The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.
A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.
Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau, and has also opened for the Decemberists, Akron/Family and Vashti Bunyan. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. According to a relatively recent interview, her second album is to be expected shortly. She now lives in Nevada City, California.
She toured Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.
Sister Self
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Solid sky
And pirate ships pulled these shoulders back
But in morning slumber I gripped the slender palm of my hand
And I felt the soft of my flesh
And I stared into my sister self
And we was running, running, running
We was breathing fast
Praying please
We were singing
We were dancing
We were clapping
Singing, dancing, clapping
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
Returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
But I've got to hold my own hand
I've got to hold my own hand
And this is my skin I feel
And these are the teeth that I clench
And the hazel of my sight
Plus the colors she wears is mine
O that color she's wearing is mine
And we was running, running, running
We was climbing, we was fighting
We was breathing fast
Praying please
We were singing
We were dancing
We were clapping
Singing, dancing, clapping
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
The song "Sister Self" by Alela Diane is a touching exploration of self-discovery and self-reliance. The opening lines set the scene of a dark and stagnant world, where a pole is not even growing in the solid black sky. The imagery is bleak and hopeless, but then the pirate ships come and pull the singer's shoulders back, giving her some sort of strength and hope for the future. However, the true turning point comes when the singer wakes up and grips the palm of her own hand, feeling the softness of her flesh and staring into her own reflection. The use of the term "sister self" suggests that the singer is seeing herself as a companion and ally, rather than an enemy or stranger.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and unease, as if the singer is fighting to hold on to this newfound sense of self. She describes herself and her sister self as running, climbing, fighting, breathing fast, and praying please. There is a sense that they are in a race against time or against some unknown foe, but they are united in their struggle. The repeated refrain of "singing, dancing, clapping" underscores the idea that even in the face of adversity, there is still joy and celebration to be found.
Ultimately, the song is about finding strength and comfort within oneself, even when the world around you is dark and uncertain. The image of returning to the hills and bringing buckets drawn from the wells suggests a return to a simpler, more grounded way of life, where the basics of survival and sustenance are valued above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
That pole isn't growing in my black solid sky
I don't see any hope or positivity in my life
And pirate ships pulled these shoulders back
I have endured trials and challenges that have made me strong
But in morning slumber I gripped the slender palm of my hand
In moments of vulnerability, I find comfort in myself
And I felt the soft of my flesh
I am aware and in tune with my own physical being
And I stared into my sister self
I reflect on who I am and what I stand for as a woman
We were returning to the hills, bringing buckets drawn from the wells
We are going back to our roots and bringing back the sustenance we need to thrive
But I've got to hold my own hand
I cannot always rely on others, I must be able to support myself
And this is my skin I feel, and these are the teeth that I clench
I am in control of my own body and the actions I take
And the hazel of my sight, plus the colors she wears is mine
I appreciate and value the unique qualities that make me who I am
We were singing, we were dancing, we were clapping
We celebrate our strength and resilience as women
We were running, running, running, we were climbing, we were fighting, we were breathing fast, praying please
We have overcome obstacles and continue to push forward, hoping for a better future
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Naomi Roslyn
The pole isn't growing in my black solid sky, solid sky
And pirate ships pulled these shoulders back
But in morning slumber, I gripped the slender palm of my hand
And I felt the soft of my flesh and I stared into my sister self
And we was running, running, running
We was climbing, we was fighting
We was breathing fast, praying please
We were singing, we were dancing
We were clapping, singing, dancing, clapping
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
Returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
But I've got to hold my own hand
I've got to hold my own hand
And this is my skin I feel
And these are the teeth that I clench
And the hazel of my sight
Plus the colors she wears is mine
O that color she's wearing is mine
And we was running, running, running
We was climbing, we was fighting
We was breathing fast, praying please
We were singing, we was dancing
We was clapping, singing, dancing, clapping
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
We were returning to the hills
Bringing buckets drawn from the wells
ana baladze
Lyrics please))
Nalena Kumar
wow