Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. She grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.

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.

Slow Your Dancing
Alela Diane Lyrics

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Oh the church of Jesus Christ
Came a knocking on my door today
They were young missionaries
Just trying to spread their tired gospel

But I told I'd be singing my own song
Oh I told I'm singing my own song

'Cause I was thinking of my father
When I found a child in the sea cave
And I will fall into the ocean

If I dance upon that roof anymore
If I wear these crazy boots anymore
If I dance upon that roof anymore
Or wear these crazy boots

And I will chew my wrist for cabin blood
I'll sew smooth the rocks into my pillow
Until I'm singing with my husband
And whispering bout the gold

And we'll always head
Up north to find our home
Oh we'll always head
Up north to find our home
Oh we'll always head
Up north to find our home

And I'll be spinning in my skirts
And knitting tiny tiny tiny tiny little hats
And when my breath becomes an island
I won't be dancing upon that roof anymore
I won't wearing these crazy boots anymore
I won't be dancing on that roof anymore
Or wearing these crazy boots

And I will still be singing my own song
And I'll always head
Up north to find my home
Oh I will still be singing my own song
And I'll always head
Up north to find my home

Oh, I'll always head
Up north to find my home

Overall Meaning

The song "Slow Your Dancing" by Alela Diane talks about the singer's personal beliefs and experiences that shape her identity and journey. The opening verse speaks of a visit from young missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ, trying to spread their gospel. The singer then asserts her individuality by telling them that she will be singing her own song, indicating her inclination towards spiritual independence rather than relying on traditional religious teachings.

The following verses dig deeper into the singer's personal life, reflecting on her father, her love for the sea and nature, and her relationship with her husband. The line "If I dance upon that roof anymore, If I wear these crazy boots anymore" is a metaphor for moving away from a carefree, youthful lifestyle towards a more mature and responsible approach to life. She mentions "cabin blood," referring to her desire to embrace the rustic lifestyle and the grit that comes with it by sewing rocks into her pillow. Although she acknowledges that life is constantly changing and evolving, the singer maintains that she will always be singing her own song, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself in life's journey.

Overall, "Slow Your Dancing" is a song about finding one's unique identity and journey through life, embracing change and growth while remaining faithful to one's beliefs and values.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh the church of Jesus Christ
The evangelical church of Jesus Christ came knocking on my door.

Came a knocking on my door today
They came to my house today to spread their message.

They were young missionaries
The people who came to my house were young evangelists.

Just trying to spread their tired gospel
They were trying to spread a tiring message that didn't resonate with me.

But I told I'd be singing my own song
I told them that I had my own beliefs and would not be swayed by theirs.

Oh I told I'm singing my own song
I was emphatic in my declaration that I would not follow their message.

'Cause I was thinking of my father
I was reminiscing about my father when he took me to a sea cave when I was a child.

When I found a child in the sea cave
As a child I found another child in the sea cave with whom I played.

And I will fall into the ocean
Now, if I continue dancing upon the roof with my boots, I will fall off and drown in the ocean.

If I dance upon that roof anymore
If I dance on the roof any further, I will die.

If I wear these crazy boots anymore
If I keep wearing these boots, I will fall off the roof and die.

Or wear these crazy boots
I must stop wearing these boots if I want to stay safe.

And I will chew my wrist for cabin blood
I will hurt myself until I see blood instead of enjoying myself in the cabin.

I'll sew smooth the rocks into my pillow
I'll do something difficult and uncomfortable, like sleeping on rocks, to avoid dancing on the roof in dangerous boots.

Until I'm singing with my husband and whispering bout the gold
I will stay in my cabin until I am with my husband, and we can talk about our shared experiences.

And we'll always head Up north to find our home
No matter what happens, we will always head north until we find a place that feels like home.

And I'll be spinning in my skirts
When I leave the cabin, I will spend my time spinning and enjoying myself in my skirts.

And knitting tiny tiny tiny tiny little hats
I will do something small but productive, like knitting hats, to keep myself occupied and avoid dangerous activities.

And when my breath becomes an island
When I am old and tired, my breath will be my only comfort and my only escape.

I won't be dancing upon that roof anymore
When I am old, I will not dance on the roof anymore, as the risk is too great.

I won't wearing these crazy boots anymore
I will also stop wearing these dangerous boots.

And I will still be singing my own song
No matter what happens, I will always stick to my own beliefs and values.

And I'll always head Up north to find my home
I will always stay true to my roots and search for a place that truly feels like home.

Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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