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.
The Snow
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I close my eyes, I listen to the freeway
As I close my eyes, I listen to the freeway
I miss the days when
I could hear my mother's bracelets
As she walked down the hall
I could hear the sound of her bracelets as she walked
Because today there's a dark cloud
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
And from now on the snow must fall
But maybe tomorrow it will melt
And I'll look in your eyes now
It brings me down, down down down down
The trees in your backyard
They wither somehow
And I feel a lot like them now
And I lay in your bed now
I want to listen to the blood pump through your veins
But I don't feel like I can now
And what happened to you and all the things you used to say
Because today there's a dark cloud
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
And from now on the snow must fall
But maybe tomorrow it will melt
And soon I'll be back home
And I'll listen to the cars once more
And I'll hope that we'll walk in moonlight
Talk about the world
We'll wake up real early to watch the rising sun
And then I'll look into your eyes
And I'll know that the snow will never fall again
But what happened to you and all the things you used to say
Because today there's a dark cloud
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
There's a dark cloud up above my head
And from now on the snow must fall
But maybe tomorrow it will melt
I hope that it will melt
You say it might
The lyrics to Alela Diane's song "The Snow" seem to convey a sense of loss and nostalgia. The opening lines repeat a phrase three times, emphasizing the act of closing one's eyes and listening to the sound of the freeway. This line could represent a desire to escape from the present moment, and remember the past. The following lines echo this sentiment, as the singer reminisces about the sound of her mother's bracelets as she walked down the hall. The line "I miss the days when" suggests that the singer is not satisfied with the present.
The next few lines seem to suggest that there has been a change in the singer's life, and she is struggling to adjust. The repeated line "there's a dark cloud up above my head" could represent depression or a feeling of being weighed down by something negative. The phrase "And from now on the snow must fall, but maybe tomorrow it will melt" suggests that the singer is resigned to a period of sadness or difficulty, but there is hope for the future.
The final stanza seems to offer a glimpse of a brighter future. The singer imagines walking with someone they care about in the moonlight, talking about the world. This imagery suggests a sense of connection and companionship, and the line "I'll know that the snow will never fall again" echoes the idea that there is hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
As I close my eyes, I listen to the freeway
The singer is reflecting on their present situation, perhaps listening to the sounds of everyday life in order to distract from their problems.
I miss the days when I could hear my mother's bracelets as she walked down the hall
The singer reminisces about a time when they were much younger and seemingly free from problems, able to appreciate the simple things in life.
But what happened to you and all the things you used to say? Because today there's a dark cloud up above my head
The singer seems to be addressing a former lover or friend who has changed, possibly because of problems in their own life that have had an impact on the singer as well.
And from now on the snow must fall, but maybe tomorrow it will melt
The snow is representing the problems or difficulties the artist is facing, with the hope that they will be temporary and eventually go away.
It brings me down, down down down down
The artist's mood is heavily impacted by their present situation and the changes that have occurred over time.
And soon I'll be back home, and I'll listen to the cars once more
The singer is looking forward to returning to a familiar, normal routine in their life, which provides comfort and stability.
And then I'll look into your eyes, and I'll know that the snow will never fall again
The final lines suggest a sense of hope and resolution, with the possibility of reconnecting with the person who may have caused the singer's problems and achieving a sense of closure.
Contributed by Julia D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
quememuera
You can tell that this was recorded before she figured out the strength of her own voice. She seems tentative—like she's reigning it in. But gorgeous nonetheless. She should re-record some of these songs.
Daniel H
What an impeccable voice
hendork
she sounds so vulnerable in this song yet so beautiful
NORDIN
thank you for this wondeful song!!
Radmila
wow what a beautiful song,thank you.
tanyuu
thanks for a beautiful glimpse into her early work, do please post more if you can!
TESelectronic
I agree with you. This song is special.. different from the others!
The whimsical Fuzzwald
So beautiful. ^__^
Ozzy Ruiz
Reminds me of The Microphones. Really nice.
vokuro88
beautiful voice. like feathers, muah. X)