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.
To Begin
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Golden light, oh what a fight
Another sleepless night, her dress is filigree
She tells me all her secrets then I'm back on the street
It's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
When you don't know where to begin
It's the devil, it's the boil, it's the black of night
Do you see the fire heavy lit before its time?
Know you the color of the end of the end of the end
Silence is dancing to a beating drum
Money is nothing but a loaded gun
And it's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
When you don't know where to begin
It's the devil, it's the boil, it's the black of night
In your head, in your head
It's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
When you don't know where to begin
It's the devil, it's the boil, it's the black of night
In your head, in your head
And it's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
When you don't know where to begin
In the midst of a moment can you break the boy?
Can you tame the demon?
Light a candle in the dark, in the dark, in dark
In the dark, light a candle in the dark, in dark
In dark, in dark, oh in the dark, light a candle in the dark
In dark, in dark, in dark
In Alela Diane's song To Begin, the singer is seen descending a staircase towards a stone house, where she is met by an ethereal golden light that clashes with her inner turmoil. She shares her deepest secrets before bidding farewell to return to the street, enveloped once again by the darkness of her thoughts. The singer acknowledges the difficulty in helping herself when she doesn't know where to start - the "devil," the "boil" and the "black of night" which exist in her head. She goes on to ask introspective questions about the inevitability of the end and the power of silence, giving an interesting perspective on the themes of time and mortality.
The lyrics are deeply introspective and can be interpreted in many ways, including as an exploration of the emotional and mental struggles the singer is battling inside her mind. The idea that it is difficult to help oneself when you don't know where to begin can be applied universally, to anyone who feels they are stuck in a rut, unable to move forward. The "devil," "boil," and "black of night" could represent a multitude of personal demons, be it negative thoughts, past traumas or insecurities.
The final lines of the song ask if it is possible to tame one's demons and break free from whatever is holding them back. The call to "light a candle in the dark" suggests that hope can be found, no matter how dark the situation might seem, providing a message of optimism and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the stairs to the stone house
Starting a journey towards a place made of sturdy material
Golden light, oh what a fight
A beautiful and intense struggle
Another sleepless night, her dress is filigree
A restless evening with delicate details
She tells me all her secrets then I'm back on the street
Receiving information, then returning to where you came from
It's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
Assisting your own being is a difficult task
When you don't know where to begin
Especially when you're unsure where to start
It's the devil, it's the boil, it's the black of night
The challenges are like the devil, a painful blister, and a dark period of time
In your head, in your head
These obstacles exist primarily within your mind
Do you see the fire heavy lit before its time?
Is there any indication of an incident of premature ignition?
Know you the color of the end of the end of the end
Do you have awareness of the hue of the final conclusion?
Silence is dancing to a beating drum
A quiet atmosphere moves in response to a rhythmic sound
Money is nothing but a loaded gun
Currency holds the same danger as a weapon
And it's hard, oh it's hard to help yourself
Reiterating the previous sentiment
When you don't know where to begin
Again, beginning is a formidable challenge
In the midst of a moment can you break the boy?
Is it possible to disrupt someone's state of mind?
Can you tame the demon?
Can you gain control of the troubles within?
Light a candle in the dark, in the dark, in dark
Illuminate the darkness with a small flame
In the dark, light a candle in the dark, in dark
Once more suggesting the act of shining light in low visibility
In dark, in dark, oh in the dark, light a candle in the dark
Repetition emphasizing the importance of lighting the candle in darkness
In dark, in dark, in dark
Repeated for effect
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
greekcarrot
Another perfect album from Alela...She is ridiculously talented...)
The CC Network
Sounds good, might get this after all if the rest of the album is as upbeat as this. I found her first two albums to often be slow & drag far too long.
jijinette Orchidée
magnifique!!
lovetorontohockey
@SOILL88 i had the same opportunity and ive never heard of them before but now im a mega fan!!!
COLLIN EMMANUEL
oui bien, faut voir l'album; le morceau ne varie pas bcp quand même, peut être l'inconvénient avec ce genre d'artiste : on mise tout ou presque sur la (remarquable) voix de la chanteuse mais la musique ne se libère pas vraiment quant à elle
CKE142B
good music AND she looks Hott on the cover
Michael Z-C
04-04-2018/ starting my final paper
reglozs
yeah cool
Kim Tyrone Agapito
I visited your channel