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.
Up North
Alela Diane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is as loose as your teeth
Till the sand in your shoes
Is a muse that you choose
'Cause the kids from your womb are
The dirt from your sheets
And to know that you're done with
'Cause there came a year when
The bones that you're made of
The clothes that you made
Were not cheaper that way
Slow your dance
Darling please, slow down, mmm
Stop your strutting, mmm
Calm those fingers now
Ah mmmhmm
Ah mmmhmm
Do you stare with your eyes
And things gone awry
You fear that your shadow
Will grow when die
And the salt of the skin was
The stranger within
The arms round your knees
Are big, can you please
Slow your dance
Momma please, slow down, mmm
Stop your strutting, mmm
Calm those fingers now
Slow your dance
Momma please, slow down, mmm
Stop your strutting, mmm
Calm those fingers now
The lyrics to Alela Diane's song "Up North" speak to the idea that sometimes life can feel overwhelming and we need to slow down and take things one step at a time. The singer seems to be addressing a motherly figure, asking her to slow down and calm herself because life's challenges can be difficult. The opening lines "Do you chew till the day/Is as loose as your teeth/Till the sand in your shoes/Is a muse that you choose" suggest that sometimes we need to hold onto something tangible, like the sand in our shoes, to remind us of the beauty of life and not get lost in the chaos. The following lines "The kids from your womb are/The dirt from your sheets" further enhance the idea that life can be messy and it's important to remember the beauty in it all.
The next few lines "And to know that you're done with/You're sewing my sheets/Cause there came a year when/The bones that you're made of/The clothes that you made/Were not cheaper that way" suggest that the mother figure might be tired of the repetitiveness of life and wants to break free from it. The repetition of the line "slow your dance" throughout the song echoes the idea of slowing down and taking things one step at a time. The final lines "Do you stare with your eyes/And things gone awry/You fear that your shadow/Will grow when die/And the salt of the skin was/The stranger within/The arms round your knees/Are big, can you please" suggest that even in moments of fear and uncertainty, it's important to ask for help and let others guide us.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you chew till the day
Do you worry incessantly until daybreak
Is as loose as your teeth
Until the day becomes as uncertain as your teeth.
Till the sand in your shoes
Until even the uncomfortable moments of your journey inspire you
Is a muse that you choose
Until the grit of the road becomes your creative inspiration
'Cause the kids from your womb are
Because the descendants of your soul are
The dirt from your sheets
The experiences of your past
And to know that you're done with
To finally recognize that you've exhausted
You're sewing my sheets
The older ways of making yourself comfortable
'Cause there came a year when
Since there was once a year when
The bones that you're made of
Your very composition
The clothes that you made
The identity that you have fashioned for yourself
Were not cheaper that way
Were not less valuable as a result of your effort
Slow your dance
Take things more cautiously
Darling please, slow down, mmm
My dearest, please proceed with more care
Stop your strutting, mmm
Stop showing off your success
Calm those fingers now
Let yourself rest
Ah mmmhmm
Ah mmmhmm
Do you stare with your eyes
Do you gaze with a clear vision
And things gone awry
Even when everything falls apart
You fear that your shadow
You're scared of the dark parts of your being
Will grow when die
The negative pieces will overshadow your legacy
And the salt of the skin was
The sweat of your hard work had become
The stranger within
Strangeness has crept within you
The arms round your knees
The embrace of those closest to you
Are big, can you please
Are large challenges - can you please
Slow your dance
Take things more cautiously
Momma please, slow down, mmm
Mother, please proceed with more care
Stop your strutting, mmm
Stop showing off your success
Calm those fingers now
Let yourself rest
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.