Alina Hardin has been touring with Alela for a while, she also sang harmony vocals on Alela’s To Be Still album. Alina grew up in Nevada City, singing along with her mother and sister to Alan Lomax’s book of American Folk Songs. She bought her first guitar at 18 and her songs are full of stories and poetry and memories. She sings a new song, Crying Wolf, as well as sharing a version of Townes Van Zandt’s Rake – taken from his classic 1971 album, Delta Momma Blues – with Alela.
Amidst the Movement
Alela Diane featuring Alina Hardin Lyrics
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I was calm and so at ease
Nothing as pure, nothing as silent
As swimming deep in the emerald waters
I held my breath, I prayed to granite
A golden ring down in the depths
You needed time, so I had patience
But I gave up just so you know
And shadows can fade if you cast them away
Tie them to this rusty chain,
Down and down to the rocky bottom
Shadows can fade if you cast them away
Tie them to this rusty chain,
Down and down to the rocky bottom
You talk of birds, and understand them
I took it in and heard the trees
A trail we followed, impassable till snow melt
A stone that shatters with your throw
I watch the air fall upon the surface
Each perfect ring had a glinting glow
My love was up for the taking
Now it's been given back to him
And shadows can fade if you cast them away
Tie them to this rusty chain,
Down and down to the rocky bottom
Shadows can fade if you cast them away
Tie them to this rusty chain,
Down and down to the rocky bottom
A golden ring down in the depths
My love's been given back to him
A golden ring down in the depths
My love's been given back to him
My love's been given back to him
My love's been given back to him
The lyrics of "Amidst the Movement" by Alela Diane and Alina Hardin explores the temporary sense of peace and tranquility found within the chaos and uncertainty of life. The opening lines, "For just a moment, amidst the movement, I was calm and so at ease," suggests that the singer has found a momentary respite from the commotion around them. The serene imagery of swimming in emerald waters and holding one's breath in prayer to granite amplifies this sense of peacefulness.
The mention of a Golden Ring down in the depths and the patience the singer had suggests a past relationship or situation that required perseverance from the singer. However, the singer ultimately gives up, knowing that the relationship or situation was not worth the effort. The singer acknowledges the importance of casting away shadows to find clarity and prevent them from returning.
The song ends with the repetition of "My love's been given back to him," which implies a bittersweet release of a past relationship. The song's tone is melancholic yet introspective, suggesting that seeking peace amidst the chaos of life may come at great personal cost.
Line by Line Meaning
For just a moment, amidst the movement
In the midst of chaos and motion, there was a fleeting moment of tranquility.
I was calm and so at ease
I experienced a sense of peace and tranquility.
Nothing as pure, nothing as silent
It was a very pure and silent moment, unlike any other.
As swimming deep in the emerald waters
It felt like swimming in deep, green waters.
I held my breath, I prayed to granite
I was so moved that I was holding my breath and at a loss for words.
A golden ring down in the depths
There is a golden ring buried deep in the water.
You needed time, so I had patience
I was willing to be patient because you needed time.
But I gave up just so you know
In the end I gave up on waiting, and I want you to know this.
And shadows can fade if you cast them away
It's possible for shadows to disappear if you let them go.
Tie them to this rusty chain,
Bind these shadows to a rusty chain.
Down and down to the rocky bottom
Bring them down, deep to the bottom, where they belong.
You talk of birds, and understand them
You have a deep appreciation and understanding for birds.
I took it in and heard the trees
I tried to understand the trees and their sounds that you spoke about.
A trail we followed, impassable till snow melt
We followed a path that was blocked until the snow melted.
A stone that shatters with your throw
You threw a stone so hard that it shattered.
I watch the air fall upon the surface
I observed the air as it descended onto the surface.
Each perfect ring had a glinting glow
The rings left by the air had a sparkling glow.
My love was up for the taking
My love was available for the taking.
Now it's been given back to him
But now, I have given it back to him.
A golden ring down in the depths
Once again, there is a golden ring buried deep in the water.
My love's been given back to him
My love has been returned to him.
My love's been given back to him
My love has been returned to him.
My love's been given back to him
My love has been returned to him.
Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
leswoodies2
Thoses two voices just match