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.
I Have Returned
Alela Diane featuring Alina Hardin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I came just as I went, I have returned
Just as the flocks do flee their nest to head down South.
When they go there is a quiet wholesome feeling in the weather
The wind keeps us inside, I'd like to be right here forever
But you never know, how the wind will blow
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
Can't say that I'm rambler, though it's true I know the road
And I shall live the past few years with one foot out the door
My man, he's no carpenter but he wears through his blue jeans
And I bet that he can dig a hole, if ever there were a need
But you never know, how the wind will blow
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
You never know how it's gonna go
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
When light comes through the window dancing colors on the wall
I'm caught between the morning and the echo of a dream
I thank the sky for knowing what was, is, and soon will be
I'm a lady as you see me for perhaps a century
But you never know, how the wind will blow
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
You never know how it's gonna go
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
The lyrics of "I Have Returned" by Alela Diane featuring Alina Hardin are filled with poetic metaphors and imagery that express the idea of uncertainty and the unpredictability of life. The song talks about the singer's return home without any clear intention, meaning that the decision wasn't premeditated but rather an impulse. The lyrics "I never planned to come back home to you, I came just as I went, I have returned" express that the return home wasn't planned or prepared.
The second verse of the song is about the uncertainty of life, and how things could change quickly and unexpectedly, just like the wind. The wind here could be interpreted as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of life, and how things can change direction, leaving us unsure of where we are going. The lyrics "But you never know how the wind will blow, and you never know who's going with it when it goes" highlight the idea of uncertainty and how we never know what life has in store for us.
The song's use of imagery is vivid and detailed, particularly in the chorus, where the light dancing through the window creates an image of waking up to a new day. The singer is caught between the morning and the echo of a dream, expressing the feeling of being in-between and not knowing exactly where she belongs. The lyrics "I'm a lady as you see me for perhaps a century" convey the idea of being timeless and unchanging, despite life's unpredictability.
Overall, "I Have Returned" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that embodies the vulnerability and uncertainty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I never planned to come back home to you
I did not have any intention of returning to you
I came just as I went, I have returned
I returned just as I left, without any change
Just as the flocks do flee their nest to head down South.
Like the birds, who migrate to the South to seek warmth
When they go there is a quiet wholesome feeling in the weather
The weather feels serene and peaceful when they leave
The wind keeps us inside, I'd like to be right here forever
The wind is strong and is forcing us to stay indoors but I'm happy being here forever
But you never know, how the wind will blow
It's impossible to predict the direction or the strength of the wind
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
It's uncertain who or what may be carried away by the wind
Can't say that I'm rambler, though it's true I know the road
I'm not a wanderer, but I've travelled this road before
And I shall live the past few years with one foot out the door
I've lived with the intention of leaving for the past few years
My man, he's no carpenter but he wears through his blue jeans
My partner is not a carpenter, but he works hard to the point of wearing through his clothes
And I bet that he can dig a hole, if ever there were a need
I am confident that he can dig a hole in case it's necessary
When light comes through the window dancing colors on the wall
Sunlight shining through the window creates a beautiful display of colors on the wall
I'm caught between the morning and the echo of a dream
I'm in a state of confusion between the present and a distant memory or fantasy
I thank the sky for knowing what was, is, and soon will be
I express gratitude to the sky for its knowledge of the past, present, and future
I'm a lady as you see me for perhaps a century
I'm presenting myself as a lady and hope to be viewed as such for the next hundred years
But you never know, how the wind will blow
It's impossible to predict the direction or the strength of the wind
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
It's uncertain who or what may be carried away by the wind
You never know how it's gonna go
It's impossible to predict how things will turn out
And you never know who's going with it when it goes
It's uncertain who or what may be carried away by the wind
Contributed by Kaitlyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Furman
this really is a great cover, you've got a great voice. Well done, keep up the good work and record some of your own stuff too!! I'd love to hear it!
Folky Seven
WOW!! You've got a fan from France now!! Just beautiful! I have both of Alela's albums but I don't have this song... Where can I find it??
DeAnna Forbes-sanchez
Yours is my favourite version of this song!
asuka
wow, it's like Alela and Diane and Joanna Newsom :) very nice