He has appeared in feature films such as "Coco Before Chanel", "Best Laid Plans", "Jurassic Park III", "Face/Off", and the first two films of the "Goal!" trilogy. He is featured on the soundtracks of "Laurel Canyon" and "Janie Jones".
Shade & Honey
Alessandro Nivola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a thousand years
It's like a civil war
Of pain and of cheer
But if you was a horse
I could help you with your chains
I could ride you through the fields
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
I grab diamonds, write you a poem
'Cause no one here can save you
She's returning to the Earth
But one day she'll be silver
Stars are dying in my chest
Till I see you again
She was born with the wings of a hawk
Where she combs her hair with blood
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
May your shade be sweet
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes...
May your shade be sweet
In Alessandro Nivola's song "Shade & Honey," the lyrics explore the complexities of a relationship between two people. The opening lines express the deep connection that the singer feels toward the other person, stating that he could look into their face for a thousand years. However, this connection is not all positive, as the next line describes it as a "civil war" of "pain and of cheer." This suggests that the relationship is plagued by conflict and turmoil, but there are still moments of happiness and love.
The next section of the song takes a somewhat unexpected turn, as the singer imagines the other person as a horse that he could save from its chains and ride through fields with. This shift in imagery suggests a desire to care for and protect the other person.
The final section of the song returns to the earlier themes of sweetness and light, as the singer wishes for the other person's "shade" to be sweet and float upon lakes, and imagines a world where the sun is made of honey. This could be interpreted as a desire for a more harmonious relationship between the two of them.
Line by Line Meaning
I could look in your face
I have known you for so long that I can recognize every single feature of your face and know everything that you are feeling just by looking at it.
For a thousand years
Our connection has been so deep and intimate that it feels like it could have lasted a thousand years and I would still have the same feelings as I do now.
It's like a civil war
Our relationship is complex and full of opposing emotions, sometimes it feels like a struggle between joy and agony - like a civil war in our hearts.
Of pain and of cheer
Our relationship has moments of great joy and happiness, as well as pain and sadness. It is these extremes that make it all the more beautiful.
But if you was a horse
If you were in trouble or struggling, I would be there to help you and be there like a protective and caring cavalryman.
I could help you with your chains
If you were feeling bound or restricted in any way, I would be there to help you break free and move forward without any constraints holding you back.
I could ride you through the fields
I would take you on a journey through the beauty and freedom of nature, riding alongside you through fields of wild flowers and allowing you to escape for a while and take a break from the struggles of reality.
By your fiery mane
I would be right by your side, never too far away, observing and admiring your vibrant, independent and free spirit as you explore the wonders of the world with wild abandon.
May your shade be sweet
May your memory, when you have passed, be a sweet and comforting one, bringing nothing but joy and happiness to those who knew you and loved you.
And float upon the lakes
May your memory be light and peaceful, drifting and gliding through the calm and tranquil waters, flowing through the streams and rivers of time, always there to remind us of your beauty and grace.
Where the sun will be
In the afterlife, or wherever your spirit may go next, may it be a place where the sun shines bright, radiating its powerful warmth and energy to all who bask in its glow.
Made of honey
May this place, wherever it may be, be full of joy and sweetness, like the nectar of honey, providing nourishment and sustenance to all who are lucky enough to experience it.
I grab diamonds, write you a poem
I would show you how much you mean to me in every way possible, writing beautiful works of art that highlight your beauty, intelligence and strength, hoping to capture just a tiny portion of the greatness that is you.
'Cause no one here can save you
I would always be there to protect and guide you, but at the end of the day, no one can truly save you from yourself or your choices, ultimately, that is something you must decide for yourself.
She's returning to the Earth
When your time comes and your spirit returns to the earth, may you be at peace, surrounded by the beauty and wonder of nature, returning to the bosom of where all life began.
But one day she'll be silver
Even though death will come for us all, it is only a transition from one state of being to another, and in the end, we will come out the other side as something new and beautiful, shining like silver in the light.
Stars are dying in my chest
The pain of losing you and the thought of you leaving has taken a heavy toll on me, causing me to feel like the stars within me are dying one by one, slowly extinguishing the light of hope that is left.
Till I see you again
Once we are reunited, the stars within me will be reignited and illuminated, shining with an even brighter and more vibrant light than before, once again filling me with a sense of love and wonder like nothing else can.
She was born with the wings of a hawk
From the moment you were born, you have always been a free spirit, soaring high and free like a hawk in the sky, exploring and conquering all that life has to offer.
Where she combs her hair with blood
You have seen and been through so much pain and hardship, yet you continue to rise above it all, combing through the tangled web of life's difficulties with a sense of purpose and determination, drawing strength from each and every experience.
May your shade be sweet
May your memory be something that we cherish and hold dear, bringing us a sense of peace and contentment in a world that is often cruel and unforgiving.
And float upon the lakes
May your memory be something that fills us with a sense of calm and tranquility, floating gently upon the serene waters of life, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of the world.
Where the sun will be
May the next life, wherever it takes you, be a place where the warmth and radiance of the sun surrounds and embraces you, filling you with a sense of love and comfort.
Made of honey
May this place, wherever it may be, be full of sweetness and light, like the honey that nourishes and sustains us, providing us with strength and the vital energy that we need to keep going.
Writer(s): Mark Linkous
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@madeline7116
It feels like being in love with someone who doesn't exist... yet
@HT-in-Alabama
This song took me back to California in 1966 when I was 11 years old and lived in Oxnard before the gangs, violence, and pollution.
@RogieVixen
This is a beautiful song, and everything about this version is perfect.
@KellyMark
RogieVixen Yes one of my favorites! Glad that you enjoyed it :)
@marlyntorres5660
Love everything about this song!!
@KellyMark
same here :) Love it so much myself!
@frankabney5850
From the first hearing of this song in the movie I have dearly loved it. I wish I had someone to feel like this about and to share it with them...
@Kimberly_K_
👋🏼😘
@jochilders4170
It's about you and how beautiful and precious you are 🤗🌬💋
@stephen69honanie51
I'm here to share it's beauty 😃