is k… Read Full Bio ↴Alexander Ebert is an American singer-songwriter born May 12, 1978
is known for being the lead singer and songwriter of the American band
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
with which he composed three studio albums:
Up from Below (2009)
Here (2012)
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (2013)
Alexander Ebert released a solo album in 2011 titled "Alexander"
In 2013 he composed the soundtrack for the movie "All is Lost" starring Robert Redford.
Also in 2013 he won a Grammy with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros for the video / documentary Big Easy Express.
January 12, 2014 Alex Ebert was honored with a Golden Globe for best soundtrack in a movie, "All is Lost"
Previously he was the leader of the band Ima Robot
Ima Robot (2003)
Monument to the Masses (2006)
Another Man's Treasure (2010)
All Is Lost
Alex Ebert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spiders with ancient eyes
Black dogs who come in herds
Old Man, the word
Old Man, the word
Raised on golden days
God love the USA
Young men today
He heard them say
Amen, Amen, Amen
I'll never say goodbye
I'll never tell you lies
I'm never gonna die
Amen, Amen, Amen
Became the power man
Raised on the ocean
His hands, wrinkled brown
Melt with the sound, melt with the sound
Heros in silver scenes
Real men never scream
Old man I heard you dream
Old man, the sound
Amen, Amen, Amen
Young man's memories
Stay with the summer leaves
Old man, we can not see
Old men decay
Slip slow away
Old man, we'll hold your face
The suns danced for your song
Old man looked around
Heard but the sound
Amen, Amen, Amen
I'll never say goodbye
I'll never tell you lies
I'm never gonna die
Amen, Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen, Amen
The song "All Is Lost" by Alex Ebert explores themes of aging, mortality, and the passing of time. The lyrics describe an old man who has lived a full life, raised in a time of prosperity and patriotism, but is now facing the decline of age. The opening lines of the song suggest that he is alone, without anyone to comfort or support him, as he is "hypnotized" by spiders and "black dogs who come in herds." These images could represent his own thoughts, fears, and regrets as he confronts his own mortality.
The second verse of the song speaks to the old man's memories, as he looks back on a time when he was young and full of energy. He remembers being raised on "golden days" and "fed on the purple haze" of youth. He has heard young men today saying "amen, amen, amen," suggesting that he may feel distant and disconnected from the younger generation. However, he vows that he will "never say goodbye," "never tell you lies," and is "never gonna die," repeating the phrase "amen, amen, amen."
The third verse shifts the focus to the old man's physical body, as his hands become "wrinkled brown" and he begins to "decay" and "slip slow away." The reference to heroes in silver scenes and real men never screaming could suggest that the old man associates his own aging with weakness and a loss of masculinity. However, the references to the sun dancing for his song and the sound he makes suggest that, despite his decline, the old man still has power and significance.
Overall, the song seems to paint a portrait of a man coming to terms with his own mortality and seeking to find meaning and significance in the face of decline and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Old Man hypnotized
The Old Man is entranced and captivated
Spiders with ancient eyes
The Old Man sees mysterious creatures with deep wisdom
Black dogs who come in herds
The Old Man sees ominous packs of canines
Old Man, the word
The Old Man represents something significant
Raised on golden days
People were brought up in an era of prosperity and extravagance
God love the USA
The people feel an unwavering patriotism for their country
Fed on the purple haze
People were consumed by a sense of unreality and psychedelic experiences
Young men today
The younger generation speaks up
He heard them say
He takes notice of their words
Amen, Amen, Amen
They reiterate their affirmation and belief
I'll never say goodbye
I will constantly be present and won't leave
I'll never tell you lies
I refuse to deceive you
I'm never gonna die
I will live on forever
Became the power man
He reaches a position of authority and influence
Raised on the ocean
He grew up on the sea, surrounded by vastness
His hands, wrinkled brown
His hands are weathered and marked with age
Melt with the sound, melt with the sound
He merges his being with auditory waves
Heros in silver scenes
Heroes appear to save the day like in movies
Real men never scream
True men don't show fear or weakness
Old man I heard you dream
They acknowledge the Old Man's aspirations
Old man, the sound
The Old Man represents a distinctive sound
Young man's memories
The youth's recollections
Stay with the summer leaves
Memories are ephemeral, much like leaves falling in autumn
Old man, we can not see
They can't understand the Old Man fully
Old men decay
As people grow old, they wither away like autumn leaves
Slip slow away
They fade away gradually
Old man, we'll hold your face
They want to remember the Old Man's image
The suns danced for your song
The universe celebrated his existence
Old man looked around
The Old Man surveys his surroundings
Heard but the sound
The only thing he comprehends is a sonorous vibration
Amen, Amen, Amen
They reaffirm their belief and faith
Writer(s): Alexander Ebert
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.