In 2002, she released The Song They Sang... When Rome Fell. In 2003, she was a winner of the New Folk Competition, at the Kerrville Folk Festival. In 2004, her second album, Hymns for the Exiled, was released (Waterbug Records).
On 8 Dec 2006, Anaïs' 'folk opera' "Hadestown" débuted (written / produced in collaboration with composer Michael Chorney & director Ben T. Matchstick). On 13 Feb 2007, her third album, The Brightness was released (Righteous Babe).
Hadestown, a concept album based on the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, was released on March 9, 2010. It features contributions from Justin Vernon as Orpheus, Ani DiFranco as Persephone, Greg Brown as Hades, and Ben Knox Miller as Hermes; Anais herself sings the part of Eurydice.
Her album, 'Young Man in America' was released on Wilderland Records in the UK on February 13, 2012 and in the US on February 28, 2012.
Namesake
Anaïs Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've torn out page after page
I have lain with the shadows you threw
when you danced with the bright colored lights of the stage
hey and aren't you grateful?
say and ain't you got fun?
being so good at what you do
doing it right in front of everyone
I want to know you!
how you roll like the rolling waters
you rise like the bright morning stars
you go fast like the freight train going so fast
and I don't even know who you are
but I would not disappoint you
if you let me kiss your mouth
if you let me get to the bottom of you
if you let me find you out
everybody knows you
nobody knows you!
everybody knows you
I want to know you!
o, but I, in the name of my namesake
am a beautiful fly on the wall of
your four-chambered heart-break
a spy in the house of your love
Anaïs Mitchell's song Namesake is a gentle yet haunting tale of unrequited love. The singer is infatuated with a famous musician, and in longing to get close to them, sings about all of the ways in which they have tried to connect, from listening to their albums to secretly observing them from afar. The lyrics evoke feelings of both admiration and envy, and the chorus "everybody knows you, I want to know you" highlights the desire to bridge the gap between fame and anonymity.
One of the most striking verses in the song is when the singer speaks about their desire to explore the musician's depths: "if you let me get to the bottom of you/if you let me find you out." This speaks to the human desire for intimacy and understanding, as well as the belief that there is always more to a person than meets the eye, even someone as seemingly well-known as a celebrity.
The song's final verse is particularly poignant, as the singer acknowledges that they do not truly know the musician and could never be a part of their life on the same level as others. They are "a beautiful fly on the wall" who can only observe from a distance, a "spy in the house of your love." This captures the sense of isolation that comes with unrequited love, and the tragic beauty in being able to appreciate someone from afar.
Line by Line Meaning
I've worn out all of your records
I've listened to all your music until it's worn out.
I've torn out page after page
I've read through all your pages until they are torn.
I have lain with the shadows you threw
I have been with the people you left behind and ignored.
when you danced with the bright colored lights of the stage
When you danced on stage in the limelight.
hey and aren't you grateful?
Aren't you thankful for all the attention you've received?
say and ain't you got fun?
Don't you have fun while doing what you love?
being so good at what you do
You're so skilled at your craft.
doing it right in front of everyone
Performing in front of a large audience.
everybody knows you
Everyone is familiar with you and your talent.
I want to know you!
I want to understand you beyond what everyone knows.
how you roll like the rolling waters
You move freely like water flowing down a river.
you rise like the bright morning stars
You stand out and shine brightly like the stars during the morning.
you go fast like the freight train going so fast
You move quickly like a train going at high speeds.
and I don't even know who you are
I am not aware of your true self, beyond your talent.
but I would not disappoint you
I would not let you down if given the chance to get closer.
if you let me kiss your mouth
If we connect intimately and honestly.
if you let me get to the bottom of you
If you allow me to truly understand and know the real you.
if you let me find you out
If you give me a chance to uncover your hidden self.
nobody knows you!
No one truly knows who you are beyond appearances and performances.
o, but I, in the name of my namesake
I, in the name of my ancestors, identify with those who are ignored behind the scenes.
am a beautiful fly on the wall of
I am an eloquent observer of your private and personal life.
your four-chambered heart-break
I witness and empathize with the pain and struggles of your emotional life.
a spy in the house of your love
I am someone who watches over and cares about the inner workings of your heart and romantic relationships.
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.