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.
Santa Fe Dream
Anaïs Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
if you should wake up in the night
there in the city of faith
where your true love lies
asleep like a baby
with her hands at her head
and the moon in your window
sheds her light on the bed
if it should happen
if you should rise alone
and go sit staring in the shadows
of all that you own
at the cloth on the table
and the cable bill
you're too old to keep moving
you're too young to keep still
all the while the rambling stars
all the while the roving moon
all the while the railroad cars
keep passing by
passing by you
if it should happen
if you should turn to see
the way that moon sheds her light
on your love where she sleeps
go lay down beside her
and wonder again
that such a small window
lets so much light in
In these lyrics, Anaïs Mitchell creates a beautiful image of someone wandering in the night, possibly unable to sleep, and finding themselves in Santa Fe, the city of faith, where their true love lies asleep. The moonlight shines on their partner sleeping peacefully with her hands at her head. The imagery of their partner sleeping like a baby signifies the innocence and vulnerability of the person and their love for her. The moon sheds light on the bed, creating a sense of transcendentalism, beautiful and magical.
Suddenly, the person imagines waking up alone in the night and is surrounded by their belongings. The cloth on the table and the cable bill represent the responsibilities and burdens of life. They ponder their age and feel stuck, unable to move forward or remain still. The rambling stars, roving moon, and passing railroad cars symbolize the passing of time and life's fleeting nature. They're questioning their purpose and meaning, wondering what lies ahead.
Finally, as the person turns to see their true love sleeping beside them, they're filled with wonder that such a small window could let so much light in. The lyrics evoke an ethereal and spiritual journey of self-discovery, finding purpose, and returning to love to find solace, hope, and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
if it should happen
In the event that it occurs
if you should wake up in the night
If you happen to awake in the middle of the night
there in the city of faith
In the place known for its religious beliefs
where your true love lies
Where you will find your one and only love
asleep like a baby
Soundly asleep, in a peaceful and restful state
with her hands at her head
With her hands resting near her head, in a comfortable position
and the moon in your window
The moonlight that shines through your window
sheds her light on the bed
Illuminates the bed, creating a source of light
if it should happen
In the event that it occurs
if you should rise alone
If you happen to get up and find yourself alone
and go sit staring in the shadows
Sit and look at the shadows created by objects
of all that you own
Your possessions
at the cloth on the table
The fabric on your table
and the cable bill
And the bill for your cable subscription
you're too old to keep moving
You're not as young as you once were, and moving is becoming more difficult
you're too young to keep still
You're not old enough to retire and be still
all the while the rambling stars
The constantly moving stars in the sky
all the while the roving moon
The ever-moving and changing shape of the moon
all the while the railroad cars
The trains that keep passing by
keep passing by
Continually moving forward
passing by you
Going past you
if it should happen
In the event that it occurs
if you should turn to see
If you happen to turn and look
the way that moon sheds her light
How the moonlight falls and illuminates the area
on your love where she sleeps
On your beloved's sleeping form
go lay down beside her
Join her in bed
and wonder again
Ponder and contemplate, as if for the first time
that such a small window
A window that appears to be quite small
lets so much light in
Allows a large amount of light to enter the room
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.