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.
Two Kids
Anaïs Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sealed up the windows so no air gets in
And there's plenty of Campbell's and beers in the basement
In case we can't get to the store or something
And my daddy told me some people hate us
They even hate me, I'm just a kid
So I asked how come, but he didn't answer
So I started thinking it was something I did
In Anaïs Mitchell's song "Two Kids," the lyrics depict a young child's perspective on their father's protective nature and a sense of vulnerability. The opening lines describe the child's belief that their father's house is the safest place, illustrated by the sealed windows that prevent any external air from entering. The mention of Campbell's (referring to Campbell's Soup) and beers in the basement highlights the father's preparedness for emergencies, ensuring there is enough food and drink in case they cannot go to the store.
However, there is an undercurrent of uneasiness as the child reveals their confusion over why some people hate them, even expressing that they fear being hated themselves. The child's innocence and lack of understanding are evident as they ask their father why they are hated, but he remains silent. This lack of response contributes to the child's self-doubt, wondering if they have done something wrong to provoke such animosity.
Through these lyrics, Mitchell portrays the innocent perspective of a child grappling with the complexities of the world around them. The song touches upon themes of safety, fear, and the struggle to comprehend hatred at a young age.
Line by Line Meaning
My daddy's house is the safest of houses
My father's house is a place where I am protected and secure
He sealed up the windows so no air gets in
He closed off the outside world to protect us from potential harm
And there's plenty of Campbell's and beers in the basement
There are ample supplies stocked in the basement in case we are unable to go to the store
In case we can't get to the store or something
These supplies are for situations where we are unable to access external resources
And my daddy told me some people hate us
My father informed me that there are individuals who harbor hostility towards us
They even hate me, I'm just a kid
These people hold animosity towards me, despite me being a mere child
So I asked how come, but he didn't answer
Curious about the reason behind their hatred, I inquired, but my father remained silent
So I started thinking it was something I did
As a result, I began to believe that their hatred was because of my actions or faults
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anais Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind