She's been writing songs for as long as she can remember, and performing in folk clubs, at festivals and all manner of other venues. Her songs draw from myths and legends but put a contemporary twist on the stories - they've been described as "the iron cosh in the velvet glove".
Anne has toured in the UK, the US and Ireland, and is known as a storyteller as well as a songwriter.
"Icarus" is possibly her best known song, and has been recorded and performed by an increasing number of other artists, most notably Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. "A Flame in Avalon" is her third solo album and is very nearly out of stock in hard copies.
Icarus
Anne Lister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So when you said you'd reach the sky, thought it was a way of talking
But you told me you'd build some
Wings, you'd found out how it could be done
But I was doubtful of everything, never thought you'd reach the sun.
You were so clever with your hands, I watched you for hours
With your glue and rubber bands, feathers and lace and flowers
Began to envy you your flight, like some hero's story.
You asked me to go along with you, tried all ways to dare me
But I looked at the sky so blue and said the height would scare me
But I carried the wings for you up the path to the cliff face
Kissed you goodbye and watched your eyes already bright with sunlight.
It was so wonderful at the start to watch you soaring higher
It was a pain in my heart—the wings seemed tipped with fire
Like some seagull or some lark heading for the heaven
Like some ember or some spark vanishing from earth for ever.
And I believed you'd reach the sun, I believed all you'd told me
Do a thing no man had ever done and catch a star to please me
And then I saw the white wings fold, saw the feathers tremble
Watched you drop like a ball of gold, the waves and waters ripple.
Well some are some who are born to rise and some are born to follow
Some who head right for the skies, some walk in the hollow
And as I watched your body fall I knew that really you had won
For your grave was not the earth but the reflection of the sun.
The song "Icarus" by Anne Lister tells the story of a relationship where one person has grandiose dreams of reaching the sky with their own self-made wings. The singer, however, is skeptical and more fond of staying grounded. Although the dreamer builds the wings and convinces the singer to come along, the singer ultimately watches as the dreamer plummets to their death. The singer realizes that some people are meant to soar and some are meant to stay on the ground, and while the dreamer may have failed to reach the sun, they still won in their own way by being true to themselves.
The lyrics are a metaphor for how people have different aspirations and pathways in life. The dreamer represents the courageous individuals who are willing to take risks and chase their dreams, while the singer represents those who are content with a more stable and predictable life. The singer's skepticism and fear represent the doubts that we all have when considering the path less traveled, but also highlight the importance of having a supportive partner who will carry the torch when we may be too scared to go on.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that the pursuit of our dreams is a journey that is sometimes fraught with danger and risk, but it is ultimately a journey worth taking.
Line by Line Meaning
I never wanted to fly high: I was too fond of walking
Anne Lister didn't aspire to great heights; she was content with walking.
So when you said you'd reach the sky, thought it was a way of talking
When her partner mentioned flying, she didn't take it seriously.
But you told me you'd build some Wings, you'd found out how it could be done
Her partner was confident in his ability to build wings and fly.
But I was doubtful of everything, never thought you'd reach the sun.
Anne Lister had doubts about her partner's ability to fly too high.
You were so clever with your hands, I watched you for hours
Anne Lister admired her partner's handiwork and spent hours watching him make the wings.
With your glue and rubber bands, feathers and lace and flowers
Her partner used various materials to create the wings.
And the finished wings gleamed so bright, like some bird of glory
The wings looked majestic and shone brightly.
Began to envy you your flight, like some hero's story.
Anne Lister started to feel envious of her partner's ability to fly.
You asked me to go along with you, tried all ways to dare me
Her partner tried to convince Anne Lister to join him on his flight.
But I looked at the sky so blue and said the height would scare me
Anne Lister was hesitant to fly because of the height.
But I carried the wings for you up the path to the cliff face
Despite not wanting to fly, Anne Lister helped her partner carry the wings to the cliff.
Kissed you goodbye and watched your eyes already bright with sunlight.
Anne Lister said goodbye to her partner and watched as he prepared to fly.
It was so wonderful at the start to watch you soaring higher
At first, it was exciting to see her partner fly higher and higher.
It was a pain in my heart—the wings seemed tipped with fire
As her partner flew higher, Anne Lister's excitement turned to worry.
Like some seagull or some lark heading for the heaven
Her partner looked like a bird flying toward the heavens.
Like some ember or some spark vanishing from earth for ever.
Her partner looked like a flame disappearing into the sky and never returning.
And I believed you'd reach the sun, I believed all you'd told me
Despite her doubts, Anne Lister believed that her partner would achieve his goal of flying high.
Do a thing no man had ever done and catch a star to please me
She thought her partner would be the first person to fly high enough to catch a star for her.
And then I saw the white wings fold, saw the feathers tremble
Anne Lister watched as her partner's wings started to fail.
Watched you drop like a ball of gold, the waves and waters ripple.
Her partner fell from the sky like a golden ball, creating ripples in the water beneath.
Well some are some who are born to rise and some are born to follow
Anne Lister acknowledges that some people are meant to lead, while others are bound to follow.
Some who head right for the skies, some walk in the hollow
Some people aspire to great heights, while others are content with less.
And as I watched your body fall I knew that really you had won
Despite his death, Anne Lister believed her partner had achieved his goal of flying high.
For your grave was not the earth but the reflection of the sun.
Instead of being buried in the earth, her partner's resting place was in the sky, reflected in the sun.
Contributed by Peyton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
james burns
This is a song of complete lyrical beauty , and such a joy to hear the original version sung so beautifully by the author. It is a "modern" classic AND DESERVES A WIDE AUDIENCE. I much enjoyed reading the comments of all the other contributors--- OF a tale well told with unique phrasing and choice wording which amplifies this perfect song.
Bruce Levitan
I really beautiful song that haunts you for ever after hearing it. Fabulous to hear it from the person who wrote it.
Phil Cooper
Well done, Anne. This is still one of my favorite songs of yours.
crowdercref
It is the most beautiful song, exquisitely crafted, perfectly delivered, very well accompanied and recorded, and now complimented by the beautiful imagery.
gordon brown
I liked Martin's version, this original is superb. Thank you
allan james
I've just ordered from Ann a "new" copy of the original LP, "Burnt Feathers" on Fellside. This song alone is worth the cost and I believe Ann deserves to make some money on the other remainders she has. Get in touch and spend! This is one of the greatest songs written in our language, perfect lyrics, perfect tune, perfectly crafted. As a parent, I can never hear this without getting a bit weepy. Thanks Ann.
Pam Jarvis
is this album available on a cd ?
TheAnneLister
@Pam Jarvis A very belated response! Sadly, no - "Burnt Feathers" is an album for Fellside, and Fellside decided not to issue it as a CD.
Norman FitzNicely
I recall you giving me a tape of this song, and Moth, over 35 years ago, Anne, after a night at the Angel FC in Bedford. Beautiful as ever. What surprises me is how I have misremembered the words over that time.
Lynne CeeGee
I got here via Nic Jones, after someone lambasted him for covering the song. I love Nic Jones. But so glad to find this... and shall now go an explore her other work. So you see - don't damn the covers!