Where so many songwriters stretch for their highest notes, hoping to impress and astound, Duvekot bravely mines her deep reaches, where the dark feelings lurk. It softens her phrasing, leading us in with whispers, letting us know she believes every word she sings.
Her melodies seem like suddenly occurring thoughts, matching the hushed, conversational allure of her singing. They feel so immediate, so in synch with her lyrics; and yet also snugly rooted, oddly familiar, like memories you can't quite recall.
She sings, and writes, as if she thinks songs are important; not means to an end, but tools of survival. And for her, that's just what they are.
In 2006 Antje was a featured guest performer at the ten-year reunion concert of the contemporary Celtic band Solas, who performed two of her songs.
Merry-go-round
Antje Duvekot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere someone is standing at the foothills of their dreams
Someone got a paintbrush, is painting over doubts
Someone opened up his eyes and saw the sun coming out
Someone was captive and found the courage to get off
From a boulder in the well, somewhere the rain has stopped
Someone is finding the place where they belong
And the summer boys are headed for the falls to kiss the girls
With their impatient hands groping honey breasts and curls
They are filled with desire
And high in the hills there's a baby being born
As forgiveness and peace wash over bruises and sores
People bridging the distance over nettles and thorns
Everyone aboard on the merry-go-round
Some things will rise up so that others come down
If the devil don't dance, heaven won't shine
It's a mighty thick haze and it's a pretty thin line
If the facuet is tightened up the love won't flow
If the love isn't bright enough the corn won't grow
If the night isn't dark enough the moon won't glow
A rich man counting money, a tired man counting sheep
While the safe man counts his blessings, the hungry man has beans
There's a million people praying, raising up their eyes
To what turns out to be the same god, the same sky
We are slightly scared of death, a little bit afraid
So we celebrate everything we can think to celebrate
We shall sing out loud to keep the hounds away
Everyone aboard on the merry-go-round
Some things will rise up so that others come down
If the devil don't dance, heaven won't shine
It's a mighty thick haze and it's a pretty thin line
If the facuet is tightened up the love won't flow
If the love isn't bright enough the corn won't grow
If the night isn't dark enough the moon won't glow
Prisons will crumble and governments will fall
It's the order of freedom to be preceded by walls
Cause the truth would be worthless if no one ever lied
So we carry our shame in the interest of pride
And we have all these questions to make us go roam
And we've got all this distance to make us come home
As the sun burns, a child learns, the tide churns, the world turns
Everyone aboard on the merry-go-round
Some things will rise up so that others come down
If the devil don't dance, heaven won't shine
It's a mighty thick haze and it's a pretty thin line
If the facuet is tightened up the love won't flow
If the love isn't bright enough the corn won't grow
If the night isn't dark enough the moon won't glow
The song "Merry-Go-Round" by Antje Duvekot is a powerful depiction of the ups and downs of life. The lyrics tell a story of how individuals can find courage, hope, and strength in life, even during times of despair. The song talks about the resiliency of individuals and how, despite facing challenges, people keep moving forward. The line "someone was captive and found the courage to get off" exemplifies this idea of personal growth and resilience.
Duvekot has a way of singing that invites listeners to reflect on their lives and embrace the beauty and pain of living. The song also highlights the fact that life is unpredictable and always moving. There are moments of happiness as well as moments of sorrow. The line "It's a mighty thick haze and it's a pretty thin line" emphasizes this sense of uncertainty and the recognition that anything can happen at any given moment.
Overall, "Merry-Go-Round" is a moving song that encourages listeners to embrace the good and the bad in life and to keep moving forward despite the struggles we may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone is tossing petals in a stream
Someone is making a peaceful offering to the natural world
Somewhere someone is standing at the foothills of their dreams
Someone is at the beginning of their journey towards their aspirations
Someone got a paintbrush, is painting over doubts
Someone is overcoming their fears through creativity
Someone opened up his eyes and saw the sun coming out
Someone is realizing that things are improving
Someone was captive and found the courage to get off
Someone is breaking free from their constraints
From a boulder in the well, somewhere the rain has stopped
A difficult obstacle has been overcome and the situation is improving
Someone is finding the place where they belong
Someone is discovering their true purpose and finding contentment
Everyday is summer somewhere in the world
There is always happiness somewhere in the world, even if it isn't where you are
And the summer boys are headed for the falls to kiss the girls
Young and carefree people are enjoying the excitement of new romance
With their impatient hands groping honey breasts and curls
Their youthful exuberance leads them to act impulsively and excitedly
They are filled with desire
Young people are driven by passionate feelings of longing
And high in the hills there's a baby being born
New life is being brought into the world
As forgiveness and peace wash over bruises and sores
A sense of healing and reconciliation is occurring
People bridging the distance over nettles and thorns
People are overcoming hardships to connect with each other
Everyone aboard on the merry-go-round
Everyone is part of the endless cycle of life
Some things will rise up so that others come down
Change is inevitable and everything is constantly shifting
If the devil don't dance, heaven won't shine
You must experience bad things to appreciate the good things in life
It's a mighty thick haze and it's a pretty thin line
Life is complex and fragile
If the facuet is tightened up the love won't flow
If you don't open yourself up to love, you won't experience it
If the love isn't bright enough the corn won't grow
If you don't put effort into nurturing love, it won't flourish
If the night isn't dark enough the moon won't glow
You must experience darkness to appreciate the light
A rich man counting money, a tired man counting sheep
People from all walks of life are occupied with their own issues
While the safe man counts his blessings, the hungry man has beans
Different people have different priorities and things to be thankful for
There's a million people praying, raising up their eyes
People seek guidance and support from a higher power
To what turns out to be the same god, the same sky
Despite different names for religions or beliefs, we are all part of the same world
We are slightly scared of death, a little bit afraid
Fear of the unknown unites all of humanity
So we celebrate everything we can think to celebrate
We find joy in everyday experiences
We shall sing out loud to keep the hounds away
We use music and celebration to fend off negativity and fear
Prisons will crumble and governments will fall
Society will change and evolve over time
It's the order of freedom to be preceded by walls
Freedom often comes after periods of restriction or oppression
Cause the truth would be worthless if no one ever lied
We appreciate honesty because of the existence of dishonesty
So we carry our shame in the interest of pride
We try to save face and maintain a sense of dignity
And we have all these questions to make us go roam
Curiosity drives us to explore and seek answers
And we've got all this distance to make us come home
Experiencing distance can make us appreciate our roots and origins
As the sun burns, a child learns, the tide churns, the world turns
Life proceeds naturally, constantly and endlessly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Antje Duvekot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyc7517
Ok, only 5 years late on my post... but I think many of us feel jealous of Antje's friends singing along to this great song.. but I could not find the lyrics anywhere so... here is (as close as I could render) a copy of the lyrics so you can sing along too.
Antje Duvekot - Merry Go Round - Lyrics
Someone is tossing petals in the stream
somewhere someone is standing at the foot hills of their dreams
Someone got a paint brush is painting over doubts
someone opened up his eyes and saw the sun coming out
Someone was captive and found the courage to get off
threw a boulder in the well somewhere the rain has stopped
someone is finding the place where they belong
Everyday is summer, somewhere in the world
and the summer boys are headed for the thoughts to kiss the girls
with their impatient hands, groping honey, breasts and curls
they are filled with desire
And high in the hills, there’s a baby being born
there’s forgiveness and peace
watch over bruises and sores
people bridging the distance over nettles and thorns
Chorus
Everyone aboard on the merry go round
some things will rise up so that others come down
if the devil don’t dance, heaven won’t shine
it’s a mighty thick haze, and it’s a pretty thin line
If the faucet is tightened up, the love won’t flow
if the love isn’t bright enough, the corn won’t grow
if the night isn’t dark enough the moon won’t glow
Rich man counting money
Tired man counting sheep
while the Saved man counts his blessings
the hungry man his beans
there’s a million people praying raising up their eyes
to what turns out to be the same God, the same sky
we are slightly scared of death, a little bit afraid
so we celebrate everything we can think to celebrate
we shall sing out loud to keep the hounds away
Repeat Chorus
Prisons will crumble and governments will fall
it’s the order of freedom to be preceded by walls
cause the truth will be worthless if no one every lies
so we carried our shame in the interest of pride
and we have all these questions to make us go wrong
and we’ve got all this distance to make us come home
as the sun burns, a child learns, the tide churns, the world turns
Repeat Chorus -> End
@courtneyawalsh
A longtime fave. 🙏🏼🎡😘
@bryceanwhimsey
I have been listening to this song for years. In a small but important way, it's one of the more beautiful things I've ever found. Well done, Antje.
@stephencady6600
I found this song recently and listen to it so many times already. It’s truly great!
@danprobert1295
If you get the chance to watch Antje live, don't miss it for the world. It doesn't get more real. And real is hard to find.
@JoMoMoss
Just discovered this song today ... & I can't get enough of it ... shared everywhere! ..... a great-big LIKE!!!!!! ... :-)
@keesschoone6672
Absolutely wonderful song! Love the poetry by Antje.
@tralicebracy4720
Love these lyrics
@williamr98
You helped me get through the last year-and-a-half of COVID - thank you Antje!
@TheTree3
love this song, wicked awesome, lyrics are sweet to reflect on, very very good!!!!!
@SpaceCowboyToo
So many beautiful and talented singer-songwriters . . . so little time . . . [sigh]
Antje is lovely and awesome! Go girl! :)