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.
Scream
Antje Duvekot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every path I take comes to an end
I might draw near before I slip out like a thief
The only reason I arrive is to leave
I will find desperation in the middle of this peace
And I will be your friend, but friend, I wouldn't count on me
For I will sell your trust that I didn't even earn
CHORUS
You are the fisherman
I am the storm
You become a baby when I hold you in my arms
You are a vessel floating upon my sea
And my waves are crashing
And I cannot hear you scream
I know that you have given everything you could
To a brain that willed, but a heart that never ever would
For it is lost, unsure, afraid and it is blind
And it will claim you were never on its side
CHORUS
I am a cold front and you are a rosebud
I am a salt mine and you are a deep cut
I am a flood wave and you are a nutshell
You are an ice patch and I am the sun
I am a sharp nail and you are a bare foot
I am a thumb tack and you are a tire
I am a fire, I am a tall cliff
I am a tall cliff and every man falls
The song "Scream" by Antje Duvekot appears to be a reflection on the singer's personal struggles with maintaining friendships and relationships. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a tendency to distance themselves from others, leaving relationships before they can fully develop. There's a sense of regret and self-awareness in the lines "The only reason I arrive is to leave" and "For I will sell your trust that I didn't even earn." It seems that the singer recognizes a pattern in their behavior but may struggle to change it.
The chorus takes a metaphorical turn, comparing the singer to a storm and the listener to a fisherman trying to weather it. This imagery suggests that the singer may be destructive or unpredictable in their relationships, with waves that crash and prevent communication ("And my waves are crashing / And I cannot hear you scream"). The line "You become a baby when I hold you in my arms" adds a layer of vulnerability to the listener's position, indicating that the relationship may be imbalanced or one-sided.
In the final verse, the singer continues to use metaphors to describe the mismatch between themselves and their relationships ("I am a cold front and you are a rosebud / I am a salt mine and you are a deep cut"). The line "I am a tall cliff and every man falls" suggests that the singer may be aware of their own flaws but unable to change them.
Overall, "Scream" is a somber reflection on the challenges of maintaining relationships, particularly when one is aware of their own faults.
Line by Line Meaning
There's not too many people that I really call my friends
I don't have a lot of close friends
And every path I take comes to an end
I haven't found my life's purpose yet
I might draw near before I slip out like a thief
I often leave abruptly and without warning
The only reason I arrive is to leave
I don't stay in one place for very long
I will find desperation in the middle of this peace
I often feel lost and unfulfilled despite external circumstances
And I will be your friend, but friend, I wouldn't count on me
I may not be a reliable friend
For I will sell your trust that I didn't even earn
I may betray your trust even if you did nothing wrong
And I won't be happy with this bridge 'til I can sit and watch it burn
I may derive joy from causing destruction and chaos
You are the fisherman
You have control over your life
I am the storm
I am unpredictable and can cause chaos
You become a baby when I hold you in my arms
You seek comfort and safety in my presence
You are a vessel floating upon my sea
You are at the mercy of me and my actions
And my waves are crashing
My actions are causing chaos and instability
And I cannot hear you scream
I am ignoring the negative effects of my actions on you
I know that you have given everything you could
You have tried your best in our relationship
To a brain that willed, but a heart that never ever would
I have been unemotional and disengaged in our relationship
For it is lost, unsure, afraid and it is blind
I am struggling with my own issues and am unable to fully engage with you
And it will claim you were never on its side
I may blame you for the issues in our relationship
I am a cold front and you are a rosebud
I am harsh and unforgiving, while you are vulnerable and delicate
I am a salt mine and you are a deep cut
I am damaging and hurtful, while you are wounded and vulnerable
I am a flood wave and you are a nutshell
I am overpowering and destructive, while you are fragile and small
You are an ice patch and I am the sun
You are cold and distant, while I am warm and intense
I am a sharp nail and you are a bare foot
I hurt and harm, while you are vulnerable and unprotected
I am a thumb tack and you are a tire
I am a small source of pain and frustration, while you are crucial and important
I am a fire, I am a tall cliff
I am dangerous and destructive, while also being intimidating and powerful
I am a tall cliff and every man falls
I am a source of danger and harm to those who encounter me
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.