The Piano-based alternative rock group Avian Sunrise formed in the latter p… Read Full Bio ↴The Piano-based alternative rock group Avian Sunrise formed in the latter part of 2008 during the frigid winter months in South Dakota. Shortly after their establishment as a band, vocalist Bryan Wehrkamp’s sister lost her battle with depression. This tragedy would become a major driving force for Wehrkamp and the rest of the members to write music that can connect with others, no matter what facet of life one is going through. Meeting the listener at eye-level with each song has and always will be the group’s central purpose when writing and performing.

While thanking family, friends, and fans along the way, Avian quickly established themselves regionally, opening for national acts such as Owl City, Remedy Drive, Lydia, Silverstein, Quietdrive, and The Dangerous Summer.

Earlier this spring, Avian Sunrise’s songs “What You Deserve” and “A Noisy World” received placement on MTV’s The Real World: Las Vegas. Shortly after, the group released their first full-length album “Silence in the Sound” in early May of 2011 - it has garnered comparisons to the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Jack’s Mannequin, and Angels and Airwaves.

“Avian Sunrise prove that they are talented songwriters, shown through the mastery of writing great vocal melodies around perfect rhythm instrument arrangements.”
–Absolutepunk.net

With determination, humility, and a feeling of purpose as their cornerstones Avian Sunrise will continue to tour and write music that people cannot only hear, but feel and relate to on a personal level.

Avian Sunrise is Vocalist/Pianist Bryan Wehrkamp, Guitarist/Vocalist Luke Volden, Percussionist/Vocalist Paige VanderWeide, Guitarist Matt Bump, and Bassist Corey Gross.

For more information on Avian Sunrise visit:
www.aviansunrise.com or www.facebook.com/aviansunrise
For booking Avian Sunrise: booking@aviansunrise.net

Bravery
Avian Sunrise Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He wakes up early morning
These constant painful warning
signs wont go away
He can feel it in his skin
his once thick armor wearing thin
a sickness slowly creeping in
On his knees to purge the sin
From a distance a soft voice

Screaming Son you have a choice
Dont get caught in all the noise
I say this 'cause I can
Now tell me how can you save yourself
When the enemy is you?
Put your guns on the shelf
and see this one through
Or you wont know
How to get control of your
Self
-Infliction this is slavery
and I cant break this same routine
Strong but I am severing
and all of my insides are weak
Full of these iniquites
Tie my hands and slay the beast
Only then will I be free,
I'll be free
How can you save yourself
When the enemy is you?
Put your guns on the shelf
And see this one through
Or you won't know
How to get control
I need BRAVERY
BRAVERY
I cannot stand this poison in my veins
Come and awaken me
I will shake and bleed it all on the floor
I'm not scared any more
Of the loud noise – You said we all have a choice
"Go on and be the voice
How can you save yourself
When the enemy is you?
Put your guns on the shelf
And see this one through

Or you won't know
How to get control of yourself."

Overall Meaning

"Bravery" by Avian Sunrise is a song about finding the strength to face and overcome one's inner demons. The singer wakes up early in the morning, struggling with the constant painful warning signs that won't go away. They feel like their once-thick armor is wearing thin, and they're being consumed by a sickness that's slowly creeping in. The singer's pleas to purge the sin and become free are met with a soft voice from a distance, possibly representing their conscience or a higher power, telling them that they have a choice and urging them not to get caught up in the noise.

The song's central theme is a struggle with self-inflicted slavery, where the singer is caught in a cycle of repeating behaviors that are harmful but difficult to break. They feel strong, but they know they're severing inside and full of iniquities. They feel like they need to tie their hands and slay the beast within to be free. However, the singer admits that they can't stand the poison in their veins, and they need bravery to overcome it.

The chorus repeats the call for bravery and urges the singer to put their guns on the shelf, face their inner enemy, and take control of themselves. In the end, the singer realizes that they're not scared anymore and can be the voice they need to save themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

He wakes up early morning
The singer wakes up early morning, indicating how crucial the day is

These constant painful warning signs wont go away
The singer has been receiving excruciating forewarnings from his mistakes, but he is unable to get rid of them

He can feel it in his skin
The physical and mental toll of the singer's mistakes are evident in his body

his once thick armor wearing thin
The defenses and principles the artist has relied on are slowly losing effectiveness against his weaknesses

a sickness slowly creeping in
The artist's mistakes are taking a significant toll on his overall being

On his knees to purge the sin
The singer is acknowledging and attempting to rectify his wrongdoings

From a distance a soft voice Screaming Son you have a choice
The singer hears a voice reminding him that he can still choose to make things right

Dont get caught in all the noise I say this 'cause I can
The voice tells the artist to ignore the distractions and listen to it because it knows what's best for him

Now tell me how can you save yourself When the enemy is you?
The voice challenges the artist to acknowledge that his actions are the root of his problems

Put your guns on the shelf and see this one through Or you wont know How to get control of your Self
The voice advises the artist to face his mistakes head-on instead of relying on his defenses to overcome them

-Infliction this is slavery and I cant break this same routine
The singer is struggling with an internal conflict that has taken over his life

Strong but I am severing and all of my insides are weak Full of these iniquities
The artist is emotionally and mentally strong, but his weaknesses are getting the better of him because of his past iniquities

Tie my hands and slay the beast Only then will I be free, I'll be free
The singer wishes that he can conquer his demons to be truly free

I cannot stand this poison in my veins
The singer is tired of the negative effects of his mistakes

Come and awaken me I will shake and bleed it all on the floor I'm not scared any more
The singer is ready to confront and overcome his internal struggles

Of the loud noise – You said we all have a choice Go on and be the voice
The artist remembers the voice that told him he has a choice and now plans to be the voice that guides others

I need BRAVERY BRAVERY
The artist acknowledges that he needs courage to face his internal struggles

How can you save yourself When the enemy is you? Put your guns on the shelf And see this one through Or you won't know How to get control of yourself.
The chorus reinstates the central theme of the song: the need to confront one's internal conflicts by putting aside defenses and overcoming weaknesses.

Contributed by Carson V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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