Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor an… Read Full Bio ↴Azure Ray is an American indie duo, consisting of musicians Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink. Azure Ray started in Athens, Georgia, in 2001 and later relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, and joined the music scene there, leading to collaborations with Bright Eyes and Now It's Overhead, among others. Their sound is sparse and understated, with intimate lyrics, elements of alt-country and folk Americana, and occasional forays into minimalist electronica.

The duo took a brief hiatus beginning in 2004 while each member pursued solo projects. They reunited from 2008-2012 releasing two albums, before disbanding again until a reunion show in 2018 and announcement of a new EP, Waves.

A Thousand Years
Azure Ray Lyrics

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I'm saving all I'm not giving
But it's overflowing, evaporating in the air
As I'm walking, I know I'm not breathing,
I'm not breathing only air

It's filled with words once spoken
By people everywhere
And I can hear all the whispers

That have lived a thousand years

It just took me being open for them
To reach my eager ears
Now they've reached my eager ears

And I hope I'll be ready
When my light, when my life divides

Overall Meaning

Azure Ray's "A Thousand Years" is a beautifully reflective piece about how knowledge and experience can become a part of us and help us grow over time. The first verse speaks of the contradictions present in our lives - how we may try to hold back our thoughts and feelings, but eventually they overflow and dissipate into the air. The second verse describes the power of shared experience - how the words of countless people from throughout history combine together to create a chorus of whispers that can be heard by those who are truly listening. The final lines of the song convey a feeling of hope and purpose; the singer acknowledges that their life may take unforeseen turns, but they will be ready to face whatever comes their way.

On the surface, this song seems simple and unassuming, but there are many layers of meaning to be unpacked. The chorus line "I can hear all the whispers that have lived a thousand years" is particularly powerful - it speaks to the idea that every person who has ever existed has left a mark on our world and their legacy lives on in the things they said and did. There is a sense of interconnectedness and continuity that comes through in these lyrics, which is both comforting and humbling.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm saving all I'm not giving
I'm holding back my emotions and thoughts, not expressing them to others

But it's overflowing, evaporating in the air
Despite my attempts to hide my feelings, they are becoming too much to contain and are seeping out unconsciously

As I'm walking, I know I'm not breathing,
I'm going through the motions of life, but not truly living or connecting with my surroundings

I'm not breathing only air
I'm suffocating on my own internal struggles and emotions

It's filled with words once spoken
The atmosphere is heavy with the lingering energy of past conversations and emotions

By people everywhere
These emotions have been felt universally by everyone throughout history

And I can hear all the whispers
I am attuned to the subtle energies around me and am able to pick up on the echoes of the past

That have lived a thousand years
These feelings and emotions have been present throughout time and are not limited by a specific era or generation

It just took me being open for them
By being receptive and vulnerable, I am able to tap into the collective energy of humanity

To reach my eager ears
By opening myself up, I can receive the wisdom and insight of those who have come before me

Now they've reached my eager ears
I am finally able to hear the messages that the universe is sending me

And I hope I'll be ready
I am preparing myself for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead

When my light, when my life divides
In moments of transformation and change, I am unsure of what the future holds and am hoping to navigate it with an open heart and mind

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Maria Diane Taylor, Orenda Corrinne Fink

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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