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.

While I'm Still Young
Azure Ray Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You held my hand
Led me to the water
You pushed me in
I went under
They were your firm hands
That made me falter
You held my hand
Led me to the altar

You wept for me

Lord, absolve her
They were your weak hands
That made me stronger
You held my hand
Led me homeward
I looked for you
You were nowhere

Holding tight my hand
Was my own

Overall Meaning

In Azure Ray's song "While I'm Still Young", the lyrics speak about a relationship that has caused pain and heartache. The opening lines describe how one person led the other to the water and pushed them in, causing them to go under. This could be interpreted in a literal sense, or as a metaphor for someone who has taken control of another person's life, leading them down a path they did not want to follow.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that this relationship has caused great emotional turmoil for the singer. The chorus "You held my hand, led me to the altar, you wept for me, lord absolve her" suggests that the relationship may have been a religious one, with one person leading the other to a spiritual awakening or conversion. However, the singer senses that their partner is not sincere, and that they are using religion as a means of control.

The final lines of the song "Holding tight my hand was my own" suggest that the singer has found inner strength, and has learned to take control of their own life. The song speaks to the journey of finding oneself and learning to break free from the shackles of a toxic relationship, and the recognition that true strength comes from within.

Line by Line Meaning

You held my hand
You guided me through life

Led me to the water
Showed me opportunities and experiences

You pushed me in
Urged me to take chances and risks

I went under
Encountered hardship and struggles

They were your firm hands
You were assertive and controlling

That made me falter
I struggled to make my own choices

Led me to the altar
Guided me to make commitments

You wept for me
You showed empathy and compassion

Lord, absolve her
Praying for forgiveness and mercy

They were your weak hands
You showed vulnerability and fragility

That made me stronger
I learned to be independent and self-reliant