I am also referring to the simplicity of God's natural landscape. The mountains in Colorado and New Mexico, forests in North Carolina, deserts of Arizona, as well as rain, snow, sleet, ice, wind, sunshine and moonlight play their parts in my songs. The constant change in nature is fascinating. At times, the beauty of this unforgiving land seems a blurry backdrop to our modern, hurried existence. In my songs, I try to slow the frames so the mind can interpret and feel the environment.
Of course, everyone knows that neither human emotion nor nature is simple. In fact, few things are more complicated. Neither will ever be completely understood nor harnessed. However, if I can pinpoint the peace of mind one feels on a Friday night with loved ones, after a hard week of work -- or the vast loneliness one feels while driving in solitude across the Great Plains, away from those loved ones, I have accomplished something. That is all I can hope to do." - Ben Bedford
Amelia
Ben Bedford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
were you a tad bit nervous did you have your fingers crossed
hoping for a miracle of science or of god
To put your little airplane in the sky
the air's a place for men they said, those acrobats of war
and after all Lucky Lindy did it all before
go back to your mama go home and be a wife
'cause we all know that girls aren't meant to fly
with a big combustion engine and a fool's head full of dreams
you'll cut across the blue Atlantic sky
what's it like to sit alone in solitary dark
with your friend the
rumbling engine and dome of northern stars
did you laugh a little as you did what they said that you could not
all while watched by 100 million eyes
at 9 A.M. on New York time was luck the one you thanked
or was it trust in progress as the night behind you sank
hours up on Lindy's time you caught the eastern glow
and the coast of Ireland came into sight
14 hours and 56 minutes in the clouds
from the time that you pushed off to the second you touched down
a thermos of tomato soup to warm against the chill
and a little faith can go a long long way
The lyrics to Ben Bedford's song "Amelia" recount the story of American aviator Amelia Earhart's famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. The song begins by describing the wet and soft ground of Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, where Earhart departed on her journey. The lyrics suggest that Earhart may have been nervous or hoping for a miracle of science or God to put her little airplane in the sky.
The song then delves into the societal pressures that Earhart faced as a female pilot in a world dominated by male aviators. The lyrics refer to the prevailing attitude of the time, which held that "the air's a place for men," and that women should not attempt to fly. The song notes that even after Charles Lindbergh's famous solo flight across the Atlantic, there were still those who believed that "girls aren't meant to fly."
Despite these challenges and prejudices, Earhart took to the skies and cut across the blue Atlantic sky, heading towards Ireland. The song portrays her as a fearless and daring adventurer, sitting alone in "solitary dark" with only her "friend the rumbling engine and dome of northern stars" for company. In the end, Earhart made history, completing her flight in 14 hours and 56 minutes, and proving wrong those who believed that women could not be aviators.
Line by Line Meaning
Harbor Grace, Newfoundland the ground was wet and soft
The ground was damp and malleable when Amelia set off from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland
were you a tad bit nervous did you have your fingers crossed
Did Amelia Earhart feel a bit apprehensive as she was taking off? Was she anxious for a smooth start?
hoping for a miracle of science or of god
Did Earhart hope that divine intervention or scientific breakthroughs would help her fly?
To put your little airplane in the sky
Her desire was to see her aircraft soar into the sky
the air's a place for men they said, those acrobats of war
It was said that men who were acrobats of war preferred to handle the plane in the air
and after all Lucky Lindy did it all before
People pointed out that Charles Lindbergh had already done what Earhart was attempting
go back to your mama go home and be a wife
Society's expectations didn't let women fly planes or do anything that defies stereotypical female behavior
'cause we all know that girls aren't meant to fly
The world thought that women are not cut out for aviation
Amelia open up that throttle, get above those trees
Earhart was encouraged to fly higher and feel free of terrestrial obstructions
the Icebergs looming sharp and white
Amelia flew past gigantic icebergs that appeared jagged and gleaming white
with a big combustion engine and a fool's head full of dreams
Amelia had a powerful burning engine that was driving her towards her dream of conquering the sky
you'll cut across the blue Atlantic sky
She hoped to fly through and across the deep blue sky above the Atlantic ocean
what's it like to sit alone in solitary dark
What must be Amelia's feelings as she sat in the darkness all by herself?
with your friend the rumbling engine and dome of northern stars
The sound of the engine and a dome full of stars was Earhart's only companion up there
did you laugh a little as you did what they said that you could not
Did Earhart feel amused when she broke conventions and did what society said women were not capable of?
all while watched by 100 million eyes
As she flew higher, if anyone watched, it was in the league of 100 million eyes
at 9 A.M. on New York time was luck the one you thanked
At 9:00 am, New York time, did she think luck was on her side?
or was it trust in progress as the night behind you sank
Did Earhart trust in the progress of technology and science as the dark night sank behind her?
hours up on Lindy's time you caught the eastern glow
Earhart was ahead of Lindbergh's schedule by hours, and she saw the sunrise as she flew toward the East
and the coast of Ireland came into sight
The coastline of Ireland appeared in her vision as she approached it while flying over the Atlantic ocean
14 hours and 56 minutes in the clouds
Earhart stayed in the air under the clouds for 14 hours and 56 minutes
from the time that you pushed off to the second you touched down
She didn't spend more than about 15 hours in the air between take-off and landing
a thermos of tomato soup to warm against the chill
To fight the bitter cold, Earhart carried a thermos full of hot tomato soup
and a little faith can go a long long way
Having some faith can take you a long way in achieving your pursuits
Contributed by Elijah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.