Fanning was taught the piano by his mother at an early age. At the age of 12, while attending St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, Fanning began writing music, and upon graduating from St. Joseph's, moved on to the University of Queensland, where he studied journalism for a short time. He would go on to drop out to pursue a music career after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class. Fanning joined Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop, who had recently formed Powderfinger, and took the role of lead singer. Subsequently, Bishop left and guitarist Darren Middleton joined.
From 1994 to 2004 Powderfinger released five albums, a double CD live album, and a Best Of, after which they decided to take a break. Fanning's solo album Tea & Sympathy was released in October 2005 and debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA Albums chart. Singles released from this album were Wish You Well, Songbird and Watch Over Me.
Fanning won three ARIA awards in 2006, Best Male Artist, Album of the Year for Tea and Sympathy, and Best Music Video for Wish You Well. In the same year Wish You Well was voted in at #1 on Australian youth radio station Triple J's 2005 Hottest 100 poll.
Fanning also contributed songs to the 2003 film Ned Kelly including Shelter For My Soul and a cover of the traditional song Moreton Bay.
Powderfinger released their 6th studio album, Dream Days At The Hotel Existence in June 2007 and toured with Silverchair that autumn.
After the disbanding of Powderfinger in 2010, Fanning moved to Spain with his family where he began writing and recording demos for his next solo album. In January 2013 Fanning announced on his website blog that he had been recording the follow up to 2005's "Tea and Sympathy" in Los Angeles. In March 2013 he announced via his blog that recording had been completed and he had returned back to Australia. On 22nd April 2013 the first single Battleships was released. Fanning's second album, Departures, was released on 7th June 2013. Since the album release, two more singles have been released: Departures (Blue Toowong Skies) and Tell Me How It Ends.
Shelter For My Soul
Bernard Fanning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the open arms of the Holy Ghost,
To have lived such a life as I have known,
Fortune follows me, but I'm brave no more.
For my great mistakes I will surely pay,
I'm running low and the devil is on my trail,
When fate delivers me all I'll ask it for,
Oh if I could spend my days,
Free from the prison of your gates,
Then I could die a happy man.
Oh if I could spend my days,
Free from the shadow of my name,
Then I could die happy man.
When I am released from this mortal load,
I'll take my leave but I don't wanna go.
When fate delivers me all I'll ask it for,
A place to rest and shelter for my soul.
The lyrics of Bernard Fanning's song, "Shelter For My Soul," reflect upon the end of life and what comes after. The first stanza describes how the singer is aware that death is imminent and that he will be judged by a higher power. He acknowledges his mistakes and the fact that he no longer feels brave. The second stanza speaks of his fear of the devil who is chasing him with his inevitable fate. When he is faced with this fate, all he asks for is a place to rest and shelter for his soul. The chorus of the song heightens the theme of freedom and a desire to escape. The singer yearns for release from the prison of someone's gates and the shadow of his name. He wishes that he could spend his last days free from these forms of confinement so that he could die a happy man. Finally, the singer accepts that he will pass away, but he hopes that fate is benevolent enough to provide him with shelter for his soul.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "Shelter For My Soul" are meditations on the end of life and the desire to be at peace. Although there is an inherent fear of judgment and retribution, the song ultimately expresses a desire for freedom and rest for the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
At the end of my days when I'm called to go,
When I die and face judgment,
Into the open arms of the Holy Ghost,
I hope to be welcomed into heaven by God,
To have lived such a life as I have known,
Reflecting on my past, I am content with my life so far,
Fortune follows me, but I'm brave no more.
Although I have been successful, I am not as fearless as I used to be,
For my great mistakes I will surely pay,
I understand that I will face consequences for my major errors,
I'm running low and the devil is on my trail,
Currently, I am struggling and feeling as though I am being tempted by Satan,
When fate delivers me all I'll ask it for,
When the time comes, all I will request from destiny is,
Is a place to rest and shelter for my soul.
A peaceful and safe haven for my eternal being to reside in,
Oh if I could spend my days,
If only I could live my life,
Free from the prison of your gates,
Without being confined by someone or something else's rules,
Then I could die a happy man.
I would be content with how I've lived my life if I had that freedom,
When I am released from this mortal load,
After I have passed away from this physical world,
I'll take my leave but I don't wanna go.
I am prepared to leave but would prefer to stay,
When fate delivers me all I'll ask it for,
Once again, all I will request from destiny is,
A place to rest and shelter for my soul.
A peaceful and safe haven for my eternal being to reside in.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind