Orton moved to East London at the age of fourteen. During her early career she was more interested in acting. She first gained notice in 1995 for her vocals on the Chemical Brothers' track "Alive Alone" and is well known for her collaboration (stemming from a relationship) with William Orbit in which she lent her voice for the Strange Cargo albums. The collaboration with Orbit called SuperPinkyMandy, though of excellent sound, was only released in very limited numbers in Japan.
Orton's first solo album, Trailer Park, was released in 1996. It earned her nominations for two Brit awards (best British newcomer, best British female), and the Mercury Music Prize in 1997, was well received by critics, and sold modestly, selling 300,000 copies and reaching sixty-eight in the U.K. The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall, whom she selected based on his production of one of her favourite records at the time, Primal Scream's "Screamadelica".
Central Reservation, her second album (proper), released in 1999, helped Orton build on the success of her debut. Although retaining the electronic edge of the former, this record showed a notably more acoustic side with several tracks consisting purely of Beth's vocal accompanied by a solitary acoustic guitar, with subject matters becoming more introspective. The album also featured notable contributions from folk musician Terry Callier, Dr Robert, and Ben Harper. Several tracks were produced by Ben Watt of Everything but the Girl. The album earned Orton a second Mercury Music Prize nomination and won her Best Female at the 2000 Brit Awards.
In July 2002, she released the album Daybreaker, which again blended the early electronica style, with up tempo pop songs and acoustic ballads. It featured guest appearances from musicians such as The Chemical Brothers, Emmylou Harris, whom she met at Lilith Fair, Ryan Adams, and Four Tet. It was a great commercial success, reaching the top eight of the U.K. album chart, but received mixed reviews from the press.
Her fourth studio album, Comfort of Strangers, was released in February 2006. The release saw her move away from the electronica element that she is usually associated with, to a more stripped down traditional alt-folk album. This followed an extended absence since her previous release, partially a result of several failed production attempts, and the parting of ways between her and Heavenly. The album was produced by Jim O'Rourke.
In 2012 Beth's 5th album Sugaring Season was released, on the ANTI- label, and was followed by a tour of Europe.
In 2016 Kidsticks, Beth's 6th album, was released.
Beth has also collaborated with American pop artist Beck on his Midnite Vultures album, providing vocals on the track "Beautiful Way". She is also known for her own singles, "Stolen Car," a hit in college circles and "She Cries Your Name", once featured in the TV show Roswell in the "Cry Your Name" episode. She also wrote songs for the Erin Brockovich soundtrack.
Beth Orton's brother, Rupert Orton, is the guitarist/manager for British rock'n'roll band The Jim Jones Revue.
http://beth-orton.co.uk
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Sisters Of Mercy
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are not departed or gone
They were waiting for me
When I thought that I just can't go on
And they brought me their comfort
And later they brought me this song
Oh, I hope you run into them
Yes, you who must leave everything
That you cannot control
It begins with your family
But soon it comes around to your soul
Well, I've been where you're hanging
And I think, I can see how you're pinned
When you're not feeling holy
Your loneliness says, that you've sinned
Well, they lay down beside me
I made my confessions to them
They touched both my eyes
And I touched the dew on their hem
If your life is a leaf
That the seasons tear off and condemn
They will bind you with love
That is graceful and green as a stem
When I left they were sleeping
And I hope you run into them soon
Don't turn on the lights
You can read their address by the moon
And you won't make me jealous
If I find that they've sweetened your night
We weren't lovers like that
And besides it would still be all right
We weren't lovers like that
And besides it would still be all right
The song 'Sisters of Mercy' by Beth Orton is a hauntingly beautiful tale of finding comfort in the midst of despair. The opening lines suggest the existence of a group of benevolent figures known as the 'sisters of mercy'. These are beings who provide comfort and solace to those who are suffering. The singer feels that they were waiting for her when she felt like giving up on life. The sisters represent a source of hope and redemption when all seems lost.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the meaning of mercy, particularly as it relates to the idea of surrender. The singer notes that the sisters provided her with comfort, but that they also gave her a song. This song, which is not elucidated upon, suggests the possibility of transformation and transcendence. The singer hopes that others will also come into contact with these sisters, particularly those who are struggling with issues that they cannot control. The sisters of mercy are a symbol of the possibility of finding peace and salvation even in the midst of chaos.
In the final verses, there is a suggestion that the singer has left the sisters of mercy and moved on, but she still hopes that others will find them. She notes that their address can be found by the light of the moon, a poetic and surreal image that suggests that their location is not a physical one. The end of the song hints at the idea that the sisters of mercy are not necessarily romantic figures, but that they are still capable of providing solace to those who need it most.
Overall, 'Sisters of Mercy' is a powerful song about the possibility of redemption and hope in difficult times. The imagery and language used is evocative and emotive, creating a sense of longing and sadness that is ultimately transcended by the possibility of mercy and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the sisters of mercy
The singer introduces the subject of the song, the sisters of mercy.
They are not departed or gone
The sisters of mercy are still around and present to help those in need.
They were waiting for me
The singer feels that the sisters of mercy were waiting for them to arrive for guidance and support.
When I thought that I just can't go on
The artist was feeling hopeless and in need of help when the sisters of mercy appeared.
And they brought me their comfort
The sisters of mercy provided comfort to the artist in their time of need.
And later they brought me this song
The sisters of mercy shared a song with the singer, possibly as a way of providing wisdom or guidance.
Oh, I hope you run into them
The singer wishes for others to also encounter the sisters of mercy and benefit from their compassion.
You, who've been traveling so long
The artist addresses individuals who have been on a long and difficult journey in life.
Yes, you who must leave everything
The artist acknowledges that some people must leave everything they know and love behind.
That you cannot control
The artist references the fact that we cannot control many aspects of our lives.
It begins with your family
The singer suggests that our experiences and limitations often start with our family.
But soon it comes around to your soul
The artist implies that these limitations soon affect our souls and emotional well-being.
Well, I've been where you're hanging
The singer has experienced a similar emotional state to the person they are addressing.
And I think, I can see how you're pinned
The singer believes they can empathize with the constrained feeling of the individual they are addressing.
When you're not feeling holy
The singer implies that feeling unholy or imperfect can be a source of emotional distress.
Your loneliness says, that you've sinned
The artist suggests that one's feeling of loneliness can make them feel like they have done something wrong.
Well, they lay down beside me
The sisters of mercy were physically present with the artist in their time of need.
I made my confessions to them
The singer felt comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings with the sisters of mercy.
They touched both my eyes
The sisters of mercy may have touched the singer's eyes as a symbolic gesture of compassion.
And I touched the dew on their hem
The artist touches the hem of the sisters of mercy, possibly as a sign of respect and gratitude.
If your life is a leaf
The artist introduces a metaphor for life as a delicate and temporary thing.
That the seasons tear off and condemn
The artist suggests that the changing seasons and events in life can feel negative and judgemental.
They will bind you with love
The sisters of mercy offer love and support to those feeling lost and alone.
That is graceful and green as a stem
The artist describes the love of the sisters of mercy as something that is both beautiful and strong.
When I left they were sleeping
The singer left the sisters of mercy resting or dormant, possibly implying that their support is always available.
And I hope you run into them soon
The singer encourages others to also encounter the sisters of mercy and receive their help.
Don't turn on the lights
The singer suggests that the sisters of mercy can be found in the darkness, possibly implying that they provide guidance in difficult times.
You can read their address by the moon
The artist suggests that the address of the sisters of mercy can be found by looking to the light of the moon.
And you won't make me jealous
The artist is secure enough to not feel jealous if others also receive help from the sisters of mercy.
If I find that they've sweetened your night
The singer implies that the sisters of mercy have the power to make one's night or life better.
We weren't lovers like that
The singer clarifies that their relationship with the sisters of mercy was not one of romantic love.
And besides it would still be all right
The artist sees their relationship with the sisters of mercy as positive and beneficial despite not being romantic in nature.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mattmcauley5145
Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone
They were waitin' for me when I thought that I just can't go on
And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song
Oh I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long
Yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control
It begins with your family, but soon it comes round to your soul
Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned:
When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned
Well they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them
They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem
If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn
They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem
When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon
Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon
And you won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night:
We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right
We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right
@captainzeppos
I was searching for covers of this song, but never did I think that I would hear something like this.
This was haunting. This was beyond beautiful.
@goodboymurph
Absolutely beautiful interpretation of a Leonard classic. Thank you. It is always a pleasure to listen to this song!!!
@iannorman1552
One of the great covers that got me into Leonard Cohen for the first time in my (longish) life !. Great voice, and a brilliant arrangement, as are pretty much all on this brilliant concert/documentary shown on Sky Arts in the last year or so.
@kaotikgrrl
such a heartfelt rendition....beth is one of my favorite singers and this is just one of the many reasons
@hillkphs
A wonderful rendition of one of my favorite Cohen songs. Beautiful!
@portcullis5622
Beautiful.Like Leonard Cohen,Beth Orton is often said to have a voice that is an acquired taste,but she sings with feeling and soul and is also a great songwriter.There are plenty of popular singers that are easy on the ear but sing without feeling and don't (or can't) write songs.
@moondancer3157
I suppose I haven't "Acquired " it yet. ⚘
@patrickhiggins6726
It's not often I prefer a rendition...but this is AWESOME!
@im4out
:)
@tomlives
Best rendition of this song that I am aware of. RIP