Roots
Billie Marten Lyrics


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Breeze is always colder by the sea
But it's warm to me
Unsettled in my skin
The air is clean, and I build a dream

Haven't we all?
Haven't we all?
Never looking back or looking down
Alone forever
Caught up in it all
I thought about it many times before

Haven't we all?
Haven't we all?

What am I?
What am I, alone?
Leave it all behind you, I'd love to
Cause I've got tired eyes and nothing to sink into
Somewhere to belong, to
Heaven knows I could find my place to be

River runs for miles
Untied, unchanging in time
Deep in thought of nothing more
I'd be free as the roads we walk

Wouldn't we all
Wouldn't we all

What am I?
What am I, alone?
Leave it all behind you, I'd love to
Cause I've got tired eyes and nothing to sink into




Somewhere to belong, to
Heaven knows I could find my place to be

Overall Meaning

The song "Roots" by Billie Marten is a melancholic reflection about feeling lost, searching for an identity and a sense of belonging. The first verse describes the singer's physical discomfort in their own skin, but also their emotional struggle to ground themselves. They find comfort by the sea, where the breeze may be colder but it still feels warm to them. In this environment, they can start to build a dream for themselves, but they acknowledge that this process is something that most of us have gone through before. The second verse has a similar theme, emphasizing how one can feel caught up in the process of trying to find themselves, with the fear of being alone being a constant presence.


The chorus poses a question of self-identity and belonging, with the singer asking what they are and where they fit in. They long to leave everything behind and find somewhere to belong, but they feel too exhausted and empty to truly engage with this search. The final verse uses the metaphor of a river that runs for miles, untouched by time but deep in thought. The singer wishes they could be just as free and unbound as the river, always moving forwards.


Overall, "Roots" is a deeply introspective song that touches on universal feelings of uncertainty and longing for a sense of place. Marten's lyrics are evocative, painting vivid pictures of the sea, the road, and the river, each representing a part of the singer's journey towards self-discovery.


Line by Line Meaning

Breeze is always colder by the sea
The ocean may be cooler, but it brings comfort to me.


But it's warm to me
The frigid sea breeze provides a sense of warmth to me.


Unsettled in my skin
I feel uncomfortable within myself.


The air is clean, and I build a dream
The pure air inspires me to dream.


Haven't we all?
Don't we all feel this way sometimes?


Never looking back or looking down
I won't dwell on the past or negative aspects of my life.


Alone forever
I'll be forever alone unless I make a change.


Caught up in it all
I'm overwhelmed by everything around me.


I thought about it many times before
I've had these thoughts and feelings many times in the past.


What am I?
Who am I really?


Leave it all behind you, I'd love to
I wish I could escape all my problems.


Cause I've got tired eyes and nothing to sink into
I'm exhausted with nowhere to find solace.


Somewhere to belong, to
I long for a place where I fit in and feel accepted.


Heaven knows I could find my place to be
If given a chance, I believe I could discover where I belong.


River runs for miles
The river seems to stretch on forever.


Untied, unchanging in time
The river remains unaltered and constant.


Deep in thought of nothing more
I'm lost in my own contemplations.


I'd be free as the roads we walk
If only I could break free from my internal struggles, life could be as open as the roads we travel.


Wouldn't we all
Don't we all yearn for that sense of freedom?




Writer(s): Billie Tweddle, Simon Aldred

Contributed by Joseph F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Keana Camacho


on Winter Song

This is my winter song to you
The storm is coming soon
It rose in from the sea
My voice a beacon in the night
My words will be your light To carry you to me

Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love

They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow
Or so I have been told
They say were buried far
Just like a distant star I simply cannot hold

Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love

This is my winter song
December never felt so warm
Cause you're not where you belong
Inside my arms

I still believe in summer days
The seasons always change
And life will find a way
I'll be your harvester of life
We'll send it out tonight so we can start again

Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love

This is my winter song
December never felt so warm
Cause you're not where you belong
Inside my arms

This is my winter song to you
The storm is coming soon
It rose in from the sea
My voice a beacon in the night
My words will be your light To carry you to me

Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive
Is love alive

Mat Brown


on Ribbon

amazing. truly.

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