New Joy
Birch Book Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never seeing where the signs have marked the trail
The Lovers find their ways in rough surrender
Never knowing where the wind will blow their sails
I don't know that things were ever meant to be easy
Don't know how thus far I've managed to get on
I don't know that you could see this life through my eyes
This much I know: with love comes sorrow
This much is plain: with new joy, new pain
Of course it's clear looking back in hindsight
That old fantasy of freedom bound to fall
But looking in the mirror there's an open road
Pack it up say goodbye to them all
Have you got a light to give a weary traveler?
Have you got a lift for one who's fallen down?
Have you got a smile to show a broken hearted man
Who knows not where he's bound?
This much I know: with love comes sorrow
This much is plain: with new joy, new pain
The lyrics to Birch Book's song "New Joy" seem to speak to the human experience of navigating life's ups and downs, particularly in the realm of love and relationships. The first stanza uses powerful imagery to convey the sense of not knowing what lies ahead, likening life to a journey where the signs are not always clear and the wind can blow in unexpected directions. The use of the word "surrender" suggests a certain resignation to the unknown, and perhaps a recognition that sometimes we simply have to let go and see where life takes us.
The second stanza is more introspective, with the singer acknowledging that things are not always easy, and that others may not fully understand the complexities of their experience. The use of the phrase "this much I know" suggests a kind of hard-won wisdom, gained through trial and error and a willingness to take risks despite the potential for pain. The final lines of both stanzas drive home the theme of duality - that joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin, and that we cannot have one without also experiencing the other.
The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer asking for help and connection from others on the road. The phrase "have you got a light to give a weary traveler?" is particularly poignant, as it suggests a desire for human connection and kindness in the midst of struggle. The final line, "who knows not where he's bound," is a powerful reminder that even when we feel lost and uncertain, we can still find meaning and purpose in our connections with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming 'round the bend over the high life
Approaching the end of a more comfortable time
Never seeing where the signs have marked the trail
Unsure of the right direction to take
The Lovers find their ways in rough surrender
Love is often found through sacrifice and compromise
Never knowing where the wind will blow their sails
Uncertainty is a part of the journey
I don't know that things were ever meant to be easy
Life is not supposed to be a walk in the park
Don't know how thus far I've managed to get on
Surviving this far in life is a mystery to the singer
I don't know that you could see this life through my eyes
It's impossible to truly understand someone else's perspective
I don't know that I could show you in a song
Some experiences are too complex to be explained through music
This much I know: with love comes sorrow
Love is often accompanied by pain
This much is plain: with new joy, new pain
Every new positive experience comes with its own set of challenges
Of course it's clear looking back in hindsight
The past is often easier to see clearly than the present
That old fantasy of freedom bound to fall
The idea of total freedom is flawed and unrealistic
But looking in the mirror there's an open road
The future is full of potential and possibility
Pack it up say goodbye to them all
Sometimes it's time to move on and start fresh
Have you got a light to give a weary traveler?
Do you have the ability to help someone who is tired?
Have you got a lift for one who's fallen down?
Can you assist someone who has stumbled and needs support?
Have you got a smile to show a broken hearted man
Can you bring happiness to someone who is hurting?
Who knows not where he's bound?
Some people are lost and unsure of their direction
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.