Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Twelve Swords
Blues Traveler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a warrior's class
Apprentice turned sorcerer I
I've seen many wars end
Made the battle my friend
None am I afraid to defy
Yet I fall to my knees
Weak and bleeding sure that I'm through
And as I lay there to die
I can see the night sky
And suddenly I'm thinking of you
Does the crescent moon rise
By the light of your eyes
Can you see the star that I'm wishing on
And is it shining as bright
From where you see it tonight
And does the love that you feel make you strong
On my twelve swords I'm yours
Till you need me no more
And I'll wish away till morning
Like a harvested husk
Another city sacked at dusk
The rampaging conquest goes well
But I cannot erase
The memory of our embrace
Without you I'd have died where I fell
And I must ask again
Is the battle my friend
What will my life and sorcery be
I only know this is true
That indeed I love you
And I ask by the first star I see
Does the crescent moon rise
By the light of your eyes
Can you see the star that I'm wishing on
And is it shining as bright
From where you see it tonight
And does the love that you feel make you strong
Does the crescent moon rise
By the light of your eyes
Can you see the star that I'm wishing on
And is it shining as bright
From where you see it tonight
And does the love that you feel make you strong
On my twelve swords I'm yours
Till you need me no more
And I'll wish away till morning
And I'll wish away till morning
The lyrics of Blues Traveler’s song “Twelve Swords” depict the story of a warrior who has seen many battles and has become a sorcerer but finds himself weak and vulnerable. The opening lines introduce the singer as a member of a warrior's class who has become a sorcerer. He has seen many wars end and has always been unafraid to defy anyone on the battlefield. However, he now finds himself weak and bleeding, thinking that he is through.
The chorus of the song has the singer thinking about his love interest. He wonders if the crescent moon rises by the light of her eyes and if she can see the star he is wishing on. He also questions if their love makes her strong. He promises to be hers until she does not need him anymore and wishes away until the morning.
The second verse has the singer reminiscing about another battle, which he has won, but cannot forget the memory of his lover’s embrace. He questions the meaning of the sorcery he has attained and wonders whether the battle is his friend. He is certain of one thing, his love for his significant other. He hopes she will see the star he is wishing on and that their love will give her the strength to conquer any obstacle.
Overall, the lyrics of the song convey deep and meaningful emotions, reflecting on love, war, and human fragility.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand and alas
I am standing alone with sadness
Of a warrior's class
I belong to a warrior lineage
Apprentice turned sorcerer I
I started as a learner but now I’ve become a master magician
I've seen many wars end
I've witnessed the end of many wars
Made the battle my friend
I’ve become so accustomed to war that it feels like my friend
None am I afraid to defy
I am not scared to challenge anyone
I've done as I please
I've lived my life according to my wishes
Yet I fall to my knees
But now I am suffering and down on my knees
Weak and bleeding sure that I'm through
Feeling powerless and hurt, I am certain that my time is up
And as I lay there to die
As I am lying there waiting to die
I can see the night sky
I see the sky full of stars
And suddenly I'm thinking of you
At this moment, all I can think of is you
Does the crescent moon rise
Is there a crescent moon appearing in the sky
By the light of your eyes
It's as if the brilliant moonlight is shining through your eyes
Can you see the star that I'm wishing on
Can you see the star that I have wished upon
And is it shining as bright
Is it sparkling with the same intensity
From where you see it tonight
From your perspective tonight
And does the love that you feel make you strong
And I wonder if your love strengthens you like mine does
On my twelve swords I'm yours
I pledge myself to you on my twelve swords
Till you need me no more
Until I'm no longer needed by you
And I'll wish away till morning
And until the morning comes, I will keep on wishing
Like a harvested husk
I feel empty, like a grain husk harvested from the field
Another city sacked at dusk
During a typical day of my conquest, I sacked another city at dusk
The rampaging conquest goes well
My rampage conquest is going well
But I cannot erase
But I can't forget
The memory of our embrace
The memory of our loving moment
Without you I'd have died where I fell
Without you, I would have perished on the battlefield
And I must ask again
And I have to ask again
What will my life and sorcery be
What does the future hold for me as a warrior and magician
I only know this is true
The only thing I know that's true
That indeed I love you
Is that I am in love with you
And I ask by the first star I see
By the first star that I see, I ask you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN C. POPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind