Breathe Owl Breathe's first four albums were with a small Michigan based record label Earthwork Music, run by friends and fellow folk musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. On September 28, 2010, Breathe Owl Breathe signed to Hometapes to release their fifth studio album Magic Central.
Official site:
www.breatheowlbreathe.com
House of Gold
Breathe Owl Breathe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cause that would be too heavy for me
like a room that holds
too much light to see
i squint my eyes I reach out my arms I would bump into things
if I go blind
I'll recognize your touch
could we go dancing tonight?
and I'll follow your steps
we will romanticize
what we want out of life;
you and i will someday die
everyone at the dance was
wearing masks, so
so did i
paralyzed by beauty
don't leap from the balcony
you got a hand in this
i got a hand in this
i reached out for your hand
you didn't second guess
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
this is how the dance goes
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
these are the very steps
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh yes there are hand claps
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
you get two lives to live,
you’ve got such a thirst,
kid
you’re on your second life
don’t think you’re on your first
(go on and ask her)
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
this is how the dance goes
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
you could help me out
you could slow me down
you could show me things that otherwise I would just pass by
you could help me out
you could slow me down
you could show me things that otherwise I would just pass by
you could help me out
you could slow me down
you could show me things that otherwise I would just pass by
you could help me out
you could slow me down
you could show me things that otherwise I would just pass by
The lyrics of Breathe Owl Breathe's song House of Gold tell a story of a person who is hesitant to go to a place that may be too much for them emotionally, represented by the "house of gold." They describe how overwhelming it can be, like being in a room that is too bright to see clearly. The singer then expresses their desire to be close to someone they miss, and asks to go dancing with them, relying on their touch to guide them. They acknowledge the fleeting nature of life and the need to make the most of it, even if it means wearing masks and being paralyzed by the beauty around them. Throughout the song, there is a theme of needing someone to help guide them through the world, and the importance of human connection.
One interesting fact about the song House of Gold is that it features a line from Emily Dickinson's poem "The Only Ghost I Ever Saw": "That perished were but Me," which is used to describe the fleeting nature of life. Another interesting fact is that the song was written in collaboration with and features vocals from musician and poet Jolie Holland. The song has been described by the band as being about "the struggles of love." The music video for the song features a stop-motion animation created by the band's member, Micah Middaugh. The song has been compared to the works of Iron and Wine, Andrew Bird, and Bon Iver. The band's name, Breathe Owl Breathe, comes from a book of poetry by Mary Oliver. The band has been active since 2004 and has released six albums. The band's sound is often described as "whimsical" and "playful." The band is known for performing at various summer music festivals around the United States, including South by Southwest and Bonnaroo.
Chords:
The chords for House of Gold by Breathe Owl Breathe are not available at this time.
Line by Line Meaning
i don't want to go to the house of gold
I have no interest in going to a place of immense wealth and prosperity
cause that would be too heavy for me
It would be too daunting and overwhelming for me
like a room that holds too much light to see
Similar to a room that is too bright, it is difficult for me to process and make sense of the wealth that the house of gold represents
i squint my eyes I reach out my arms I would bump into things
The brightness is so intense that I am blinded and disoriented, leaving me vulnerable and clumsy
if I go blind I'll recognize your touch
Even if I lose my sense of sight, I will still be able to identify and connect with you through touch
I never missed you so much
I have never felt such a strong yearning for you
could we go dancing tonight?
Can we spend time together in a carefree, joyful activity?
and I'll follow your steps
I will willingly follow your lead and direction
we will romanticize what we want out of life
We will idealize and fantasize about our desires and aspirations in life
you and i will someday die
One day, we will inevitably face mortality
everyone at the dance was wearing masks, so
There was a sense of pretense and facade among those present at the dance
so did i
I too wore a mask and hid my true self
paralyzed by beauty
I am overwhelmed and unable to act in the face of something so breathtakingly beautiful
don't leap from the balcony
Do not act recklessly or impulsively
you got a hand in this
You are involved and responsible in this situation
i got a hand in this
I too am involved and responsible in this situation
i reached out for your hand
I sought and desired your assistance and support
you didn't second guess
You did not doubt or hesitate in your willingness to help
this is how the dance goes
This is the way life moves and progresses
these are the very steps
These are the exact movements and patterns that we must follow
oh yes there are hand claps
There are moments of celebration and joy in life
you get two lives to live, you’ve got such a thirst, kid
You should make the most of the opportunities you have in life, as you only have two chances
you’re on your second life, don’t think you’re on your first
Do not take your current life for granted, as you have already lived one before
you could help me out
You have the ability to assist me
you could slow me down
You can be a calming influence and help me take things at a more manageable pace
you could show me things that otherwise I would just pass by
You have knowledge and insight that can help me appreciate and value things that I may overlook on my own
Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.