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
Twilight
Breathe Owl Breathe Lyrics
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Do you know how long you slept?
My lips are chapped and the compass is cracked
And I don't want to use the treasure map for a blanket
Let the northern wind tuck you in
Like a sea turtle you flew away in the water
The seaweed below resembles the forest of fire
Still you froze
The night was black like an eye patch
If the stars were scars God was playing with matches
How many heart beats does it take to reach the water's edge?
Oh, the heart is a vessel or the heart is a treasure
You're capsized or you're buried alive
Call out for rescue
Don't you keep it all inside
What you got to hide?
I can't hear my heart beating
I can't heart my heart beating over these thoughts at night
And it sounds like twilight for those listening
For those listening
In Breathe Owl Breathe's song Twilight, the lyrics paint a picture of a narrator who is lost and confused. The opening line, "Take a breath from your treasure chest," suggests that the singer is searching for something valuable, perhaps something within themselves. The following line, "Do you know how long you slept?" can be interpreted in a couple of ways. It could be seen as the singer asking themselves how long they have been lost or how long they have been holding onto this treasure. It could also be a metaphor for the idea that the singer has been "asleep" or detached from reality for a while.
The following lines, "My lips are chapped and the compass is cracked / And I don't want to use the treasure map for a blanket," add to the theme of confusion and disorientation. The singer's lips are chapped, which suggests that they have been wandering for a long time without finding what they are looking for. Their compass is cracked, which could signify that they have lost their sense of direction or have been led astray. The fact that they don't want to use the treasure map for a blanket suggests that they are lost and vulnerable, but they still want to hold onto their hope of finding their treasure.
The next few lines of the song use imagery of nature to heighten the sense of disorientation and confusion. Specifically, the lines "Let the northern wind tuck you in / Like a sea turtle you flew away in the water / The seaweed below resembles the forest of fire / Still you froze," use the idea of a sea turtle getting lost in the currents of the ocean to reflect the singer's own sense of being lost. The seaweed that resembles a forest of fire may represent the danger that the singer feels in their current situation. In the end, the singer is frozen and unable to move, adding to the feeling of being lost and stuck.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a breath from your treasure chest
Pause for a moment and reflect on your innermost desires and possessions.
Do you know how long you slept?
Have you been ignoring the passage of time and the opportunities it brings?
My lips are chapped and the compass is cracked
I am lost and suffering from the effects of a difficult journey.
And I don't want to use the treasure map for a blanket
I am reluctant to use my past experiences as a temporary coping mechanism.
Let the northern wind tuck you in
Allow nature to soothe and comfort you when you feel vulnerable.
Like a sea turtle you flew away in the water
You escaped your problems by swimming away in a figurative sense.
The seaweed below resembles the forest of fire
What you perceive in life can trick you into misinterpreting reality.
Still you froze
You became paralyzed by fear or doubt despite your escape.
The night was black like an eye patch
Darkness surrounded you, obstructing your vision and opportunities.
If the stars were scars God was playing with matches
Life's blessings and challenges can come simultaneously, making the origin and purpose of each unclear.
How many heart beats does it take to reach the water's edge?
How much effort and resilience will it take to overcome my current struggles?
Oh, the heart is a vessel or the heart is a treasure
The heart can be a container of emotions or a source of valuable guidance.
You're capsized or you're buried alive
You can be defeated by unexpected events or by your own unaddressed emotions.
Call out for rescue
Ask for help and support to overcome your difficulties.
Don't you keep it all inside
Don't suppress or ignore your emotions and problems.
What you got to hide?
Why are you afraid of being vulnerable and seeking help?
I can't hear my heart beating
I am struggling to feel and trust my emotions and intuition.
I can't hear my heart beating over these thoughts at night
My thoughts and worries are overpowering my ability to listen to my inner self.
And it sounds like twilight for those listening
My situation and emotions might seem mysterious, uncertain or confusing to others around me.
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.