Cousins Steven Delopoulos and John Philippidis were performing in a New Jersey coffeehouse when they were "discovered" by manager Jamison Ernest. The Brooklyn based cousins then assembled a larger band under the name "Burlap to Cashmere", recruiting guitarist Mike Ernest, bassist Roby Guarnera, keyboardist Josh Zandman, drummer Theodore Pagano and percussionist Scott Barksdale (John Degrazio eventually joined the band on bass when Guarnera left).
The group drew on a wide range of musical styles and influences, but their signature sound was rooted in lightning-fast acoustic guitar rhythms. The band began performing in local New York-area venues, and quickly developed a cult following. In 1997, they independently released their first EP under the label Squint, Live at the Bitter End. In 1998 Burlap to Cashmere signed with A&M Records and released the full-length recording Anybody Out There?, followed by an A&M re-release of Live at the Bitter End.
02-Eileen's Song
Burlap To Cashmere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
Through the winter and through the summer
Like one angel we'll fly far away
Hold my hand and we'll make it all right
From this hell that we live in
Cross the road until the light
It's a long and lonesome ride
When your friends have all gone home
But the roses in your eyes
They pull me in so I don't feel alone
You have one wing, I have another
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
Through the winter and through the summer
Like one angel we'll fly far away
Sometimes I just can't help but cry
When I think of what we've become
Like a soldier lost in the night
Forgetting all where he has come from
But the mud will soon become dry
And the sun will rise again
And the shadows in our eyes
Will fade away down to lower plains
'Cause you have one wing, I have another
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
Through the winter and through the summer
Like one angel we'll fly far away
You have one wing, I have another
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
Through the winter and through the summer
Like one angel we'll fly far away
You have one wing, I have another
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
Through the winter and through the summer
Like one angel, we'll fly far away
So my friend now this I say
I won't leave you hangin' on
Hold on tight now and don't fly away
Till one angel we have become
Burlap to Cashmere's song "Eileen's Song" is a moving and meaningful ballad about the promise of friendship and companionship in the face of hardship and loneliness. With the opening line, "You have one wing, I have another, seeking shelter like sister and brother," the song establishes the metaphor of two imperfect individuals coming together to form a whole, complete being. The song describes the love and support that the two friends provide to one another through harsh winters and scorching summers, symbolizing the ups and downs of life itself. The lyrics also touch upon themes of pain, loss, and isolation, with lines such as "sometimes I just can't help but cry, when I think of what we've become, like a soldier lost in the night, forgetting all where he has come from."
In the chorus, the lyrics repeat the imagery of the two friends as one angel with two wings, implying that they can achieve great heights and overcome any obstacles together. The final verse stresses the importance of holding on tight to the bond of friendship, promising not to leave the other hanging on, until they have become a single entity.
Overall, "Eileen's Song" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to the power of friendship in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. Through its powerful images and metaphors, the song provides comfort to anyone struggling through difficult times, reminding us that we are not alone, and that there is always hope for better days.
Line by Line Meaning
You have one wing, I have another
We must work together as a team or rely on each other to make it through our difficulties
Seeking shelter like sister and brother
We are searching for safety and security, just like siblings who turn to each other in time of need
Through the winter and through the summer
No matter the season or the time, we are in this situation together
Like one angel we'll fly far away
As a united front, we will overcome our challenges and soar to success
Hold my hand and we'll make it all right
Let's stick together and support each other in order to come out victorious
From this hell that we live in
The current difficult situation is like a living hell and we need to pull each other out
Cross the road until the light
We need to keep pushing forward until we reach the end of the dark tunnel
Comes inside and lives within
We need to hold onto hope and positivity and internalize it
It's a long and lonesome ride
The journey we need to embark on is long and lonely
When your friends have all gone home
When everyone else has given up or abandoned you, you are never truly alone
But the roses in your eyes
Your kind and loving nature brings warmth and comfort to me
They pull me in so I don't feel alone
Your presence helps me face the situation and I feel less isolated
Sometimes I just can't help but cry
At times the situation is so tough that a good cry is necessary
When I think of what we've become
Reflecting on how we've grown and adapted through the struggle
Like a soldier lost in the night
Feeling disoriented and confused about our next steps
Forgetting all where he has come from
Putting aside our past misfortunes and focusing solely on the present and future
But the mud will soon become dry
The difficulties we currently face will not last forever
And the sun will rise again
Things will eventually become brighter and more hopeful
And the shadows in our eyes
The gloominess and sadness that we feel will lift
Will fade away down to lower plains
The negative aspects of the situation will disappear and we will be at peace
So my friend now this I say
Listen to what I'm telling you now, my friend
I won't leave you hangin' on
I am here for you and won't abandon you
Hold on tight now and don't fly away
Stay with me, be strong, and don't give up
Till one angel we have become
Together we can conquer the struggle and become stronger for it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMISON ERNEST, JOHNNY PHILIPPIDIS, STEVEN SOCRATES DELOPOULOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shawn Scanlon
One of the best songs ever