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.
From Above
Burlap To Cashmere Lyrics
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My hands are on
If I had no feet to run
It would be a blessing
It would be a blessing from above
And if the trees were never planted
And the mountains not slanted
It would still be a work of art
And in my darkest rooms
I push and shove away
But in my fall He will stay
To the sea I will love
Higher mountains I will discover
From above, from above
From above, I will heal
And I am just a prisoner here
A breath away from another fear
Seasons one day will shed my soul
This tent not mine Him in control
And my emotions sometimes controls me
And my pride can toll me
But as I was sent here I am loved
In the realms of heaven up above
And im my darkest rooms I push and shove away
But in my fall He will stay
The lyrics of Burlap To Cashmere’s song ‘From Above’ are a powerful reflection on the complexities of life and the comfort that can be found in faith. The opening words, “this tent not mine, my hands are on,” speak to the transient nature of our physical existence and the idea that we are merely temporary residents in our own bodies. The desire to transcend this existence is reflected in the lines “if I had no feet to run, it would be a blessing from above,” suggesting that the limitations of the physical world can sometimes feel burdensome.
The song then shifts to a focus on the beauty of the natural world, with the lyrics “if the trees were never planted and the mountains not slanted, if there was no more water to part, it would still be a work of art.” This suggests a deep respect for the natural world and an appreciation for the inherent beauty in existence, regardless of the challenges that may come with it. The concept of faith is then touched upon with the lines “to the sea I will love, higher mountains I will discover, from above, from above, from above I will heal,” speaking to the idea that resilience and inner strength can be found in a connection to a higher power.
The final verse brings the focus back to the fragility of human existence and the idea that we are all ultimately reliant on forces outside of our control. The lyrics “seasons one day will shed my soul, this tent not mine Him in control,” suggest a sense of peaceful acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death, with faith acting as a source of comfort in the face of uncertainty.
Overall, the lyrics of ‘From Above’ offer an insightful and introspective exploration of the human experience, with a particular focus on the ways in which faith can provide solace in dark times.
Line by Line Meaning
This tent not mine
I do not own my body or my life, but rather am only in temporary possession of it
My hands are on
I am in control of my physical actions and decisions
If I had no feet to run
If I could not physically escape from difficult situations
It would be a blessing
It would be a positive thing, in spite of the difficulty it presents
It would be a blessing from above
It would be a result of divine intervention and care
And if the trees were never planted
If the natural world was unchanging and unvaried
And the mountains not slanted
If the world did not contain variety and beauty
If there was no more water to part
If the world lost its natural wonders and signs of divine intervention
It would still be a work of art
The world would remain beautiful and valuable, even if it lost its miraculous qualities
And in my darkest rooms
In my most difficult moments of despair and fear
I push and shove away
I struggle to cope with my emotions and circumstances
But in my fall He will stay
God will remain with me even when everything else fails
To the sea I will love
I will seek out and cherish the natural beauty of the world
Higher mountains I will discover
I will continue to seek greater experiences and deeper connections with the world
From above, from above
I will look to God for guidance
From above, I will heal
Through divine intervention, I will find relief from my struggles
And I am just a prisoner here
I am limited by my physical existence and the constraints of the world
A breath away from another fear
My future is uncertain and unpredictable, and I am constantly vulnerable to fear and worry
Seasons one day will shed my soul
Just as the natural world undergoes cycles of change and renewal, so too will I eventually pass on from this life
This tent not mine Him in control
My physical existence is temporary and subject to divine will
And my emotions sometimes controls me
I am often overpowered by my own feelings and desires
And my pride can toll me
I am vulnerable to the negative effects of arrogance and self-importance
But as I was sent here I am loved
I am valued and cared for, despite my flaws and mistakes
In the realms of heaven up above
God and his love exist on a different plane of existence, beyond this world
Contributed by Landon O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.