As with most aspiring musical groups, By the Tree got their start playing a series of small venues — predominantly churches — throughout the southern and southwestern United States. Their near-constant touring cultivated a sizeable fan base.
In 1999 they released two independent, self-produced CDs, which they sold at their concerts. By 2001, these two CDs had sold a combined 30,000 units, which more than recouped their production costs, and additionally brought them to the attention of the Gospel music industry.
The band eventually signed with Fervent Records, part of the BMG music publishing company. Their first national U.S. commercial recording was Invade My Soul. The album charted in the Billboard Top 40 in the Contemporary Christian and Independent categories. The album eventually went on to win two Dove Awards: The album itself won Best Modern Rock/Alternative Album, and the album's title track won Best Recorded Song.
The band has gone through numerous lineup changes since signing with Fervent. Drummer Aaron Blanton joined the group prior to the recording of Invade My Soul, and bassist Ben Davis joined in 2002 for the recording of These Days. Original member Kevin Rhoads left the band shortly after the release of These Days and was replaced by Charlie Goddard, who left the band in 2003 to join the Jeff Deyo Band.
By the Tree has released four albums under the Fervent label, and they remain one of the more popular acts in Contemporary Christian music.
Chuck Dennie now lives in Franklin, TN with his wife Joanne.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/bythetree
these days
By The Tree Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And set your sails for another place
All this time I thought I knew
That you would be mine, and I would be yours too
Yeah, yeah, these days, yeah
I need to be with you and spend a little time
While your gone I will wait here for you
[Chorus:]
I'll be with you when you feel no emotion
I'll be with you when you can't find a way out
I'll be with you when you feel no emotion
I will wait for you, I will be here for you
You went to places you've never been
You got into things you never thought that you'd get in
Fell in deep into a wishing well
Looking for freedom you found a prison cell
In the song These Days by By The Tree, the singer talks about his significant other leaving town alone one day and setting sails for another place. Despite having thought that he would have his significant other by his side, they have left which causes him to long for their presence. They are looking to spend a little time with each other, and the singer promises to be there for their significant other when they need someone - even if it's when they feel no emotion or when they can't find a way out. The significant other went to places they've never been and got into things they never thought they would get in. As they fell deep into a wishing well, looking for freedom, they found themselves trapped in a prison cell.
The singer in These Days is desperate for his significant other to return to him, and he promises to be there for them no matter what. The lyrics express the struggles of long-distance relationships, followed by difficult times that can make either person feel alone or lost. The chorus reassures the significant other that they need not worry and that they will always have a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and someone that will be there to pick them up when they are feeling down. By emphasizing that they will be there for their significant other even during their worst times, the singer is promising to support them through thick and thin, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
You left town alone the day
On that fateful day, you departed the town alone
And set your sails for another place
You embarked on a journey to a foreign destination
All this time I thought I knew
Throughout this period, I was confident that I understood you well
That you would be mine, and I would be yours too
I believed that we had a mutual relationship and that we belonged to each other
Yeah, yeah, these days, yeah
Currently, at present, nowadays
I need to be with you and spend a little time
I yearn to be in your company and have some quality time together
While your gone I will wait here for you
During your absence, I will patiently wait for you here
[Chorus:]
The following lines are the chorus of the song
I'll be with you when you feel no emotion
I will still support and stay by your side even when you are emotionally numb
I'll be with you when you can't find a way out
I won't abandon you when you are lost and unable to navigate your way out of a troubling situation
I'll be with you when you feel no emotion
My presence and support will continue even when you are struggling to experience any emotions
I will wait for you, I will be here for you
I will patiently wait for you, being present and supportive throughout your journey
You went to places you've never been
You explored and travelled to destinations you had never visited before
You got into things you never thought that you'd get in
You involved yourself in activities you never anticipated that you'd participate in
Fell in deep into a wishing well
You fell profoundly into a pessimistic mindset
Looking for freedom you found a prison cell
Your quest for liberation led you to an entrapment in confinement
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHUCK DENNIE, KEVIN RHOADS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind