There are two artists that go by Chanticleer.

The first is San Fran… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists that go by Chanticleer.

The first is San Francisco-based ensemble known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. Called “the world's reigning male chorus,” by The New Yorker, and named 2008 Ensemble of the Year by Musical America, Chanticleer will perform more than 100 concerts in 2013-14, the Grammy Award-winning ensemble’s 36th Season. Praised by The San Francisco Chronicle for their “tonal luxuriance and crisply etched clarity,” Chanticleer will tour to 21 of the United States and 12 foreign countries this season, including appearances at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, New York's St. Ignatius Loyola, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Vienna's Musikverein, and Prague's Rudolfinum In 2009, Chanticleer made debut appearances in Ireland and the People's Republic of China and will return to the latter in June for Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

The second is Salt Lake City indie folk artist Andrew Shaw, who also heads a band, The Adonis.

The Garden of Paradise: Lullaby
Chanticleer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Akbar stirs the chai,
then carries his sleeping four-year-old,
Habib, to bed under glow-in-the-dark
stars arranged on the ceiling. Late at night
when gunfire frightens them both,
Habib cries for his father, who tells him
It’s just the drums of a new music,
And the tracery of lights in the sky

he retraces on the ceiling, showing the boy

how each bright star travels
from this dark place, to the other.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chanticleer's song "The Garden of Paradise: Lullaby" convey a poignant and tender moment between a father and his young son. The first verse introduces us to Akbar, who is depicted as a caring and nurturing father figure. As he stirs the chai, a traditional Indian tea, it illustrates his role as a provider and caretaker in the family.

The lyrics then describe Akbar carrying his four-year-old son, Habib, to bed. This simple act of physically carrying his son suggests the father's love and protection for his child. The mention of the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling adds a touch of whimsy and imagination to the scene, creating a peaceful and comforting environment for Habib's slumber.

The lyrics take a darker turn when gunfire breaks out, disturbing both father and son. Here, Habib's fear is evident as he cries out for his father. However, instead of dismissing his son's fears, Akbar responds with reassurance and gentleness. He explains to Habib that the sound they hear is not something to be feared but rather a new form of music. This highlights the father's loving approach to calming his son's anxieties, embracing the power of music as a source of comfort and connection.

The final verse of the lyrics poetically depicts Akbar's attempt to divert Habib's attention away from the frightening sounds outside. He recreates the starry sky on the ceiling, retracing the movement of each bright star to show his son that these lights, which may represent hope and dreams, travel from the darkness to another place. In doing so, Akbar not only provides a visual distraction for his son but also imparts a valuable lesson about the transcendence of beauty and light, even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty.

Overall, the lyrics of "The Garden of Paradise: Lullaby" presents a tender and heartfelt moment between a father and his young son. It emphasizes the power of love, reassurance, and creativity in shielding a child from the harsh realities of the world and nurturing their sense of wonder and security.

Line by Line Meaning

Akbar stirs the chai,
Akbar prepares a warm, soothing drink,

then carries his sleeping four-year-old,
and gently lifts his peacefully slumbering four-year-old child,

Habib, to bed under glow-in-the-dark
named Habib, to his cozy bed adorned with glowing patterns

stars arranged on the ceiling. Late at night
depicting stars meticulously arranged on the ceiling. During the late hours of the night,

when gunfire frightens them both,
when sudden sounds of gunfire startle them, causing fear in their hearts,

Habib cries for his father, who tells him
Habib, overcome with distress, calls out for his father, who comforts him by saying

It’s just the drums of a new music,
that it's merely the rhythm of a different kind of music,

And the tracery of lights in the sky
and the intricate pattern created by the lights scattered across the night sky

he retraces on the ceiling, showing the boy
which he gently traces on the ceiling, demonstrating to his son

how each bright star travels
how every luminous star journeys

from this dark place, to the other.
from this realm of darkness to the realms beyond.