Cornmeal has never been a band to shy away from reinvention and after over 15 years, they are proving just that as the band sets out with a reformed lineup, fresh energetic sound and a long awaited first studio album in over 9 years. A nationally recognized live music institution, Cornmeal is heavily influenced by American roots and folk music and seamlessly blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge a path all their own, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of bluegrass and live performance.
With the release of their debut album "In The Kitchen" (2001 Livin' Live records), Cornmeal secured its place as one of the top bands in its genre. 2003’s “Tales from Magic Stone Mountain” (Livin’ Live records) garnered much critical attention and became a staple on College and AAA top 10 lists throughout the country. In May of 2006, Cornmeal released their third album, “Feet First”, which became proof positive that Cornmeal’s tenure on the road brought on an honest and mature sound. Produced by former guitarist Kris Nowak and bassist Chris Gangi, "Feet First" features a strong confidence in songwriting, musicianship and the ability of this band to stylistically ride the fence and bring it back home without missing a step.
In the beginning of 2010, Cornmeal released their first live album, “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I” (2010 Livin’ Live Records), an album that pays tribute to the fans. Towards the end of 2011, Cornmeal released the follow up, “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. II” (2011 Livin’ Live Records). During this time the band went into the studio set to record their first album in over 5 years. Self produced by bassist Chris Gangi and tracked in Chicago at the prestigious Rax Trax recording studios, the process was cut short due to lineup changes and the album was shelved. After almost a year of auditions, rehearsals and wood shedding new material the band is poised to return to the same recording space to finish the album polishing the old material and setting forward with a new sound, new songs and a fresh perspective on the future.
While playing a blend of high profile venues, jam-band and bluegrass festivals to thousands nationally, Cornmeal has been a main stage act at some of the most renowned festivals in the country. These festivals include Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Magnolia Fest, Wakarusa Music Festival, and Summer Camp Music Festival as well as having performed on multiple stages at Bonnaroo, All Good Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, 10K Lakes, and many others. They pride themselves on the energy they put forth each night creating an unrivalled live performance that continues to shape itself into an energetic one of a kind experience. “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I & II” prove that Cornmeal continues to be a band to watch out for. Every show they play is a unique experience that leaves fans begging for more.
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Onward
Cornmeal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behind me leads a trail blazed by an aimless gale
And all the bridges I’ve burnt to bits as well
Through highlands and the low, through summer and through snow
The path that lies behind me leads to hell
But there ain’t no looking back, no looking back on this trail, on this trail
So far as I recall it terror was my ball
And I carried them chains for sure everywhere I’ve been
Whether city town or farm, what’s left behind is harm
Like locusts, plague, and famine follows sin
But there ain’t no looking back, no looking back on this trail, on this trail
There ain’t no looking back on this trail, on this trail
Well, onward I go as I wonder why this must be the trail for me
Yet, onward I go as I wander forever so aimlessly
Maybe someday soon I will be free
From the past that keeps on haunting me
Behind me leads a trail blazed by an aimless gale
And all the bridges I’ve burnt to bits as well
Through highlands and the low, through summer and through snow
The path that lies behind me leads to hell
But there ain’t no looking back, no looking back on this trail, on this trail
There ain’t no looking back on this trail, on this trail
In the song "Onward" by Cornmeal, the lyrics portray the struggle of moving forward from one's past, specifically the mistakes and wrongdoings that have led to burning bridges and a trail of harm. The singer acknowledges the path behind them as leading to "hell," but emphasizes the need to keep moving forward and not look back. The use of nature imagery in "an aimless gale" and "highlands and the low, through summer and through snow" suggests that this struggle is universal and will be experienced regardless of the environment or circumstances.
The singer's past is described as being fraught with "terror" and being burdened by "chains." The consequences of their actions are compared to "locusts, plague, and famine," which emphasizes the level of destruction and harm they caused. However, the singer is determined to keep moving forward, despite the uncertainty and aimlessness that they feel. The repetition of the phrase "onward I go" emphasizes the singer's perseverance in the face of adversity and their hope for eventual freedom from their past.
Overall, "Onward" is a powerful and introspective song that emphasizes the struggle of moving forward from one's past mistakes and the importance of perseverance and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Behind me leads a trail blazed by an aimless gale
The path I walked on was never planned and guided by unpredictable circumstances
And all the bridges I've burnt to bits as well
I destroyed all possibilities to look back and regret my decisions
Through highlands and the low, through summer and through snow
I went through various stages and phases of life, good and bad
The path that lies behind me leads to hell
My past was full of pain and regret
But there ain't no looking back, no looking back on this trail, on this trail
I have to move on and face the future, no matter what happened behind me
So far as I recall it terror was my ball
Fear and anxiety controlled me for a long time, shaping my actions and thoughts
And I carried them chains for sure everywhere I’ve been
I felt trapped and burdened by my own fears and insecurities and couldn't escape them
Whether city town or farm, what’s left behind is harm
Everywhere I went, I left behind a trail of destruction and pain
Like locusts, plague, and famine follows sin
My bad decisions and actions led to more pain, suffering, and destruction
Well, onward I go as I wonder why this must be the trail for me
I keep moving forward, even though I don't understand why life took me on this path
Yet, onward I go as I wander forever so aimlessly
I keep walking, even though I don't have a clear direction or purpose
Maybe someday soon I will be free
I hope that one day I will overcome my fears and find inner peace
From the past that keeps on haunting me
My past mistakes and regrets still haunt me and prevent me from moving on
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.