Cris's stellar vocals and compelling persona are regarded as legendary for good reason. Despite being like a well-kept secret, and dwelling almost completely in the independent music world, she nonetheless had an impact worldwide. During an interview in Washington, D.C., she conceived of a national all-women's record company, which subsequently issued her now-legendary classic, The Changer and the Changed -- one of the best-selling independent releases of all time. Cris's Music was embraced and so-called by audiences hungry for fresh, bold sound able to match the uncharted waters of the mid-seventies. It took close to a decade for the genre to earn a critical reception, and by that time Cris's astounding vocals were earning reviews sounding as though they were penned by close relatives. Finally, the stage had been set for women, and
particularly for lesbians, to write, produce, record, and issue their own material -- on their own terms. Heralded by The Boston Globe as, "a brilliant lyricist and composer", Cris's music has always defied categorization. Whether it's the vibrant clarity of Blue Rider, or the live concert recording celebrating the (then) fifteenth anniversary of the anthemic Changer, Williamson continues to traverse the musical and lyrical map. A dynamic performer, she electrifies, empowers, and enlightens audiences across the generational and musical spectrum.
For nearly 30 years, Cris has toured incessantly, performing in Russia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. One of the most sought-after performers on the acoustic circuit, she continues to criss-cross America, selling out Carnegie Hall three times, and headlining among others, the Newport and Kerrville Folk Festivals.
For Cris, the music has always been the vehicle for something larger. Her lyrics appear on a regular basis in books and thesis papers. Her albums are part of the curriculum for women's studies courses, and thousands of people who may not even know her name join their voices in "Song of the Soul" around campfires and places of worship. She is often considered a treasure, passed hand-to-hand, person-to-person.
Says the Boston Phoenix, "Williamson is an heroic character whose tireless activism continues." Indeed. She has appeared on a multitude of benefit records including On A Winter's Night and Legacy, the late Michael Callen's final project. On behalf of Native American issues, she has helped the weavers of Big Mountain, and performed with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, Floyd Westerman and John Trudell on the Water for Life Tour.
Cris has as shared her talents with an incredibly diverse array of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Holly Near, Vicki Randle, and Laurie Lewis. She also played a part in Kate Wolf's tribute CD. Recently, Cris has devoted a portion of her heart and time to The Songbird Foundation, sharing the stage and cause with Bonnie Raitt, Danny O’Keefe, Tom Robbins and Keb Mo.
Considered by many to be her finest work to date, Ashes, her latest CD on her own label, Wolf Moon Records, is a powerhouse collection of 12 artfully-crafted songs which read like a map of the heart's own landscape.
Waterfall
Cris Williamson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to let you know
Everything's gonna be - all right
All right
I've been dreaming in the sun
Won't you wake me up someone
I need a little piece of mind
Wake me from this dream
That I have dreamed so many times
I need a little piece of mind
Oh, I need a little piece of mind
When you open up your life to the living
All things come spilling in on you
And you're flowing like a river
The Changer and the Changed
You've got to spill some over
Spill some over
Spill some over
Over all
Filling up and spilling over
It's an endless waterfall
Filling up and spilling over
Over all
Filling up and spilling over
It's an endless waterfall
Filling up and spilling over
Over all
Like the rain, falling on the ground
Like the rain, falling all around
Sometimes it takes a rainy day
Just to let you know
Everything's gonna be - All right
I know, I know, I know all right
Filling up and spilling over
An endless waterfall
Filling up and spilling over
Over all
Filling up and spilling over
It's an endless waterfall
Filling up and spilling over
Over all
Ah ba bah, ba ba ba dum ba ba da bum ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Ah ba bah, ba ba ba dum ba ba da bam ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
(Filling up and spilling over)
The song "Waterfall" by Cris Williamson is a tranquil and introspective song that delves into the concept of finding peace and solace within oneself. The opening verse highlights the importance of rainy days as they allow us to appreciate the good times and acknowledge that everything will work out eventually. The next verse centers around a dream of peace and tranquility and the singer desires someone to shake them out of the repeated dream and allow them some peace of mind. The chorus emphasizes the need to open up your life to new experiences, even if it means dealing with the inevitable hardships of life. The ending verse stresses the importance of finding solace within yourself and the need to "spill some over" to others, allowing them to feel the same peace and tranquility as the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it takes a rainy day
Occasionally, a bad day is needed to recognize that things will eventually get better.
Just to let you know
To make sure you're aware, to bring it into your knowledge.
Everything's gonna be - all right
Everything will be okay. Don't worry.
I've been dreaming in the sun
I've been living in a happy, comfortable world, ignoring the truth.
Won't you wake me up someone
Can't someone bring me out of this dream-like state?
I need a little piece of mind
I need some peace to rest my mind and stop my constant worrying.
Wake me from this dream
Get me out of this illusion and back into reality.
That I have dreamed so many times
I've repeated this false hope to myself multiple times.
When you open up your life to the living
When you let others into your life, everything changes.
All things come spilling in on you
All kinds of emotions and experiences come flooding in when you open yourself up to others.
And you're flowing like a river
You feel emotions and experience events like water flows through a river.
The Changer and the Changed
Both you and the people who come into your life are going to change each other.
You've got to spill some over
You need to share what you've learned and experienced with others.
Spill some over
Share the love and knowledge you've gained with others.
Like the rain, falling on the ground
Just like rain, experiences fall into our lives, changing and shaping us.
Like the rain, falling all around
Experiences are happening everywhere, all around us, all the time.
Filling up and spilling over
You're taking in all the experiences and emotions, and sharing them with others.
It's an endless waterfall
Experiences and emotions are never-ending.
Over all
Above all, this is what truly matters.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind