Her studio album My Better Self finds Dar at an unequivocally brazen crossroads. Reflecting on American politics, the disillusionment and apathy of youth, and the female experience, Dar makes no apology for her outspoken beliefs.
Her 2008 album, entitled Promised Land. indieduck.com notes that "Williams turns over relationships in all their misunderstood, misconnected glory, and embraces religion, gender and other complications in her very wise songs. Promised Land draws in themes of nature, as well, and on the whole is a pretty piece of work that ends up feeling upbeat despite itself."
Her most recent album, 2012's In The Time Of The Gods, has a theme of Greek mythology running through it. The You Will Ride With Me Tonight Songfacts reports that Williams got the idea whilst driving on an isolated highway, during a trip from New York to Ontario.
Arrival
Dar Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They fly over the blue.
They finish their dinner and then they take one another's hand.
And off they go to find a broader point of view.
For it's a give and take beyond the ordinary.
What with all the cats and kid's that they've loved.
And they will not be alone.
My friends give me purple flowers and orange tea
On goosedown spilling quilts and turquoise chairs
We greet each other in a wild profusion of words
And wave farewell amidst the wonderment of air
And in the laughing times we know that we are lucky
And in the quiet times we know that we are blessed
And we will not be alone
Well, the light that stopped the night felt like forgiveness to you
As the garbage trucks came bustling through their rounds
You stared at the pictures on your wall and all the postcards from your friends
As you heard the birds and old familiar sounds
An that's when you knew this world can't be saved, only discovered
And you knew things could be different than before
And you will not be alone anymore
The first stanza of Dar Williams's song Arrival speaks about the singer's parents who are a miracle, and they soar above the blue. This Image of flying above the earth signifies that the singer considers her parents to be beyond ordinary, and they have a broader perception of life. It also indicates their desire to learn new things and their constant search for knowledge. The line "And off they go to find a broader point of view." reinforces this idea.
In the second stanza, the singer talks about her friends who give her purple flowers and orange tea. The gifts and the way they are exchanged – on goosedown spilling quilts and turquoise chairs – set the stage for an intimate and warm exchange. The third line, "We greet each other in a wild profusion of words," emphasizes the exuberant nature of their friendship. The fourth line, "And wave farewell amidst the wonderment of air," conveys a sense of nostalgia and the recognition that life is fleeting. The singer expresses her gratitude for the laughter and the quiet times they share, which make her feel lucky and blessed. She recognizes that she, too, will not be alone.
The final stanza talks about the singer's realization that this world can't be saved, only discovered. It implies that she understands that there are limitations to what humankind can accomplish, and that discovering and learning about this world is the real task at hand. The light that stops the night is a metaphor for hope and forgiveness, which the singer feels amid the noises of busy trucks and the chirping sound of familiar birds. She looks at the pictures and postcards on the wall, feeling grateful for the friendships they represent. The final line, "And you will not be alone anymore," suggests that the singer has found solace in the recognition that others are with her on this journey of discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
My dad's a miracle and so's my mom.
Both my parents are amazing and I am grateful for them.
They fly over the blue.
They travel and explore beyond the limits, over the open blue sky.
They finish their dinner and then they take one another's hand.
They support and care for each other, starting with the little things like holding hands after dinner.
And off they go to find a broader point of view.
They seek to expand their perspectives, explore new ideas and possibilities.
For it's a give and take beyond the ordinary.
Their relationship is not just typical, it involves mutual exchange, compromise and understanding.
What with all the cats and kids that they've loved.
In addition to their own children, they have also cared for and cherished their pets and other kids.
And they will not be alone.
They have a strong bond with each other and won't feel isolated or lonely.
My friends give me purple flowers and orange tea
My friends show their care and affection in thoughtful ways, like giving me gifts of flowers and tea in vibrant colors.
On goosedown spilling quilts and turquoise chairs
We relax and spend time together in cozy spaces furnished with comfortable and colorful items.
We greet each other in a wild profusion of words
We express ourselves with enthusiasm and lots of words when we meet each other.
And wave farewell amidst the wonderment of air
We say goodbye in a moment of amazement, maybe gazing at the sky or something beautiful around us.
And in the laughing times we know that we are lucky
We feel fortunate and happy when we share moments full of laughter and joy.
And in the quiet times we know that we are blessed
We recognize our own blessings, even in moments of silence or solitude.
And we will not be alone
We have meaningful connections with each other, and we can count on that even when life gets tough.
Well, the light that stopped the night felt like forgiveness to you
You find comfort and redemption in some moments of light, peace or serenity, during the difficult times of your life.
As the garbage trucks came bustling through their rounds
You hear the noise and chaos of the outside world, represented by the garbage trucks doing their job.
You stared at the pictures on your wall and all the postcards from your friends
You take a moment to look at the memories and messages that have been given to you by the people you care about.
As you heard the birds and old familiar sounds
You also listen to the natural and familiar sounds around you, like birds chirping or distant conversations.
And that's when you knew this world can't be saved, only discovered
You realize that the world is not perfect and cannot be fixed or saved completely, but you can still find new things to explore and learn.
And you knew things could be different than before
You feel hopeful that things can change for the better.
And you will not be alone anymore
You gain a sense of belonging and companionship, knowing that you have people who care about you and share similar experiences and perspectives.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN PARSONS, ERIC WOOLFSON, ERIC NORMAN WOOLFSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind