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.
IT'S ALRIGHT
Dar Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaks me down into a sorry sad thing,
Not some iridescent grateful butterfly
I'll resist with defiance
Not the power of a mystic silence
I will fight the dizzy spiral of goodbye
And it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Please don't say you don't love me
Never dangle any sword above me
With the kind of change that severs me in two
Give me amber rising glasses
Can you slow it down like molasses
As I salvage my old self away from you
And it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Because I have seen insane things
All those grand historic paintings
Morning light on polished swords and burnished pride
Ancient smiles encased in whalebone
Spines of steel from head to tailbone
Cannons poised to blast the turning of the tide
It's a sad and a strange thing
But it's time and I am changing
Into something good or bad, well that's your guess
I'm my own sovereign nation
Dedicated to a transformation
Marching on with this target on my chest
Oh yes, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright [Repeat: x5]
Dar Williams's song "It's Alright" is a heartfelt testament to the pain and uncertainty that comes with the process of change. The opening lines express the difficulty of this transformation, describing how change can "break" the singer "down into a sorry sad thing." They reject the idea that change brings a sense of growth and beauty, instead emphasizing that they will "resist with defiance" and "fight the dizzy spiral of goodbye." Throughout the song, the singer is struggling to cope with the unknown that comes with change, all while hoping that their loved ones won't abandon them along the way. They ask for understanding, for "amber rising glasses," and for a slowing of the process, so that they can adjust and move on at their own pace. The final lines suggest that change is inevitable, but that they will embrace it and continue to grow and learn, with or without the support of those around them.
One of the most striking features of "It's Alright" is the way in which Dar Williams incorporates historical imagery and themes into the lyrics. The lines about "grand historic paintings" and "morning light on polished swords" evoke an almost mythological sense of the past, while the reference to "whalebone" and "spines of steel" speak to a time of great physical endurance and strength. The song positions change as a historical narrative, something that has always been happening, and will continue to happen, regardless of individual efforts to resist or control it. At the same time, Williams is careful to give agency to the singer, who declares themselves a "sovereign nation" dedicated to "transformation." Ultimately, "It's Alright" reminds us that change is difficult, but also necessary, and that the process of letting go and moving forward is an essential part of being human.
Line by Line Meaning
I know change is a bad thing,
Admitting that change is not always a welcomed event in life.
Breaks me down into a sorry sad thing,
Leads to a feeling of remorse and sadness over the changes.
Not some iridescent grateful butterfly
Cannot just accept change easily and beautifully, like a butterfly.
I'll resist with defiance
Pledges to resist change with a fighting spirit.
Not the power of a mystic silence
Will not just sit quietly in hopes that the situation will resolve itself.
I will fight the dizzy spiral of goodbye
Will resist the feeling of being overwhelmed or unbalanced by leaving something behind.
And it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Despite the difficult emotions and resistance to change, everything will eventually be okay.
Please don't say you don't love me
Asks to not be hurt by someone saying that they no longer love them.
Never dangle any sword above me
Avoids causing more pain than necessary when delivering difficult news.
With the kind of change that severs me in two
Refers to a specific type of change that causes an extreme feeling of separation.
Give me amber rising glasses
Wants to see things through a more optimistic lens.
Can you slow it down like molasses
Asks for a slower, more gentle experience with the transition.
As I salvage my old self away from you
Trying to regain a sense of identity that was lost while in the previous situation.
Because I have seen insane things
Has witnessed many strange and intense incidents.
All those grand historic paintings
Has seen and experienced many historic events.
Morning light on polished swords and burnished pride
Has seen intense and memorable things during the early hours of the day.
Ancient smiles encased in whalebone
Has seen people from long ago who have left behind only their remains.
Spines of steel from head to tailbone
Has seen and experienced intense physical strength and dedication.
Cannons poised to blast the turning of the tide
Has seen weapons of war ready to take action.
It's a sad and a strange thing
Admits that experiencing all of these things is not always pleasant.
But it's time and I am changing
Acknowledges that time moves forward and people change.
Into something good or bad, well that's your guess
Leaves the interpretation of the changes up to others.
I'm my own sovereign nation
Asserts that the individual is one's own ruler.
Dedicated to a transformation
Committed to making significant changes.
Marching on with this target on my chest
Continuing to move forward, even while feeling vulnerable.
Oh yes, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Reiterates that everything will be okay in the end.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ianberman6486
I know change is a bad thing,
Breaks me down into a sorry sad thing,
Not some iridescent grateful butterfly
I'll resist with defiance
Not the power of a mystic silence
I will fight the dizzy spiral of goodbye
.
And it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
.
Please don't say you don't love me
Never dangle any sword above me
With the kind of change that severs me in two
Give me amber rising glasses
Can you slow it down like molasses
As I salvage my old self away from you
.
And it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
.
Because I have seen insane things
All those grand historic paintings
Morning light on polished swords and burnished pride
Ancient smiles encased in whalebone
Spines of steel from head to tailbone
Cannons poised to blast the turning of the tide
.
It's a sad and a strange thing
But it's time and I am changing
Into something good or bad, well that's your guess
I'm my own sovereign nation
Dedicated to a transformation
Marching on with this target on my chest
.
Oh yes, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright [Repeat: x5]
@marydiesel4469
This song is perfect for me today!
@kevinkmny
I'm completely humbled by her talent. Melody, rythmn, soul, balls, feel, songwriting, performance, harmony, authenticity... A TRUE artist.
@zazzletoysbenborkovitz5202
I first learned of her when I bought a book by her called the Tofu Tollbooth in the 90's. Listened to a few songs on Mortal City and didn't get into her at that point. What changed my mind was the song "After All" on the Green World...just, wow....
@hannahshapiro6987
Nothings alright. But love your music!!!
@dianeibsen5994
💗🙏💗
@MaeveLaFay
Dar has to be the greatest lyricist of the twenty-fist century.
@batfudgie
Oh, come on now ! Lucinda Williams to name one other female..
@laurianni
She's coming to town soon, and I can't wait. I first saw her with Joan Baez. Dar Williams is wonderful!
@Macnichol
Dar Williams is great - great songwriting, great voice.
@dianeibsen5994
It's all right🙏💗
Come to Washington State Dar.