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.
Mercy of the Fallen
Dar Williams Lyrics
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I have held to you dearly,
I had asked you to steer me,
Till one cloud-scattered night,
I got lost and in my travels I met Leo the lion,
Met a king and met a giant, with their errant light,
There's the wind and the rain, and the mercy of the fallen,
There's the weak and the strong and the beds that have no answer,
And that's where I may rest my head tonight.
I saw all the bright people,
In imposing flocks they landed,
And they got what they demanded,
And they scratched at the ground.
Then they flew, and the field grew as sweetly for the flightless,
Who had longing yet despite this,
They could hear every sound.
There's the wind and the rain,
And the mercy of the fallen,
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
There's the weak and the strong and the beds that have no answer,
And that's where I may rest my head tonight.
If your sister or your brother were stumbling on their last mile,
In a self-inflicted exile,
You'd hope they'd meet a humble friend.
And I hope someday that the best of Falstaff's planners
Give me seven half-built manors,
Where half-dreams may dream without end.
There's the wind and the rain, and the mercy of the fallen,
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
There's the weak and the strong and the many stars that guide us,
We have some of them inside us.
The lyrics to Dar Williams's song "Mercy of the Fallen" are a complex exploration of the human desire for guidance, the struggle for self-determination, and the comfort of compassion. The singer of the song addresses their "fair North Star," a metaphor for a guiding principle or belief system that has sustained them through their journey. However, this guidance proves elusive, as the singer becomes lost and encounters other travelers who are similarly adrift. They see those who are "bright," successful, and demanding, but also witness those who are "flightless," with unfulfilled longings. In the face of these disparate experiences, the singer takes solace in the "wind and the rain" - the upheavals of life - and in the "mercy of the fallen," those who have experienced hardship and thus may be more humble and compassionate.
The last stanza of the song shifts to a more personal note, as the singer reflects on their hopes for others and for themselves. They express a desire for connection and empathy, imagining a situation in which they would want a "humble friend" for a struggling sibling. Finally, the singer admits to a dream of "seven half-built manors," incomplete but endlessly imaginative spaces where their "half-dreams may dream without end." This image suggests a recognition of the limitations of guidance and the value of the imagination in creating a meaningful life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my fair North Star,
Addressing the North Star, which has been held dearly and asked to provide guidance through difficult times.
I have held to you dearly,
Acknowledging the significance of the North Star and the attachment to its guidance.
I had asked you to steer me,
Requesting direction and guidance from the North Star.
Till one cloud-scattered night,
Until a night when clouds covered the North Star, making it difficult to see and follow.
I got lost and in my travels I met Leo the lion,
Getting lost on the journey and encountering obstacles, symbolized by meeting Leo the lion.
Met a king and met a giant, with their errant light,
Encountering other challenges and obstacles represented by a king and a giant, both with their own misguided ways.
There's the wind and the rain, and the mercy of the fallen,
Acknowledging the unpredictable and difficult nature of life and the compassion of those who have also struggled.
Who say they have no claim to know what's right.
Despite their setbacks, recognizing that these individuals still may not know the right path to take.
There's the weak and the strong and the beds that have no answer,
Acknowledging the differences in strength and the uncertainty of the future, symbolized by beds that offer no answers.
And that's where I may rest my head tonight.
Accepting the unpredictability of life and finding temporary comfort in the unknown future.
I saw all the bright people,
Observing others who seem to have found success and happiness.
In imposing flocks they landed,
Describing the way in which these successful individuals gather and appear all together.
And they got what they demanded,
Noting that these successful individuals likely achieved what they wanted through hard work and dedication.
And they scratched at the ground.
Implying that, despite their success, these individuals may still be searching and rooted to the ground rather than flying freely.
Then they flew, and the field grew as sweetly for the flightless,
Describing success and achievement as a way to fly freely and move forward, but recognizing the impact of that success on those who have not yet achieved it and their own journeys.
Who had longing yet despite this,
Acknowledging the desire for success in those who have not yet achieved it, despite the challenges they may face.
They could hear every sound.
Highlighting the keen awareness and perception of those who have struggled and not yet achieved success.
If your sister or your brother were stumbling on their last mile,
Hypothetically imagining a loved one who is struggling at the end of their journey.
In a self-inflicted exile,
Recognizing that this struggle may be self-imposed or internalized, rather than external.
You'd hope they'd meet a humble friend.
Desiring companionship and support for loved ones in this difficult time.
And I hope someday that the best of Falstaff's planners
Aspiring to be among the best and most successful in one's field or industry, like Falstaff's planners.
Give me seven half-built manors,
Expressing a desire for incomplete but promising opportunities, symbolized by half-built manors.
Where half-dreams may dream without end.
Desiring the opportunity to let one's dreams and aspirations continue and develop indefinitely.
And the many stars that guide us,
Reflecting on the many sources of guidance and inspiration available in life, symbolized by stars.
We have some of them inside us.
Noting that these sources of guidance and inspiration are not just external, but are also within oneself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAR WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind