Describing themselves as “string-rock”, the band started up in 2009 and quickly took hold of New England’s musical imagination. Playing over 100 shows during their first year of touring, the band created a seamless, exhilarating sound at the intersection of rock, classical, and folk music. Their self-produced six-song EP 1 earned high praise for its craftsmanship and originality, and their brand new subscription album Pilot Machines was released in 2012.
Hold Your Head Up High
Darlingside Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A let-go-of balloon
Nothing is forever, everything is soon
And my father as he stands
A perfect cartoon man
Heavy-sighed and open-eyed, I heard him speak
Hold your head up high
Rise it up, it's fine terrain
The time will come again
And misery's no rest for weary gentlemen
See that humankind is you
Like all the rest, down to
The scratches on the album that you're singing to
Hold your head up high
Hold your head up high
Through the light and through the shadow
I won't wait it out, wait it out
Hold your head up high
Hold your head up high
Hold your head up high
Biting clovers in the lawn
A solitary fawn
Underground, the new life thunders up and on
In Darlingside's song "Hold Your Head Up High," the lyrics seem to be a message of encouragement and hope. The opening lines depict the transience of things, how everything eventually comes to an end. The use of a balloon as a metaphor for life drifting away follows this idea of letting go of things that are beyond our control. The analogy can be seen as uplifting as it implies that it is up to us what we do next.
The lyrics refer to the singer's father, a "perfect cartoon man" who is wise and authoritative, and his advice to "hold your head up high." The chorus is a repeated affirmation to maintain dignity and perspective when faced with challenges, to believe in oneself and keep going.
The song's bridge shifts into a personal outlook, where the listener is urged to see themselves as part of humankind, not alone in their struggles. The lyrics suggest that we must endure life's difficulties, it will come again, and one must be prepared for the ups and downs. Even in the depths of "misery," one must maintain their composure amidst the struggles.
The final verse creates images of renewal, growth, and hope, with a fawn, the symbol of innocence and rebirth, and the growth of new life beneath the earth's surface.
Overall, the song Hold Your Head Up High is a statement of encouragement and hope against the difficulties of life. It promotes the idea that while things come and go, strength from within and the ability to face adversity with confidence, dignity, and positivity can make life's problems more bearable.
Line by Line Meaning
How it rambles 'round the moon
This line represents how life is a journey, just like the orbit of the moon around the Earth, moving in an endless loop.
A let-go-of balloon
Like a balloon released into the air, our lives can feel directionless or out of control.
Nothing is forever, everything is soon
Everything in life is fleeting, including good times and bad, so it's important to remember to cherish every moment that we have.
And my father as he stands
This line represents the memories of the singer's father and the influence that he had in his life.
A perfect cartoon man
The singer's father is described as a perfect and larger-than-life character, seemingly pulled from a cartoon.
Heavy-sighed and open-eyed, I heard him speak
The singer remembers his father vividly, including the way he breathed and the sound of his voice.
Hold your head up high
This line is a message of encouragement to the listener, inspiring them to not give up in the face of adversity.
Rise it up, it's fine terrain
This line is an invitation to see the world as a beautiful and welcoming place, even in tough times.
The time will come again
This line is a reminder that everything in life is cyclical, which means that bad times will eventually give way to better ones.
And misery's no rest for weary gentlemen
This line means that even when we're feeling down, we can't allow ourselves to give in to despair or restlessness.
See that humankind is you
This line is an invitation to see ourselves as part of a larger community of humans, connected by our shared experiences and struggles.
Like all the rest, down to
This line highlights the fact that every human has their own struggles, but we can find common ground in our shared humanity.
The scratches on the album that you're singing to
This line is a metaphor for the fact that we can find beauty and meaning in things that have been worn down or damaged over time.
Through the light and through the shadow
This line represents the ebb and flow of life, encompassing both good times and bad.
I won't wait it out, wait it out
This line is a declaration that the singer won't just wait around for things to improve, but will actively work to change their circumstances.
Biting clovers in the lawn
This line brings to mind a peaceful moment of enjoying nature and the simple things in life.
A solitary fawn
This line represents the beauty and fragility of life, as well as the sense of being alone in the world.
Underground, the new life thunders up and on
This line symbolizes the idea that even when things seem dark and dormant, new life and opportunities are always just around the corner.
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@courtneybumstead1255
I need a "this is us" playlist. The songs they choose are always impeccable.
@xannecorinnex
What a wonderful way to end Season 3 of "This Is Us" especially when Beth said, "Baby... we set the world on fire" just perfect. ♡
@ProfHoff
WHO IS HERE BECAUSE OF THIS IS US???
@jameslayman6029
ME!
@jackcarney5989
Me
@abingtonimpact9836
Yes!
@erin8205
Me!!!
@anjolaakinmade7832
MEEEEEE
@lucky5452
Just heard this on the season finale of This is Us....gorgeous song....worked beautifully with the show...
@suemitchell2300
My new favorite song from TIU