DeYarmond Edison is a band of young men with a propensity for sounding old. Their modern elucidation of the singer-songwriter style comes from having soaked up the soul of the past, as well as a vision of the limitless potential for the future of Americana music. They ring it out on their audiences with a mature variety of instrumentation, including piano, banjo, blues harp, vibraphone, pedal steel guitar, organ, an array of electric and cross-acoustic guitars, fretless bass, and a drum set from the 1930's.
The songs are born from seasoned songwriter Justin Vernon (a Bug Music Nashville-published writer), and expanded, colored and filled in by brothers Phil and Brad Cook (who have been with Vernon for nine years), Brian Moen, Joe Westerlund, and Christopher Porterfield. Their stunning list of influences bleed through into their music without ever taking over DYE's own handle on originality. With feet in the grave of the blues, ala Muddy Waters and Mississippi John Hurt, through to the birth of new Americana music from composers such as Bill Frisell and singers like Richard Buckner – without ever leaving behind the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the high lonesome sounds of Ralph Stanley, the wickedness of Tom Waits, the sensibility of Bonnie Raitt, the R and B of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, the rock of Springsteen, tenderness of Jackson Browne and the hidden existentialism of John Prine. - From Volume One Mag
The band dissolved in 2006, with the Cooks and Westerlund going on to form Megafaun, and Justin Vernon leading Bon Iver. The band reunited to play two shows in their hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin in October of 2007.
dash
DeYarmond Edison Lyrics
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Up in the sky, as vague as your thesis
Unknown, how do I know you?
How do I know you?
All of us ache, for answers to questions
We’re up on the hillside, waiting, awaking
Oh Gabriel, when will you speak to me?
On the path to Damascus
At the dimming of the day
Paul was huddling the cross
Carving his name
Oh people, we’re all in the lion’s den
we’re all in the lion’s den
We think it’s all held together by services and sacrament
And faith is like permanence, clay bowls and firmament
Oh honey, I am the honest one
I am the honest one
Carl Jung and I are out on the ocean
He pokes me in the side, says they all feel the notion
And we’re moving, along with the slightest swells
Along with the slightest swells
The song "Dash" by DeYarmond Edison features thought-provoking lyrics that attempt to address fundamental questions of faith and belief. The opening lines ask how many ways one can think about Jesus, and immediately leave the listener puzzled and introspective. The next few lines express a sense of yearning for answers to questions that haunt us all. The reference to Gabriel further reinforces the theme of seeking divine guidance or communication through a heavenly messenger.
The middle section of the song alludes to the story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. The reference to "carving his name" suggests a transformational moment where Saul's previous identity as a persecutor of Christians was replaced by a new one as Paul, one of the most influential figures in the early church. The chorus also implies a sense of vulnerability or danger, where believers can be likened to prey in the proverbial lion's den.
The final stanza of the song makes an obscure reference to Carl Jung, a renowned psychiatrist who developed theories on the collective unconscious and archetypes. The interaction with Jung is not explained, but seems to suggest that the singer is seeking answers to questions that transcend traditional religious boundaries. The final metaphor of sailing on the ocean signifies a journey towards something greater beyond the horizon, with the slightest swells being the subtle movements towards that destination.
Line by Line Meaning
How many ways can you think about Jesus
There are countless ways to think about Jesus
Up in the sky, as vague as your thesis
Jesus is sometimes seen as a distant and unclear concept, much like an unclear thesis statement.
Unknown, how do I know you?
Despite Jesus' familiarity as a concept, it can be difficult to truly understand who he is.
All of us ache, for answers to questions
Everyone is searching for answers to their questions and doubts.
We’re up on the hillside, waiting, awaking
Metaphorically, people are on a journey to find clarity and meaning, and they are eagerly waiting for that moment of awakening.
Oh Gabriel, when will you speak to me?
People long for divine revelation and guidance.
On the path to Damascus
A reference to the story in the Bible where Saul had a life-changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. May also represent a journey towards self-discovery or enlightenment.
At the dimming of the day
This line evokes a sense of closure or end to something, which could represent a significant life change (e.g. conversion).
Paul was huddling the cross
A reference to the apostle Paul, who became a Christian shortly after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Carving his name
Paul's conversion was a significant moment in his life and may have been seen as a rebirth, a new identity being carved out for himself.
Oh people, we’re all in the lion’s den
Life can be a difficult and dangerous journey, and we are all vulnerable to the challenges we face.
We think it’s all held together by services and sacrament
Sometimes people rely too heavily on rituals and symbols to maintain their faith, without considering the deeper meaning behind them.
And faith is like permanence, clay bowls and firmament
Faith can offer a sense of permanence in a world of transience, much like clay bowls or a firmament (the heavens).
Oh honey, I am the honest one
The singer is asserting their honesty or authenticity, perhaps in contrast to others who may not be as truthful.
Carl Jung and I are out on the ocean
A reference to the famed psychologist Carl Jung and perhaps the idea of exploring the depths of the human psyche or searching for deeper meaning.
He pokes me in the side, says they all feel the notion
Jung (or a representation of the idea of introspection) seems to be suggesting that everyone has an innate intuition or sense of something more at work in the world.
And we’re moving, along with the slightest swells
Life is always changing, and we must be willing to move and adapt to the changes around us.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.