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.
silent signs
DeYarmond Edison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and only your star studded birthday suit remains
long and tame
the end of Sunday
a gain that's lost like ones head now you're wishin'
don't be done
and the pain is just a comfort gone from missing
desire direction
and once a little vital laugh sings introspection
redefined
buried in brotherhood
my body's built much braver cause i once befriended
but gone from me know
and the rivets in my past continue moving me
like the bellows in bag pipes still blowing melody
silent signs
i warm my cold November hands under your thighs
stop my shiver
honey that's me you hear roarin' in your river
like how you hold me deep inside when currents quiver
i'm reading your heart
The song "Silent Signs" by DeYarmond Edison is an emotionally charged and introspective piece about coping with the pain of missing someone close to you. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about a past love on their birthday (a day that should be special), but they are gone and all that remains is the memory of their star-studded birthday suit. The pain of their absence is so strong that they wish that it wasn't true, that they could go back in time to when they were together.
The following verse is about how the absence of the loved one is like a comfort that's missing. The familiarity of their presence is gone, and the singer can't find comfort in anything else. They compare it to the rustling of leaves as the wind blows them away, leaving nothing behind. Even the slightest hint of the missing beloved, a whiff of a scent or a piece of clothing, would be enough to quell the longing for a little while.
The next verse talks about the singer's own personal growth through brotherhood, friendships, and experiences. They speak about how their body is now built much braver, but the price of that transformation has been losing the person they have bonded so closely within the past. The memories and experiences the missing loved one has shared with the singer have left a permanent impression on them, and like the bellows in bagpipes still blowing melody, they continue to be moved and shifted by them.
The chorus of the song is about the little signs that we give and receive from those closest to us. The small things that may go unnoticed by anyone else but are significant to the people involved. The singer expresses the desire to hold onto those things forever, like warming their cold November hands under their beloved's thighs. They speak of the comfort and reassurance they feel from their loved one's embrace, even during times of emotional turbulence.
Line by Line Meaning
Non given Tuesday,
It is an ordinary day of the week, not special or significant in any way.
and only your star studded birthday suit remains
You are naked, your body adorned with tattoos, piercings, and glitter, but nothing else.
long and tame
Things have been dragging on and there is a sense of boredom and predictability in life.
the end of Sunday
The weekend has come to an end, and a new week is about to start.
a gain that's lost like ones head now you're wishin'
Something that was once gained is now gone, and one is left with a sense of regret and longing.
don't be done
Don't give up, keep pushing forward despite the difficulties.
and the pain is just a comfort gone from missing
The pain that is felt is a result of something that was once comforting being now absent.
like the green leaving when the wind starts hissing
Similar to how green leaves fall off trees when the wind blows, things can change suddenly and without warning.
desire direction
There is a strong longing for a clear purpose or path in life.
and once a little vital laugh sings introspection
After a moment of lightheartedness, one is prompted to reflect on their inner thoughts and feelings.
redefined
A shift in perspective or understanding of oneself and the world around them.
buried in brotherhood
There is a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among friends.
my body's built much braver cause i once befriended
Being friends with someone has made one stronger, more resilient, and more courageous.
but gone from me know
Despite this supportive friendship, the person is now absent from their life.
and the rivets in my past continue moving me
Past experiences continue to influence one's present actions and decisions.
like the bellows in bag pipes still blowing melody
Similar to how air is blown into bagpipes to make music, certain memories or emotions can be a source of inspiration.
silent signs
There are subtle cues or messages that are not immediately obvious or apparent.
i warm my cold November hands under your thighs
The person seeks physical warmth and comfort from their partner during a cold November day.
stop my shiver
The physical discomfort of shivering is relieved by being close to their partner.
honey that's me you hear roarin' in your river
The person's presence and energy can be felt by their partner, similar to a fierce force of nature like a roaring river.
like how you hold me deep inside when currents quiver
Just as they seek warmth and comfort from their partner, their partner seeks emotional support and comfort from them when feeling uncertain or anxious.
i'm reading your heart
The person is able to understand their partner's thoughts and emotions without speaking, through their actions and body language.
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matthew Garnier
Non given tuesday,
and only your star studded birthday suit remains
long and tame
the end of sunday
a gain thats lost like ones head now you're wishin
dont be done
and the pain is just a comfort gone from missing
like the green leaving when the wind starts hissing
desire direction
and once a little vital laugh sings introspection
redefined
buried in brotherhood
my body's built much braver cause i once befriended
but gone from me know
and the rivets in my past continue moving me
like the bellows in bag pipes still blowing melody
silent signs
i warm my cold november hands under your thighs
stop my shiver
honey thats me you hear roarin in your river
like how you hold me deep inside when currents quiver
im reading your heart
David Moore
Such a beautiful track. I love the way the whole soundscape builds to a crescendo until the line "Silent signs, I warm my cold November hands under your thighs" when everything just fades away. It's as if everything in the background becomes just that, background, and all that matters is this beautiful moment of human contact and sharing warmth. An absolute gem of a track
Joshua J
just found out about this band, i had no idea this was a prelude to the sounds of Bon Iver.
Jananigans
This makes my heart weep in the best possible way.
MoonNymph775
"thats me you hear roarin in your river like how you hold me deep inside when currents quiver" Love his way with words
Daina Imperiale
Back again...
The beginnings, so sweet!
Justin has a piece of my soul.
~ Love, light, hope and music
Namaste 🕉🌱💙
Matthew Garnier
I always find myself back here from time to time
Matthew Garnier
Matthew Garnier and again
Oded Fried-Gaon
This guy is mega-good, or however you say it!!!!
Michael Z-C
Song of the day 12-05-2016: And not only my hands are November cold, and more than your warm thighs will do to thaw this heart's frosty discipline----as one frigid November binges towards another.
Michael Z-C
19/06/2019: i'll keep a bonfire for you