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.
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DeYarmond Edison Lyrics
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One long day you'll come to atest
All you healin', all of your bleedin'
Lay those mighty hands to rest
Crush the dirt and bury your heart there
There's holding patterns for a son
All your worth, all of your empathy
At the gate, you'll be signin' up your name
And your face will fall into the fate
Won't you heed your mark
But is it somethin' that you leave
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Burn the cedar, hear the crackle
'Cause now just supersedes the past
I'm believin', in the needin'
'Cause I have grown old with you
With you, I've sold the dying sun
Come the moon, to rest and colors run
When you heed your mark
And is it somethin' that you leave
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Not in charity, not in family
Lived together in a world
All my hope, all of my history
I am here for others now
At the gate we'll be signin' up a name
And your face will fall into the fate
When you heed your mark
Is it somethin' that you leave
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
And when you heed your mark
And if it's somethin' that you leave
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it somethin' that you feel
The lyrics of "We" by DeYarmond Edison are full of introspective and reflective sentiments about life and purpose. The song starts with the lines, "Split your wood, and carry your water, one long day you'll come to attest." The first verse speaks of the need to work hard, to perform daily labor, and to continue with such effort. The idea is that eventually, one will gain recognition and achievements, and there will be a benchmark to live up to.
The second verse talks about the complex nature of emotions and relationships. It takes the listener on a journey through emotions and experiences of love, pain, and empathy. The lines, "Crush the dirt and bury your heart there, all your worth, all of your empathy, will color your hands when you are done," express that the heartaches and struggles of one's journey will leave marks on them.
The song then leads to the bridge, in which the listener is faced with the concept of fate. "At the gate, you'll be signin' up your name, and your face will fall into the fate" implies that no matter how hard one works or how empathetic one may be, destiny will take its course. The final verse speaks of the interconnectedness and unity of humanity. "Not in charity, not in family, lived together in a world, all my hope, all of my history, I am here for others now" reminds the listener that we are all in this world together and should care for one another.
Overall, "We" by DeYarmond Edison creates a vivid picture of the human experience, its struggles, emotions, and interconnectedness.
Line by Line Meaning
Split your wood, and carry your water
Work hard and take care of yourself.
One long day you'll come to atest
Life will test you in various ways, and it will take time to come out on top.
All you healin', all of your bleedin'
All the pain and suffering you have experienced throughout your life.
Lay those mighty hands to rest
It's time to let go of the pain and move on.
Crush the dirt and bury your heart there
Take the pain and bury it deep within you.
There's holding patterns for a son
There are patterns that you have inherited from your ancestors, and you need to break out of them.
All your worth, all of your empathy
All the good deeds you do throughout your life and the ability to feel empathy towards others.
Will color your hands when you are done
Your actions will define who you are and the legacy you leave behind.
At the gate, you'll be signin' up your name
You will eventually have to answer for your actions.
And your face will fall into the fate
You will face the consequences of your actions.
Won't you heed your mark
Will you listen to your conscience?
But is it somethin' that you leave
Is your legacy something tangible that you leave behind?
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or is it something that others feel when they think of you?
Burn the cedar, hear the crackle
Experience the warmth of the moment.
'Cause now just supersedes the past
Live in the moment since what is happening now is more important than what has already passed.
I'm believin', in the needin'
Believing in the need for love and connection with others.
'Cause I have grown old with you
Having experienced life with someone and grown together.
With you, I've sold the dying sun
Together you have faced difficult times.
Come the moon, to rest and colors run
Endings come, and it's time to rest and reflect on the beauty of life.
Not in charity, not in family
Your purpose in life is not only to provide for your family and help those in need but also to connect with the world around you.
Lived together in a world
We are all connected and living in the same world.
All my hope, all of my history
Your hopes and experiences make up your identity.
I am here for others now
You have a responsibility to help and connect with others.
And when you heed your mark
When you listen to your conscience
And if it's somethin' that you leave
And if your legacy is something tangible that you leave behind
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or if it's something intangible that others feel when they think of you
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or if it's something internal that you feel when you look back on your life.
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or if it's something internal that drives you to live a meaningful life.
Or is it somethin' that you feel
Or if it's something internal that guides you forward in life.
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.