Most recently, Dessa published a book under the Doomtree banner. Spiral Bound, her collection of essays and poetry, was dubbed a “dazzling literary debut” by the City Pages and “witty and desperately honest” by Alive Magazine.
A Badly Broken Code, her solo full-length record was released in January 2010 to an eagerly waiting number of listeners and music-writers alike. It earned 4 stars from Urb Magazine, a mention in Spin, and rave reviews from publications across the country.
Sound the Bells
Dessa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun rose from the west today
I doubt we'll ever see it set
Oh, and boys, bear it well
Put all your paper maps away
Mercator here can't help
Go lift your sails up for one last swell
Sound the bells
Looks like our writing on the wall
Is lorem ipsum after all
A higher tide will wash it all
Wash it all away
The lighthouse keeper's last relay
Hand shadows and a final wave
Now's the time to rouse yourself
Spend the strength you've saved
Go lift your sails up for one last swell
Go lift yourselves up to sound the bells
Sound the bells
"Dessa's song Sound the Bells is a poignant track that carries a strong message about the impermanence of life and the need to live in the moment. The first verse of the song calls out to boys to sound the bells, signifying an announcement of something significant. The line 'the sun rose from the west today' is a metaphor for a sudden change or unexpected event. It suggests that the world has been turned upside down, and things may never be the same again. The second line, 'I doubt we'll ever see it set,' reinforces this idea that the future is uncertain and that life is fleeting.
The next few lines urge the boys to put away their paper maps, as Mercator (a famous cartographer) can't help them navigate the new world they find themselves in. The chorus then calls for the lifting of sails, and the sounding of bells, symbolizing an invitation to embrace change and to live life to the fullest, even in the face of uncertainty. The second verse speaks to the transience of human existence, the ephemeral nature of all things, and the inevitability of change. The writing on the wall, which we assume to be a permanent statement, is in fact meaningless— just like the lorem ipsum text used as a placeholder in design work. The final lines of the song speak to the importance of seizing the day and using our time wisely, as the lighthouse keeper waves one last goodbye, and we are reminded that the time to act is now."
Line by Line Meaning
Boys, sound the bells
Call for attention or action
The sun rose from the west today
A rare or unexpected event occurred
I doubt we'll ever see it set
The outcome is uncertain or unlikely
Oh, and boys, bear it well
Stay strong and endure
Put all your paper maps away
Don't rely on outdated or irrelevant knowledge
Mercator here can't help
It's time to let go of the past
Looks like our writing on the wall
The signs indicate a certain outcome
Is lorem ipsum after all
Our plans or expectations are not as we thought
A higher tide will wash it all
External forces will bring change
Wash it all away
The old will be replaced with the new
The lighthouse keeper's last relay
The final message or warning
Hand shadows and a final wave
The last gestures or actions
Now's the time to rouse yourself
Wake up and take action
Spend the strength you've saved
Use your energy or resources wisely
Go lift your sails up for one last swell
Make the most of the opportunity before it's gone
Go lift yourselves up to sound the bells
Take responsibility and act upon the call
Sound the bells
Take action or mobilize others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juxtapoz82
Had to watch this over after reading her book! Once you read the challenges behind this video it makes it even more impressive
@ThePimmy11
Ha I'm doing the same right now!
@oneandoneeleven
Just read it in the book!
@christashores8522
Same!
@tonif74
How is she not more popular.. My god she is amazing... I have loved her music for a few years now!
@WolfgirlExtraordinaire
Same. She's my favorite.
@blake4084
Everything Dessa touches is such an amazing and powerful peace of art. She's the greatest.
@rickmartin3234
A video damn near as stunning as the artist and mind behind the song. Bravo to all involved in this project.
@televisionremote
I am an American merchant sailor and I loved this. One of the few artists since Stan Rogers or Gordon Lightfoot's "Edmund Fitzgerald" to write a song that seriously captures loss and seafaring.
Stunning video as well, the stone people are perfect for this song. Bravo! Will share with all my seafaring friends.
@yoohoodrinker566
Damn. Now I wanna set sail in search of my white whale