Devendra Obi Banhart (born May 30, 1981) is a Venezuelan American singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Devendra Obi Banhart (born May 30, 1981) is a Venezuelan American singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. His first few records were released on the Young God Records label from New York City. His most recent CD was released by Nonesuch. He is one of the most popular artists to come out of the "New Weird America" movement, which includes performers such as Faun Fables, Viking Moses, Jack Rose, Jana Hunter, Arborea, The MV & EE Medicine Show, Currituck Co., Six Organs of Admittance, and The Royal We, among others. He also often joins the band known as Vetiver.

Banhart is considered to have an eclectic style, with many of his songs seemingly following a stream-of-consciousness vein, being hard to decipher and non-literal. His music tends to consist of fairly simple guitar melodies with minimal other instrumentation, and his lyrical themes are often surreal and naturalistic. His involvement in the Los Angeles artist community is reflected in Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, released in September 2007. He gained some underground notoriety in New York for performing several of his early shows with underwear on his head for the duration of the performance.

Banhart's most recent tour of the United States saw him perform with his full band, which is currently known as Power Mineral. Power Mineral included Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Greg Rogove (Priestbird), Noah Georgeson, Luckey Remington, Pete Newsom, Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Currituck Co., Espers, Nick Castro), Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.), and others. The band claims to rechristen itself when a name comes to them, and has previously been known as Fried Hummingbird, Vagina Burglars, Hairy Fairy Band, Las Putas Locas, Stoner Boner, Spiritual Boner, Bummer Hummer, Brain Taint, Love Fart, Bathhouse Of The Winds, and First Woman Millionaire among other names.

Banhart was discovered by Michael Gira of Swans, who released his Oh Me Oh My... The Way the Day Goes by the Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming… album on his own Young God Records label in 2002. In 2005, Banhart (along with Andy Cabic and Revolver USA) created the Gnomonsong record label. In 2006 he helped to curate an edition of the British All Tomorrow's Parties festival.

Banhart also was one of the younger musicians responsible for "rediscovering" the music of folksinger Vashti Bunyan. Bunyan is a guest vocalist on his album Rejoicing in the Hands.

Autumn's Child
Devendra Banhart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Autumn's child
Raise your head
Autumn's child
You sweet young thing
Stay dead horse
Stand dead horse
Run river run
Sun shine sun

Sing child sing
Sing your song
Sing your song
Autumn's child
Come raise your head
Autumn's child

Sweet young thing
Sweet young thing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Devendra Banhart's song "Autumn's Child" seem to have a theme of rebirth and renewal. The phrase Autumn's Child implies a sense of starting anew, as autumn brings about the end of one season and the beginning of another. The repetition of the phrase "raise your head" emphasizes the idea of looking forward and not dwelling on the past. The imagery of a dead horse could represent letting go of something that is no longer useful, and the command to "run river run" encourages movement and progress.

The phrase "sun shine sun" could be interpreted as a call to embrace positivity and light, and the repeated lines "sing child sing" encourage the listener to freely express themselves and find their own unique voice. The final line, "sweet young thing," could be seen as an endearing term of affection or a reminder of the potential for growth and change.

Overall, "Autumn's Child" is a song about embracing new beginnings, letting go of the past, and finding one's own voice and path.

Line by Line Meaning

Autumn's child
Addressing someone who embodies the characteristics of autumn, such as maturity and change.

Raise your head
Encouraging the autumn's child to look up and face the world with confidence and optimism.

Autumn's child
Repeating the initial line as a reminder of the person's identity and nature.

You sweet young thing
Acknowledging that despite being mature like autumn, the person still possesses the innocence and vibrancy of youth.

Stay dead horse
Advice to let go of things that are no longer useful or beneficial, akin to beating a dead horse.

Stand dead horse
Another reminder to not waste energy on things that are no longer viable, mirroring the previous line.

Run river run
Encouraging the person to keep moving and flowing like a river, which implies progress and adaptability.

Sun shine sun
Suggesting that the world is full of opportunities and positivity, like the sunshine on a bright day.

Sing child sing
Urging the person to express themselves and their inner voice actively and fearlessly.

Sing your song
Repeating the previous line for emphasis, adding that the person's unique voice and experience are valuable.

Sing your song
A final reminder to the person to share their individuality and creativity with the world.

Autumn's child
Closing the song with the same line to emphasize that the person's identity as an autumn's child is integral to the message of the lyrics.

Come raise your head
A concluding message that reiterates the earlier exhortation to face the world confidently and proudly.

Autumn's child
The last repetition of the opening line to end the song with reinforcement of the central theme.

Sweet young thing
A final affectionate address to the person, encapsulating their unique and harmonious blend of maturity and youth.

Contributed by Parker N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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