Upon moving to New York in 2001, Bartlett soon began performing with Chocolate Genius and Elysian Fields, and also worked as Salon.com's music critic, writing first a weekly "Wednesday Morning Download", and later the daily "Audiofile" feature.] In recent years, Bartlett has performed and toured extensively with artists like The National, Antony and the Johnsons, Martha Wainwright, Glen Hansard and Bebel Gilberto.
House
Doveman Lyrics
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Can you blame love for that?
Speak to me gently all through the night
Down by the river angels make fools of men
Baptize me gently now and then
Step inside this house
Step inside this house
It's all I can provide
Kind to a stranger
Cruel to the one you love
All this I know now
All this is lost
But down by the river
All that you know is wrong
Hold me so gently
Dusk til dawn
Step inside this house
There's room for all inside
Step inside this house
It's all I can provide
The lyrics to Doveman's song House reflect on themes of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. The opening line, "Taken for granted, can you blame love for that?" suggests that love is often taken for granted and not given the appreciation it deserves. The following line, "Speak to me gently all through the night," requests gentle communication and tenderness when experiencing love.
The second stanza utilizes religious symbolism, with the line "Down by the river angels make fools of men." This could be interpreted as a baptism, symbolizing a cleansing, a rebirth, and a newfound understanding of love. Baptize me gently now and then, alludes to the acceptance of the idea that we may not have it all figured out yet, but with love and compassion, we may find ourselves in a better place.
The chorus, "Step inside this house, there's room for all inside, it's all I can provide," portrays the idea that regardless of the past mistakes or issues, there's always a room for love, for new beginnings and a fresh start. It's all Doveman, the singer can offer, but it's a beautiful concept that could resonate with many.
Line by Line Meaning
Taken for granted
Nothing is appreciated until it is lost
Can you blame love for that?
Love is not at fault for people taking things for granted
Speak to me gently all through the night
Speak softly and kindly to me all night long
Down by the river angels make fools of men
People can easily be deceived when they are in a beautiful, serene environment
Baptize me gently now and then
Cleanse me of my sins, but do it with care
Step inside this house
Come into my world
There's room for all inside
Everyone is welcome here
It's all I can provide
I may not have much, but what I have, I'm willing to share
Kind to a stranger
Being polite to someone you don't know
Cruel to the one you love
Being harsh and unforgiving to someone you care about
All this I know now
I have learned this lesson through experience
All this is lost
But unfortunately, it is too late to go back and fix things
But down by the river
In a peaceful and calm area
All that you know is wrong
The things you believe to be true may not actually be accurate
Hold me so gently
Embrace me with tenderness
Dusk til dawn
All night long
Step inside this house
Come into my world
There's room for all inside
Everyone is welcome here
It's all I can provide
I may not have much, but what I have, I'm willing to share
Contributed by Violet L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.