After two EPs ("The Chambers and the Valves" and "Bible Belt"), the band were signed to Transgressive Records in 2010. "No Rest", their first single on the label, was released in March 2011. They recorded their debut full-length album, "Shallow Bed", in Connecticut with Peter Katis (producer for The National, Jónsi and Interpol), and released it on March 5, 2012. An acoustic version of "Shallow Bed" was released by download only on 17 December 2012.
The band's projects also include creating a charity t-shirt for the Yellow Bird Project to raise money for Asylum Aid (in March 2011) and designing "Mammoth", a limited edition beer brewed with Signature Brew (in November 2012).
Their second album, "Alarms in the Heart", was released on August 25th, 2014.
They announced their split on their Facebook page on 12 November 2015, along with the release of their final EP, Hooves of Doubt.
Peter Liddle crafted a solo album 'Casual Labour' released 13 July 2018, with a gang of his musical friends, including several from the Dry the River family bassist Scott Miller, keys player Patrick Pearson, string-player Will Harvey, writer Matthew Reynolds along with producer Pete Miles.
Bible Belt
Dry the River Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This might be the coldest winter since records began
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
Leading the children softly across the farm
Each morning you'd march your sisters like soldiers to school
Cause lo and behold! Your father had drunk all the fuel
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail
You say "My love, you take the cards that you're dealt
Cause there's no guiding light arching a line to Bethlehem
If it's dark outside you light the fire yourself"
Darling when the ice caps melt
When the devil's in the bible belt
Don't cower in your bed
I'll be on the 5:45
You can meet me at the railway line
And don't look so scared
Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk
The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more
The song "Bible Belt" by Dry the River tells the story of a young child who had to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age due to their parents' issues with alcoholism. The lyrics describe how the child had to lead their siblings to school because their father had drunk all the fuel, and how their mother had started drinking again. Despite all of this, the child remained calm and composed, almost like a steady moon shining over their farm. The lyrics also touch on the idea that sometimes in life, we have to take the cards we're dealt and make the best of them. The child in the song said to their loved one that if it's dark outside, you light the fire yourself.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it suggests that despite all the hardships the child faced in their upbringing, they still have hope for the future. The singer promises their loved one that they will be there for them when the going gets tough, and reminds them that they have been through worse before.
Overall, "Bible Belt" is a poignant and introspective song that highlights the difficulties that some people face in life. It also offers a message of hope and resilience, suggesting that even when things seem bleak, we can still find the strength to carry on.
Line by Line Meaning
Lo and behold! Your mother is drinking again
Your mother has started drinking again and it's surprising, almost like a realization.
This might be the coldest winter since records began
The winter is very cold and it’s possibly the coldest anyone has ever seen.
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
You were calm and serene, with a sense of cold stillness, symbolized by the image of a winter moon.
Leading the children softly across the farm
You're walking softly across the farm, leading the children gently, possibly trying not to wake anyone else up.
Each morning you'd march your sisters like soldiers to school
Every morning, you'd take your sisters to school as if you're leading soldiers on a parade.
Cause lo and behold! Your father had drunk all the fuel
Surprisingly, your father drank all the fuel causing a problem for everyone in the household.
Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark
At some point, you lost your enthusiasm and energy, maybe due to the difficult situations you faced.
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail
You strongly believe that the water pail is not heavy, despite how it might seem.
You say 'My love, you take the cards that you're dealt
You're telling your significant other to accept the situation as it is, even if it's not ideal.
Cause there's no guiding light arching a line to Bethlehem
There's no simple or straightforward solution to your situation, as if there were no guiding star leading to a clear destination.
If it's dark outside you light the fire yourself'
If there is no solution in sight and everything seems bleak, you have to take matters into your own hands and create your own solution.
Darling when the ice caps melt
Addressing your significant other, you're referring to a possible future catastrophic event.
When the devil's in the bible belt
Referring to a hypothetical situation where evil forces infiltrate religious areas.
Don't cower in your bed
Don't be afraid and hide under the covers in bed, face the situation head on.
I'll be on the 5:45
You'll be arriving on a specific train at a specific time.
You can meet me at the railway line
You're asking your significant other to meet you on the railway line.
And don't look so scared
You're reassuring your significant other and asking them not to appear so scared.
'Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk
You've been through tough situations before, even before you were able to talk, so you're resilient.
The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more
The key to success is to not be afraid anymore and face every situation bravely.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON WARREN, JONATHAN WARREN, MATTHEW TAYLOR, PETER LIDDLE, PETER DUNCAN LIDDLE, SCOTT MILLER, WILLIAM HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alysha
LYRICS:
Lo and behold! Your mother is drinking again
This might be the coldest winter since records began
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
Leading the children softly across the farm
Each morning you'd march your sisters like soldiers to school
Cause lo and behold! Your father had drunk all the fuel
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail
You say "My love, you take the cards that you're dealt
Cause there's no guiding light arching a line to Bethlehem
If it's dark outside you light the fire yourself"
Darling when the ice caps melt
When the devil's in the bible belt
Don't cower in your bed
I'll be on the 5:45
You can meet me at the railway line
And don't look so scared
Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk
The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more
Rhombi Periwinkle
Lyrics:
Lo and behold! Your mother is drinking again.
This might be the coldest winter since records began.
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm.
Leading the children softly across the farm.
Each morning you'd march your sisters like soldiers to school.
Cause lo and behold! Your father had drunk all the fuel.
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm.
Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark.
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail.
You say "My love, you take the cards that you're dealt.
Cause there's no guiding light arching a line to Bethlehem.
If it's dark outside you light the fire yourself."
Darling when the ice caps melt,
When the devil's in the bible belt,
Don't cower in your bed.
I'll be on the 5:45,
You can meet me at the railway line,
And don't look so scared.
Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk.
The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more.
Tyler Campbell
'Lo and behold your mother is drinking again
This might be the coldest winter since records began
You were alone and steady with wintry calm
Leading the children softly across the fold
In the morning you march your sisters like soldiers to school
'Cause lo and behold your father has drunk quite a few
You were alone and steady with wintry calm
Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail
There's no guiding light arcing a line to Bethlehem
And you say 'my love, you take the cards that you're dealt'
And when it's dark outside, you light the fire yourself
Darling when the ice caps melt
When the devils in the bible belt
Don't you cower in your bed
I'll be at the five-four-five
You can meet me at the railway line
Don't look so staid
'Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk
And the trick of it is, don't be afraid anymore
Oh, the trick of it is, don't be afraid anymore
sierraandthestorm
after all these years i still come back to listen to this. so peaceful yet full of so many different emotions. absolute love.
Ben Richards
I come back to this song when things are confusing or tough. As said, so many different emotions. Each time I have come back to listen over the years I reflect back to the other points in my life when I would play this song. It really is a lovely rendition of this song.
Zach Laney-Clark
Same! I’ve been enjoying this video for probably a decade now!! Amazingly beautiful
léa Picot
Sameeeee
Ryan Jacob
They're not exactly in my top bands, but gaddamn Shallow Bed is really up there in my favorite albums. This song still slaps until now
Ellie Reid
I totally know what you mean. It's one of my all-time favorite songs
Hayley Anderson
Anyone still come back to this song?
I must be at least a thousand plays by myself.
This’ll have a place in my heart forever.
Kelsey Lynn
11 years ago?? This is still one of my favorite songs. Have all their albums. Love them so much <3
noah marshall
Where has the time gone
Alysha
LYRICS:
Lo and behold! Your mother is drinking again
This might be the coldest winter since records began
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
Leading the children softly across the farm
Each morning you'd march your sisters like soldiers to school
Cause lo and behold! Your father had drunk all the fuel
You were a low moon, steady with wintry calm
Somewhere inside the fire of your youth went dark
But you swear blind there is no weight in the water pail
You say "My love, you take the cards that you're dealt
Cause there's no guiding light arching a line to Bethlehem
If it's dark outside you light the fire yourself"
Darling when the ice caps melt
When the devil's in the bible belt
Don't cower in your bed
I'll be on the 5:45
You can meet me at the railway line
And don't look so scared
Cause we've been through worse than this before we could talk
The trick of it is, don't be afraid any more