Ed Roland is the lead singer of Collective Soul. He also writes the music … Read Full Bio ↴Ed Roland is the lead singer of Collective Soul. He also writes the music and plays guitar and keyboards. He released a solo album in 1991 called "Ed-E Roland" and recently contributed three solo songs to the reissue of Collective Soul's 2007 album "Afterwords." His brother Dean Roland is Collective Soul's rhythm guitarist.

Ed Roland was born August 3, 1963 and is based out of Stockbridge, Georgia. In 2004, he founded the EL Music Group record label.

Shelter
Ed Roland Lyrics

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'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word

In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved.
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail,
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail,
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed.
Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love.
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation an' they gave me a lethal dose.
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine.
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born.

"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Overall Meaning

The song "Shelter From The Storm" by Ed Roland Sweet Tea is an enigmatic masterpiece filled with cryptic and poetic lyrics that depict a sense of redemption, guidance, and hope amidst chaos and uncertainty. The singer speaks of his past life that was filled with hardship, uncertainty, and danger. Yet, he found salvation at the doorstep of a woman who offered him shelter from the storm. The woman in the song symbolizes a sense of hope, sanctuary, and respite from the external elements, i.e., the storm, that represent the difficulties faced by the singer.

Throughout the song, the singer speaks of battles fought, losses endured, and the longing for what could have been. The lyrics speak of a deep sense of regret and loss, yet they also offer the idea that hope transcends all. The journey that the singer goes through speaks of a desperate need for shelter and the feeling of being lost in the midst of chaos. The song conveys the idea that despite the overwhelming challenges faced by the singer, there is still the possibility of finding solace and redemption.

In conclusion, "Shelter From The Storm" is a cryptic yet evocative song that speaks of a search for sanctuary amidst the chaos of life. It speaks of the struggles that the singer faced, their search for redemption, and the glimmer of hope that is ever present, symbolized by the woman who offered him shelter. Ed Roland Sweet Tea's soulful voice and poetic lyrics make this song an emotional rollercoaster that is simultaneously sad and hopeful.

Line by Line Meaning

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
The singer reminisces about a past filled with hard work and struggle

When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
Referring to a time when the world was a darker place, and life was far from easy

I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form.
The singer entered into society as someone who was lost and undefined

"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm."
The kindness of a person offering the singer a place of refuge during tumultuous times

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
The singer expresses gratitude and acknowledges the person who provided him with shelter

In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm.
The world is often harsh and unforgiving, with people struggling for survival

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
The relationship between the singer and the person who gave him shelter was one of mutual respect and trust

Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm.
The artist invites the listener to imagine a utopian world where safety and comfort are guaranteed

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail, Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail, Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn.
The singer describes the difficult and overwhelming experiences he has faced in life

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair.
The arrival of the person who provided the singer with shelter is described in a dreamlike, mystical way

She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns.
The person who provided shelter to the singer is described as someone who took away his pain and suffering

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed.
The relationship between the singer and the person who gave him shelter has changed, with a feeling of distance and misunderstandings

Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn.
The singer reflects on how his relationship with the person who provided him with shelter started

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn.
The singer highlights the insignificance of social status and the inevitability of death

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove And old men with broken teeth stranded without love.
The singer has witnessed the raw suffering and pain of human existence

Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn? "Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm."
The person who provided shelter to the singer is still offering comfort during difficult times

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes I bargained for salvation an' they gave me a lethal dose.
The singer describes a time when he was betrayed and faced dire consequences

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine.
The singer is adapting to a new environment and working hard to achieve his goals

If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born. "Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm."
The singer is wistful about times past and grateful for the person who offered him shelter and relief from life's hardships

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CRAIG DAVID ADAMS, MICK BROWN, SIMON THOMAS HINKLER, WAYNE HUSSEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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