After signing a contract with the Atlantic Records label Lava Records in 1994, his first major-label album, Honor Among Thieves, was issued in 1995. His second album, Misguided Roses, spawned I'll Be, a major single in 1998. Two more albums (Messenger and Far from Over) followed, but at the end of 2001, he split from Lava. In 2003 he released a collection of acoustic versions of songs both old and new called The Austin Sessions via ATC Records, a Nashville-based independent record label (at which McCain was the first artist signed following its creation in 2001). Mid-2004 saw the arrival of his first studio album in three years, entitled Scream & Whisper, which was released on another indie label, DRT Entertainment.
He has released two DVDs to date. The first was through ATC records in late 2002, called Mile Marker: Songs and Stories from the Acoustic Highway, and it consisted of interviews, live performances, and other material. The other was in late 2004, Tinsel & Tap Shoes. It was his first live concert DVD, recorded at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
A new CD was released in April, 2006 titled, Lost in America. Edwin recently signed a contract with Vanguard Records. This album (#8) is said to be a true "rock 'n roll" collection.
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Guinevere
Edwin McCain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the royal crown is off your head
To your chambers I will creep not a word we will speak
Just love me while the fire light dances 'round the bed
Well there is danger in this passion
Because the king can never never know
And on my blood I've sworn my allegiance
So I'll leave you when the sunlight comes and beckons me to go
And in battle I am paralyzed with fear|
And this poison in my soul is the love we'll never know
And it finds me playing Lancelot to your Guinevere
Well and Guinevere is sly enough to steal a little taste
And her laughter it peals into the night
Oh but forbidden fruit always stays sticky on your face
And without virtue I'm worthless in a fight
Stealing little glances at the table I feel that this is theater in the round
But far away chasing vixens in the meadow
Your love like wind, blows right by and sweeps me off the ground
Your love sweeps me off the ground
Well now it sweeps me off the the ground
And the silver shine is tarnished from my armor
And in battle I am paralyzed with fear
And this poison in my soul is the love we'll never know
And it finds me playing Lancelot to your Guinevere
The song "Guinevere" by Edwin McCain is a ballad about a forbidden love between Lancelot and Guinevere, two characters from the Arthurian legend. The first verse sets the scene after the king has gone to bed and the palace is quiet. Lancelot sneaks into Guinevere's chambers, knowing that their love is dangerous and can never be spoken of. He is willing to risk his life to be with her, if only for a few moments. However, he knows that his duty to the king comes first, and he must leave before the sun comes up.
The second verse describes Lancelot's inner struggle between his love for Guinevere and his loyalty to the king. He sees himself as tarnished and paralyzed, unable to fulfill his duty as a knight. He also knows that their love is a poison that will consume him, but still he cannot resist it. Guinevere, on the other hand, is portrayed as a temptress who can steal a little taste of forbidden fruit without consequence. Lancelot longs for her love, but he knows that without virtue he is worthless in battle.
The chorus repeats the themes of tarnished armor, fear, and poisoned love. Lancelot feels helpless in the face of his passion for Guinevere, which sweeps him off the ground like a gust of wind. Overall, the lyrics describe a love that is both exhilarating and dangerous, a love that is doomed to fail in the face of duty and honor.
Line by Line Meaning
After all the corridors are darkened
When the night has fallen and the halls are empty
When the royal crown is off your head
After the king has gone to bed
To your chambers I will creep not a word we will speak
I'll come to your room silently, we'll say nothing to each other
Just love me while the fire light dances 'round the bed
Let's make love while the firelight illuminates our room
Well there is danger in this passion
Our love is forbidden and dangerous
Because the king can never never know
If the king finds out, we'll both be in trouble
And on my blood I've sworn my allegiance
I've pledged loyalty to the king with my own blood
So I'll leave you when the sunlight comes and beckons me to go
I'll have to leave before the sunrise
And the silver shine is tarnished from my armor
My armor has been damaged and it's no longer shiny
And in battle I am paralyzed with fear|
I'm too scared to fight in battles
And this poison in my soul is the love we'll never know
My love for you is a poison that we cannot indulge in or express freely
And it finds me playing Lancelot to your Guinevere
Our love is reminiscent of the story of Lancelot and Guinevere
Well and Guinevere is sly enough to steal a little taste
You are cunning enough to steal moments with me
And her laughter it peals into the night
Your laughter echoes through the silent night
Oh but forbidden fruit always stays sticky on your face
Our forbidden love will have consequences
And without virtue I'm worthless in a fight
If I let go of my virtue, I'll be a weak fighter
Stealing little glances at the table I feel that this is theater in the round
When we're at the table together, it feels like a staged performance
But far away chasing vixens in the meadow
When I'm not with you, I'm chasing other women
Your love like wind, blows right by and sweeps me off the ground
Your love is powerful and it catches me off guard
Your love sweeps me off the ground
Your love is overwhelming and it takes me away
Well now it sweeps me off the the ground
It continues to transport me away from reality
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWIN COLE MC CAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind