Elijah's most recent album, Why We Never Go Swimming and Other Short Stories was released in March of 2006 . It is a collection of sad and sorrowful stories set atop a musical backdrop as varied as New England’s climate, with lush arrangements of horns and choir rising from bleak and simply strummed melodies. His narratives meander along, telling of ghosts, and curses, and suicide, and murder, and infidelity. Many songs pick up where another has left off, finishing the story.
Lyrically, Elijah is potent but never sappy, drawing influences from southern gothic writers like Flannery O Conner and Eudora Welty. They can be at once dark and optimistic. Pop Matters, Performer Magazine, and the BBC.co.uk have praised Wyman as, "Witty," and, "Literate."
Elijah is currently finishing a degree in writing. He is married to a lovely young artist named Rhonda. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Metalsmithing. Together they own an on-line gallery called Share an Umbrella which donates 10% of proceeds to charity. They have a tailess kitten named, "Puppy"and live in a quaint apartment in Cambridge, MA where they create art, and music, and write as much as possible.
Captain
Elijah Wyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That block out the sun,
A thousand ways to break my heart,
But I'm stuck on one.
Shotgun my pleas to heaven,
Deep down I know you're there,
But tonight my heart is heavy.
This is mine; I claim this.
Your promises sustain me.
Like captain bound to ship,
I'd rather sink than swim.
There are fifteen steps from here to my bed.
I'm so tired my vision is blurring.
Your voice rings clear in my head.
Tonight sleep will elude me.
Shotgun my pleas to heaven,
Deep down I know you're there,
But tonight my heart is heavy.
I really need you here.
These idols,
Not of gold,
But of flesh and blood.
These idols,
Oh I know,
They'll break my heart.
I'd rather sink then swim
The song "Captain" by Elijah Wyman appears to be a deeply emotional and introspective narrative about the singer's personal relationship with someone they care deeply about. The opening lyrics act as a metaphor for the distance that exists between them, both physically and emotionally. The "layer of clouds" that "block out the sun" represent the barriers that are preventing their connection from truly flourishing. Despite there being "a thousand ways to break my heart," the singer is fixated on one issue, implying that the relationship is fraught with difficulty or insecurity, and that they need their loved one's support in order to move past it.
The repeated refrain, "Shotgun my pleas to heaven, / Deep down I know you're there / But tonight my heart is heavy / I really need you here," highlights the singer's desperation for their loved one's presence and support. They recognize that their feelings are not logical or rational, but they are still overwhelmed by their emotions to the point where they are struggling to sleep. The metaphor of the "captain bound to ship" further underscores this sense of being trapped or stuck in a difficult situation, comparing the singer's emotional turmoil to the weight of responsibility felt by the captain of a ship - in this case, the captain is willing to go down with the ship, rather than abandon their cause.
Overall, "Captain" is a poignant and intimate depiction of a difficult relationship, full of yearning and uncertainty but also a strong determination to persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a layer of clouds between me and you,
I feel disconnected or distant from you.
That block out the sun,
Something is preventing clarity or brightness in this situation.
A thousand ways to break my heart,
There are many possible sources of pain or hurt in life.
But I'm stuck on one.
There is one particular pain or heartbreak that is consuming my thoughts and emotions.
Shotgun my pleas to heaven,
I am desperately calling out to a higher power.
Deep down I know you're there,
Despite feeling distant, I have faith or belief in your existence and presence.
But tonight my heart is heavy.
I am feeling a deep sense of sadness or burden.
I really need you here.
I am longing for your physical or emotional presence.
This is mine; I claim this.
I am taking ownership or responsibility for something important.
Your promises sustain me.
I am relying on your assurances or commitments to get through this.
Like captain bound to ship,
I feel a sense of responsibility or loyalty that I cannot escape.
I'd rather sink than swim.
I am so committed or dedicated to something that I would rather suffer than give up or change course.
There are fifteen steps from here to my bed.
I am providing a precise detail about my surroundings or situation.
I'm so tired my vision is blurring.
I am physically and/or mentally exhausted.
Your voice rings clear in my head.
I am remembering or hearing your words strongly in my thoughts.
Tonight sleep will elude me.
I am unable to find rest or peace.
These idols,
I am referring to objects, people, or ideas that I hold in high esteem.
Not of gold,
I am not worshiping material wealth or possessions.
But of flesh and blood.
I am valuing human relationships, connections, or experiences.
These idols,
I am repeating my acknowledgement of what I hold dear.
Oh I know,
I am acknowledging a difficult truth or realization.
They'll break my heart.
Despite their importance, these things have the potential to cause hurt or pain.
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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