She received much critical acclaim for her 2005 release, Paradise Hotel, which contains songs that strike a chord with listeners in light of recent events. "Requiem" honors Hurricane Katrina and tsunami victims with hopeful pleas to the Virgin Mary, while "Man of God" is a bitter, unapologetic denouncement of President George W. Bush and his administration.
"The actions of this regime do not follow the teachings of Christ, what I call real Christianity," Gilkyson said in August 2005. "I just don't appreciate the religious right acting like I don't love God and my country just because I'm not in their corner. I'm mad and I want other people to be mad about this too."
In 2008, her album Beautiful World came out, again on Red House Records. The songs vary from pop to folk and points in-between, with songs ranging from intimate ballads to rallying cries against the imperialist machine. She recently collaborated on a new album entitled Red Horse with two of her Red House Records label-mates John Gorka and Lucy Kaplansky.
In 2011, she came out with Roses at the End of Time. Recorded at her home with the help of her son and co-producer Cisco Ryder, Gilkyson took a longer time in the studio and came out with a more eclectic and personal album. She continues to tour about 150 dates per year in the United States and overseas.
www.elizagilkyson.com
Engineer Bill
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you fill my sail won't you blow my mind
Put me on the path pull my railroad car
Won't you make me laugh 'bout the way things are
Won't you carry me through my soul's dark night
Won't you shine my way with your big headlight
Won't you lift me up when I shiver and shake
Won't you change my luck won't you give me a break
Won't you carry me would you try to save me
Be my sugar daddy be my honey baby
Won't you be my lover be my loyal fan
Be my heavenly mother be my holy man
Won't you pick me up in your one-eyed Ford
Won't you drive me home like a good little lord
Won't you sing me to sleep would you star in my dreams
Won't you dig me deep would you do these things
And give me all your love?
Won't you carry me be my voodoo child
Rock me in your cradle when the ride gets wild
Be my black cat bone be my holy grail
Call me on the phone get me outta this jail
Won't you throw me a thril would you send me a sign
Be my Engineer Bill 'til the end of the line
Be the king of my heart be my virgin queen
You're all that I got would you do these things
And give me all your love?
Eliza Gilkyson's song Engineer Bill is a plea for help and support from someone who is going through a difficult time. The singer of the song is reaching out to their supporter, asking them to be their savior and give them the strength to overcome their struggles. The first verse speaks of the metaphorical path of life as a railroad, with the singer asking their companion to help them pull their car through rough times. The imagery of a big headlight shining the way is a symbol of hope and guidance, while the request to fill their sail and blow their mind is a plea for inspiration and motivation.
The second verse continues with the theme of the singer's dependence on their companion, with a list of whimsical and loving requests. The lines "Be my sugar daddy be my honey baby" and "Be my heavenly mother be my holy man" are examples of the singer asking their companion to take on different roles and personas, as long as they provide comfort and security. The chorus "And give me all your love?" is repeated throughout the song and adds to the message of needing love and support to make it through hard times.
Overall, Engineer Bill is a sweet and heartfelt song about the importance of having people who support you during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you carry me through troublin' times
Can you support me and provide comfort during difficult phases?
Won't you fill my sail won't you blow my mind
Can you motivate me and help me expand my horizons?
Put me on the path pull my railroad car
Can you guide me and help me progress towards success?
Won't you make me laugh 'bout the way things are
Can you make me find joy and laughter in even the toughest situations?
Won't you carry me through my soul's dark night
Can you be my support system when I'm going through an emotional turmoil?
Won't you shine my way with your big headlight
Can you provide me with guidance and clarity in times of confusion?
Won't you lift me up when I shiver and shake
Can you give me strength and support when I'm feeling weak and vulnerable?
Won't you change my luck won't you give me a break
Can you help me improve my fortunes and give me a chance?
And give me all your love?
Can you provide me with unconditional love and support?
Won't you carry me would you try to save me
Can you be my savior and rescue me from a difficult situation?
Be my sugar daddy be my honey baby
Can you provide me with financial support and love me like a baby?
Won't you be my lover be my loyal fan
Can you be my partner and support me in everything I do?
Be my heavenly mother be my holy man
Can you be like a motherly figure and a spiritual guide to me?
Won't you pick me up in your one-eyed Ford
Can you come to my rescue in an old and broken-down car?
Won't you drive me home like a good little lord
Can you safely drive me back home and treat me like a noble figure?
Won't you sing me to sleep would you star in my dreams
Can you sing me a lullaby and be the star of my dreams?
Won't you dig me deep would you do these things
Can you go deep into my heart and do all these things for me?
Be my voodoo child
Can you be my magical and mystical protector?
Rock me in your cradle when the ride gets wild
Can you comfort and calm me when everything around me is chaotic?
Be my black cat bone be my holy grail
Can you be my lucky charm and my ultimate goal?
Call me on the phone get me outta this jail
Can you help me get out of trouble and rescue me from a difficult situation?
Won't you throw me a thrill would you send me a sign
Can you surprise me with something exciting and give me a sign of hope?
Be my Engineer Bill 'til the end of the line
Can you be my guide and support me till the very end?
Be the king of my heart be my virgin queen
Can you rule over my heart and be my pure and beloved partner?
You're all that I got would you do these things
Can you do all these things for me, as you're all that I have?
And give me all your love?
Can you give me your love and care wholeheartedly?
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.