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
He Waits For Me
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby gives his heart with no regret
And from this height where he'll risk the fall
For a glimpse of what might be
He waits for me
I can trace my memory through the dust
The ruins of my wanderlust
But those are lost who try to cross through
The sorrow fields too easily
He waits for me
I have seen love's wings of grace
Cross his fallen-angel face
Baby walks a wire so perilous
Offers up his hope like a prayer for us
To finally feel love's worldly weight
Lean up against my garden gate
He waits for me
The song He Waits For Me by Eliza Gilkyson is a poetic tribute to a lover who waits patiently for her. The first verse uses the metaphor of a wirewalker to describe her lover's risk-taking nature. The image of the wirewalker conjures up the image of someone who is undeniably brave to take unimaginable risks without any safety net. And yet, this lover gives his heart unreservedly, without regret. Despite the dangers, he waits for a glimpse of what might be. This line suggests that he is not just taking risks for the sake of it, but he is taking risks for her, and the possibility of their love being realized.
In the second verse, Gilkyson describes her own wanderlust as ruins that she can trace her memory through. Wanderlust typically connotes a thirst for adventure and travel, but in the context of the song, it implies a spiritual restlessness. The metaphor of sorrow fields suggests that the path to true love is often fraught with difficulties and pain. Gilkyson suggests that those who try to cross these fields too easily are lost. But her lover waits for her. He is patient, understanding, and unyielding in his devotion.
The chorus of the song reveals the intensity of the lover's love. Gilkyson has seen love's wings of grace cross his "fallen-angel face." This line suggests that he is a flawed being, but his flaws only make his love more potent. He offers up his hope like a prayer, and his ultimate wish is to feel the weight of the world, leaning up against Gilkyson's garden gate. The final line, "He waits for me," is sung with a mournful refrain, emphasizing the depth of his love and the hope that it will be reciprocated.
Overall, the song is a gentle yet powerful celebration of love, patience, and faith. It speaks to the idea that true love is worth waiting for and the importance of being brave enough to take risks for the sake of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby walks on a tightrope without a safety net
The person being referred to is taking risks in their life without any backup plan.
Baby gives away his heart wholeheartedly
The person referred to is willing to open their heart to others without any hesitation.
Taking that risk, he seeks a glimpse of what could be
Despite the possible negative outcome, the person still wants to explore the possibility of a positive outcome.
This quest of his is where he stands, always waiting for me
The person still hopes for a happy ending with the one they desire, and thus is always waiting for them.
I can see my history through the dust
The artist here is referring to their experiences and past, which can be seen through the wear and tear of time.
In the ruins of my searches’ wanderlust
The singer has been searching for something far and wide in life and their quest has led to ruin and disappointment.
But those who tread through these fields of sorrow so easily are lost
The singer acknowledges that those who avoid confronting sorrow will eventually lose their way in life.
And so he waits for me
Despite setbacks, the person mentioned earlier continues to wait for the artist.
I have witnessed the gentleness of love's angelic grace
The artist has seen love's softer side and what it can do positively.
And also his face, that of a fallen angel
The person referred to might have been hurt before, and their face reflects the pain they have experienced.
Baby still walks the tightrope of life's dangers, no less
The person the song is about continues to live with risk, even after heartbreak, they are still walking on the edge.
But remains optimistic, praying for a good outcome for us
Wishing the best for the artist as well, despite the danger and heartbreak, the person still prays for a positive outcome for both parties.
To have the joy of love's emotional weight
The person still has a deep desire to feel the positive and negative effects of love.
leaning against my garden gate
The person hopes for a future where they can relax and be at home with the one they love.
And this is where he's waiting for me.
They are waiting for the time when the singer and the person they are waiting for can be together with love in mutual agreement and comfort.
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Eliza Gilkyson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind