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
Not Lonely
Eliza Gilkyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I live one day at a time
Keep one eye open
I got a one-track mind
I'm a one trick pony
Living in a one horse town
People say I should be lonely
I'm alone but I'm not lonely
I live in a one-room palace
On top of a hill
On the edge of a wilderness
All my dreams could never fill
And I hang my head over
Hear the rustling of the leaves
Down in the hollow below me
A wild woman breathes
I'm alone but I'm not lonely
I am a one-man woman
Flying solo for the time
But when I sing here for my supper
I know everything's gonna be just fine
Got two hands to guide me
Through one very long dance
Got a true heart inside me
Gonna give me one more chance
To be alone, not lonely
I'm alone, not lonely
Eliza Gilkyson's song "Not Lonely" is a proclamation about being alone without feeling lonely. The lyrics suggest that the singer is self-sufficient, content in her own company and fiercely independent. She declares herself to be a "one-man woman," meaning she doesn't need anyone else to complete her, and that she lives "one day at a time," suggesting that she isn't concerned with the future or the past. The singer also claims to have a "one-track mind," meaning that she is focused and determined.
Despite the fact that the people around her say she should be lonely, the singer is adamant that she is not. She describes living in a "one-room palace" on a hill, which overlooks a vast wilderness, but instead of feeling isolated, she is inspired by the natural world around her. She listens to the sound of the leaves rustling and hears a "wild woman" breathing below her. The singer uses this as a metaphor to appreciate the beauty of solitude and self-discovery.
In the following verse, the singer talks about playing music, one of her passions. She tells us that she "sings for her supper" and that it makes her feel alive. She also acknowledges that life is a "long dance" that she is willing to take on with her two hands, and that she has a true heart that will give her one more chance to be alone, not lonely.
Overall, the song is a celebration of self-sufficiency and independence, suggesting that it is possible to be alone without feeling lonely.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a one-man woman
I am devoted to one person, I don't need anyone else.
I live one day at a time
I don't worry about the past or the future, I focus on the present moment.
Keep one eye open
I am alert and cautious, I don't trust easily.
I got a one-track mind
I have a singular focus, I am determined to achieve my goals.
I'm a one trick pony
I have one particular skill or talent, I specialize in one thing.
Living in a one horse town
I live in a small and isolated place, far away from the big city.
People say I should be lonely
Others assume that I am lonely, but they don't know my true feelings.
But that ain't what's goin down
Contrary to popular belief, I am not lonely.
I'm alone but I'm not lonely
I enjoy my own company, I don't need other people to feel fulfilled.
I live in a one-room palace
My home may be small, but I have made it my own and it feels like a palace to me.
On top of a hill
I live in a high and elevated place, I feel like I am above it all.
On the edge of a wilderness
I live close to nature, in a place that is wild and untamed.
All my dreams could never fill
My desires and aspirations are endless, I always want more.
And I hang my head over
I look down over the edge, I am not afraid of heights.
Hear the rustling of the leaves
I listen to the sounds of nature, it brings me peace and comfort.
Down in the hollow below me
I see a lower and more secluded area, it seems very peaceful.
A wild woman breathes
I imagine a free and untamed woman, I admire her spirit.
Flying solo for the time
I am currently single and independent, I don't need anyone else.
But when I sing here for my supper
I perform my music in exchange for food and shelter, I am self-sufficient.
I know everything's gonna be just fine
I am confident in my abilities, I know I can survive on my own.
Got two hands to guide me
I have myself to rely on, I can take care of myself.
Through one very long dance
Life is like a dance, it can be tiring and difficult, but I am up for the challenge.
Got a true heart inside me
I am honest and authentic, I don't pretend to be someone I am not.
Gonna give me one more chance
I believe in second chances, I am hopeful for the future.
To be alone, not lonely
I choose to be alone, but I am not unhappy or isolated, I am content with my own company.
I'm alone, not lonely
I am independent, I don't need anyone else to make me happy, I am happy on my own.
Contributed by James R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.