Debut Album
Her debut album was released on 3 December 2007 in New Zealand, and on 31 March 2008 in Australia. The self-titled pop-classical album was produced by Carl Doy. In its first week in the New Zealand charts [1] the album went to number 8 after going gold in five days.
On the album Marvelly sings songs taken from a range of different genres and includes two original pieces. Her song 'When You Are Sad' was reportedly written after a recent case of child abuse in her hometown shocked the nation.[2]
The recording of Marvelly's follow-up album with UK-based producer Nick Patrick has been completed. The record, 'Home', is available in Europe as merchandise on tour with Paul Potts, and is to be released in Australasia in late 2009 or early 2010.
Live performances
Tours of New Zealand
In 2006, Marvelly was part of the 'A Knight with a Dame' tour with Sir Howard Morrison and Dame Malvina Major[3]. In 2007 she was the guest artist for Tim Beveridge's tour of the North Island. In February 2009, Marvelly toured New Zealand again as the special guest of Amici Forever star Geoff Sewell.
In 2007 Marvelly appeared at a charity gala organized by Michelle Ong during the premiere of The Golden Compass in Hong Kong on December 16, 2007 with an audience of multiple Hollywood stars. Later that month she appeared in Sydney's Carols in the Domain.
In July, 2008, Marvelly sang at the Beijing opening of Air New Zealand's inaugural Auckland-Beijing flight. Later, in August, Marvelly also made an appearance in Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysia New Zealand Business Council.
Awards
In late 2007, Marvelly won the New Zealand Variety Artists Club's Rising Star Award.
Welcome Home
Elizabeth Marvelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under the state of a strange land
You have sacrificed much to be here
There for the grace as I offer my hand
Welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
Out here on the edge
The empire is fading by the day
Maybe we′ll find that new way
Welcome home, see I made a space for you now
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
Keep it coming now - keep it coming now
You'll find most of us here with our hearts wide open
Keep it coming now - keep it coming now
Keep it coming now - keep it coming now
There′s a woman with her hands trembling - haere mai
And she sings with a mountain's memory - haere mai
There's a cloud the full length of these isles
Just playing chase with the sun
And it′s black and it′s white and it's wild
All of the colours are one
So welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome
Welcome home, see I made a space for you now
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
From the bottom of our hearts
The song "Welcome Home" by Elizabeth Marvelly is about welcoming someone who has sacrificed a lot to come to a strange land. The opening lines, "Tonight I am feeling for you, under the state of a strange land," reflect on the singer's empathy towards the person who is new to the land. The singer acknowledges the difficulties the person has had to go through to get there and extends their hand in grace to welcome them. The chorus, "Welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome, welcome home from the bottom of our hearts," reinforces the notion of a warm and loving welcome, from the bottom of their hearts.
The second verse talks about the current state of the world, where the empire is fading away and the world is weary of war, suggesting a need for a new way of living together. The singer invites the person to keep coming, as they will find most people's hearts open wide. The bridge of the song talks about a woman with hands trembling, and how she sings with the memory of the mountains. The final verse paints a beautiful picture of the land, where a cloud plays chase with the sun, and all the colors are one. It once again invites the person to feel welcome and at home.
Overall, "Welcome Home" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that speaks of the welcoming spirit of New Zealand, and how they embrace people from different places with open arms, making them feel at home.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight I am feeling for you
It is tonight and I am feeling for you
Under the state of a strange land
You are presently in a strange land
You have sacrificed much to be here
You have given up a lot to be where you are
There for the grace as I offer my hand
I am here to offer a hand because of grace
Welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome
Welcome home, it is welcoming to see you home
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
We genuinely welcome you home from the deepest part of our hearts
Out here on the edge
We are on the edge of something
The empire is fading by the day
The empire is fading as each day passes
And the world is so weary in war
The world is tired of war
Maybe we'll find that new way
Perhaps we will discover a new path
Welcome home, see I made a space for you now
I have made room for you, so welcome home
Keep it coming now - keep it coming now
Please keep coming
You'll find most of us here with our hearts wide open
We are here with open hearts
There's a woman with her hands trembling - haere mai
There is a woman whose hands are trembling, urging you to come towards her
And she sings with a mountain's memory - haere mai
She sings using the memory of a mountain, urging you to come towards her
There's a cloud the full length of these isles
There is a cloud that spreads throughout the island
Just playing chase with the sun
It is continuously chasing the sun
And it's black and it's white and it's wild
It is black and white, and effortlessly wild
All of the colours are one
All the colors blend into one another
Welcome home, I bid you welcome, I bid you welcome
Welcome home, it is welcoming to see you home
Welcome home, see I made a space for you now
I have made room for you, so welcome home
Welcome home from the bottom of our hearts
We genuinely welcome you home from the deepest part of our hearts
Writer(s): Dobbyn Dave Joseph
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.