Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
Chambermaid
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't hide
Take off the mask now
Underneath is a deep dark secret
Take me for a ride
Upon your white horse
Take your love
'Cause I don't want to keep it
I am out of place
And honey you are out of Time
I'd tell your fortune
But the words don't rhyme
[Chorus]
I'm not your chambermaid
You're not my lord
All the fine games we played
Have left me bored
I never want to see you come around my castle
'Cause I just can't afford to love you
I'm not your chambermaid
You're not my lord
Tell me what I have to do to make you
Understand it's a lost cause lover
Tell me while you're at it how it feels to
Hold me close when you've been thinking of her
I don't want to hear you say you love me
You've been gone such a long time
Won't you turn around
Before I have to see this
Face I once adored
Don't you see
I am out of place
And honey you are out of Time
I'd tell your fortune
But the words don't rhyme
[Chorus]
You have no hold over me
What's in your cards now let me see
I hope you've got what you wanted
There's just one thing I know will never be
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Emilie Autumn's song "Chambermaid" seem to speak about a narrator who does not want to be tied down to a person who is not interested in a genuine relationship. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer wants their potential partner to reveal their true self, hinting that they may have been hiding behind a facade. However, the singer acknowledges that this true self may contain dark secrets. Despite this, they are willing to take a chance on this person and embark on a "ride" with them. The following lines suggest that the singer does not want to be attached to this person long-term and desires to "take your love / 'Cause I don't want to keep it."
The chorus of the song is where the singer directly addresses their potential partner, stating that they are not interested in playing any more "fine games," and that they do not want this person to come back around because they cannot afford to love them. The second verse of the song continues to emphasize that the singer does not want a disingenuous relationship, and they want their potential partner to understand that it is a "lost cause." They also do not want to hear any declarations of love when their partner has been thinking of someone else.
Overall, the song is about the singer's desire for a genuine connection in their relationship, which they can't have with the person they address in the song. The singer is willing to take a chance on this person, but they are not willing to play any more games or be tied down to someone who is not interested in a genuine relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Show your face
Reveal your true self
Don't hide
Stop concealing who you are
Take off the mask now
Remove the façade and show your true nature
Underneath is a deep dark secret
There is something hidden underneath your surface
Take me for a ride
Let me experience something new with you
Upon your white horse
In a grand and romantic gesture
Take your love
Take all of your love with you when you go
'Cause I don't want to keep it
I do not want to hold onto your love
I am out of place
I do not fit in
And honey you are out of Time
You do not belong in this era
I'd tell your fortune
I can see your future
But the words don't rhyme
But I can't express it in a poetic manner
[Chorus]
Refrain from treating me like a servant because you are not my superior
I'm not your chambermaid
I will not play a subservient role to you
You're not my lord
You have no authority over me
All the fine games we played
All the fun is gone
Have left me bored
It's no longer entertaining
I never want to see you come around my castle
Stay away from me
'Cause I just can't afford to love you
I cannot bear the cost of loving you
Tell me what I have to do to make you
What do I have to do to help you see
Understand it's a lost cause lover
That this love affair isn't going to work out
Tell me while you're at it how it feels to
Also, can you explain how it feels to
Hold me close when you've been thinking of her
Hold me tightly when you've been thinking of someone else
I don't want to hear you say you love me
I do not want empty declarations of love from you
You've been gone such a long time
You've been away for a substantial period
Won't you turn around
Can you not come back to me
Before I have to see this
So I don't have to witness
Face I once adored
The face I once cherished
Don't you see
Can't you understand
You have no hold over me
You do not control me
What's in your cards now let me see
Show me what you have planned
I hope you've got what you wanted
I want you to have achieved your goals
There's just one thing I know will never be
But I know we can never be together
[Chorus]
Refrain from treating me like a servant because you are not my superior
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILIE AUTUMN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind