As a teenager, Barker was known to sing heavy metal and soul covers at high-school assemblies. She first entered the British music scene via the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2002, where she appeared with Rob Jackson, Boo Hewerdine’s guitarist. The success of this performance led them to form a band called the-low-country, in which Barker was the songwriter and front person. They released two albums (the first being in 2003), played numerous alt-country venues and festivals, and enjoyed several plays on John Peel’s show.
2005 saw the birth of Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo, consisting of Barker and the all-female trio of Anna Jenkins, Jo Silverston and Gill Sandell who collectively provide backing harmony vocals and who respectively play violin, cello and musical saw, and accordion, piano and flute.
The band’s second studio album, Despite The Snow, was recorded in live sessions in a 16th century barn in Norfolk. Self-released in November 2008 on Emily’s own label Everyone Sang, the album again garnered much praise.
February 2011 saw the release of Almanac. Dear River followed in 2013.
* Official site
Strange Weather
Emily Barker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are yet to know
Your father and your mother
Hope that you will show
But these times are troubled
I'll be honest with you now
Our old earth she has a fever
She trembles and she quakes
The day and night through
And no one seems to know
What to do
Regardless we promise
To give you every chance we can
To give the kind of love your father
Always wished he'd had
Weather hot and dry
Weather that'll make you cry
Strange weather coming in from all sides
Whether bird or bee
Whether you or me
We all need each other
I get nostalgic for the future
Of children in the woods
For the peace of wild things
Where our ancestors stood
There is much I wish to tell you
Can I walk you through the past?
To all the beautiful places
We thought would always last
Weather hot and dry
Weather that'll make you cry
Strange weather coming in from all sides
Whether soil or tree
Whether you or me
We all need each other
We are of our generations
We hold the signs of our times
On painted, cardboard placards
That fade in the light
So as you move through this world
After both of us have gone
I hope you'll look back and forgive
Us for what we've done
Weather hot and dry
Weather that'll make you cry
Strange weather coming in from all sides
Whether sky or sea
Whether you or me
We all need each other to survive
The lyrics of Emily Barker's "Strange Weather" discuss the concept of climate change, and the impact that it will have on future generations. The song opens with a greeting of hope and an acknowledgment of the uncertainty of the future, before launching into a discussion of the current environmental crisis. Barker describes the planet as feverish, trembling, and in need of help, with nobody knowing how to address the problem.
However, the lyrics suggest that there is still hope for the future, despite the dire nature of the present. Barker promises to give the new generation every chance possible, despite the difficult conditions. The chorus repeats the idea that despite our differences, we all need each other to survive. The second verse takes a more nostalgic tone, with Barker describing a longing to return to a time when nature was more respected, and humans lived in harmony with it.
The final verse brings the song back to the present day, with Barker acknowledging that her generation has not done enough to protect the environment, and that future generations will have to deal with the consequences. Nevertheless, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the idea that even after Barker and her contemporaries are gone, the new generation will be able to work together and hopefully heal the damage that has been done.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello to an angel
Addressing a baby that has just come into the world
We are yet to know
Still unaware of what the baby's personality and interests will be
Your father and your mother
Referring to the baby's parents
Hope that you will show
Expecting the baby to grow and develop their own unique qualities
But these times are troubled
Acknowledging that the current times have many difficulties
I'll be honest with you now
Being sincere about the situation
Our old earth she has a fever
Referring to climate change and its effects on the planet
Burning on her brow
The planet is suffering and under great stress
She trembles and she quakes
The planet is reacting to the stress and changes
The day and night through
24 hours a day, the planet is struggling
And no one seems to know
There is still no clear solution to solve the crisis
What to do
People are not sure how to handle the situation
Regardless we promise
Despite the challenges, we vow to help the baby grow and thrive
To give you every chance we can
Ensuring that the baby has a bright future
To give the kind of love your father
Providing a love and care that the parents never experienced
Always wished he'd had
The baby will not lack the love that the parents may have missed
Weather hot and dry
Describing the changing weather patterns
Weather that'll make you cry
Extremes of weather causing pain and grief
Strange weather coming in from all sides
Unpredictable weather phenomena from different parts of the world
Whether bird or bee
Referring to creatures that inhabit the planet
Whether you or me
Highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings on the planet
We all need each other
Emphasizing that all living things are dependent on each other for survival
I get nostalgic for the future
Feeling sentimental towards the unborn baby's future
Of children in the woods
Reflecting on the past, when children had the freedom to enjoy nature
For the peace of wild things
Revering the natural world and the harmony that exists within it
Where our ancestors stood
Remembering the places where our forefathers may have lived in nature
There is much I wish to tell you
The world has much to teach the newborn baby
Can I walk you through the past?
Guiding the baby to understand their heritage and history
To all the beautiful places
Showing the baby the stunning locations in nature
We thought would always last
Reflecting on how vulnerable nature is to human influence
We are of our generations
Considering how each person is shaped by the experiences of their own time
We hold the signs of our times
The way people live is reflective of the norms and beliefs of their time
On painted, cardboard placards
Referring to pop culture, materialism, and consumerism
That fade in the light
The babbling voice of the society losing relevance over time
So as you move through this world
Offering advice to the baby as they begin their life journey
After both of us have gone
Assuming that the writer will not be present when the baby becomes an adult
I hope you'll look back and forgive
The writer anticipates that they may have made mistakes that the baby will have to forgive
Us for what we've done
Asking for forgiveness for the environmental degradation and exploitation of nature for materialist purposes
Whether sky or sea
Depicting how the climate crisis affects land, water, and air in unpredictable ways
Whether you or me
People from various cultures, races and ethnicities of the planet are equally affected by the crisis
We all need each other to survive
Insisting upon the fact that humanity is interconnected and united despite individualism
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: EMILY BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan McDaniel
Every once in a while, I have the experience of waking up in the middle of the night and hearing a song on the radio that's so beautiful and uncanny that I race to look it up before it slips away from my memory.
Glad I found it this time.
Emily Barker
Hello Nathan and thank you for waking yourself up to find my song and me! Best wishes, Emily
Eloha
This song touches my heart with it's beauty and wisdom. ❤ It should be massive!
Thank you Emily. Your music is new to me. It was wonderful to hear you sing tonight on the Green Note virtual concert.
Emily Barker
Thank you Eloha xo
Miguel adolfo Martinez suarez
I LOVE THIS SONG , SPLENDID
Emily Barker
Thank you Miguel!
Arthur de Vries
Wow 🙏
Jeff allbon
Excellent
Emily Barker
Thank you Jeff!
John sweda
You put it on records use the Dutch company mov they're the best