Rundle's solo debut recording, Electric Guitar: One is a collection of guitar-based ambient pieces improvised and recorded over the course of 6 weeks while on tour with Red Sparowes in Europe in late 2010.
Rundle's official debut solo studio album, Some Heavy Ocean, was released on May 20, 2014 by Sargent House. It was followed by Marked For Death in 2016.
In February 2017, a split EP with Jaye Jayle, titled The Time Between Us, was released.
Rundle's third studio album, On Dark Horses, was released in September 2018. It featured contributions by Jay Jayle members Evan Patterson (also of Young Widows) and Todd Cook as well as Dylan Nadon of Wovenhand. Also in 2018, Rundle provided backing vocals for "Just Breathe", a song on American rock band Thrice's 2018 album Palms.
In August 2019, Roadburn Festival announced that Rundle was one of two curators for the 2020 edition, prior to its cancellation due to the 2020 COVID-19 crisis.
Darkhorse
Emma Ruth Rundle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a breath and make it last, the darkwater horizon
Smile like you mean it and just
Cast the light of hell right out of here
No one else can see it's the shape
That makes you fall on fallow ground
So no more laying down, and no more dragging out
In the wake of strange beginnings, we can still stand high
Sing a song, a verse unhinged, passed down from our mother
Take breath and make it count and learn to sing another
Try 'cause we need to and laugh the life of hell right out of here
No one else can see him,
The shape that makes you fall on fallow ground
So lay your burden down in the springtime that surrounds you
It's the darkhorse we give legs to, no one else can ride
In the wake of strange beginnings, we can still stand high
It′s you and I, you and I lie
It′s the darkhorse we give legs to, that I am proud to ride
In the wake of weak beginnings, we can still stand high
It's you and I, you and I still try
The lyrics to Emma Ruth Rundle's song Darkhorse are poetic and full of symbolism. The singer seems to be addressing a younger sister and encouraging her to run fast, away from someone who is chasing her. The darkwater horizon, which is mentioned in the first verse, could represent the ominous future that awaits if the sister is caught. The singer urges the sister to keep running, to smile, and to cast the light of hell out of there. However, the phrase "smile like you mean it" is ambiguous – is the singer telling the sister to put on a brave face and keep running, or is she telling her to genuinely find joy and beauty in the present moment?
The second verse is somewhat more hopeful. The singer says that singing an "unhinged" song can be a way to release negative energy and connect with one's ancestors. She urges the sister to "lay [her] burden down in the springtime that surrounds [her]." This could mean that the sister needs to find a quiet, peaceful place to rest and regroup. The chorus repeats the phrase "the darkhorse we give legs to" several times. This phrase seems to represent a hidden strength or power within oneself that can be harnessed and used to overcome difficult situations. The sister and the singer are proud to ride this darkhorse, and they can still "stand high" even in the wake of weak or strange beginnings.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and resilience. The singer is urging the sister (and perhaps the listener) to keep running, keep trying, and to find strength and inspiration from within. The darkhorse may be a metaphor for the challenges that life presents, but it can also be a source of power and freedom if we learn how to ride it.
Line by Line Meaning
Run little sister, run so fast, I see he′s gaining on you
Hurry up and move away as fast as possible, as I can see danger approaching you
Take a breath and make it last, the darkwater horizon
Relax and take a deep breath before facing the hardships that lie ahead
Smile like you mean it and just
Pretend to be happy and strong despite what's really going on
Cast the light of hell right out of here
Get rid of negative energy and bring positivity into the situation
No one else can see it's the shape
Only you can recognize the pattern that causes you to struggle
That makes you fall on fallow ground
That leads you to a state of stagnation
So no more laying down, and no more dragging out
It's time to get up and face the challenges, instead of prolonging them
Sing a song, a verse unhinged, passed down from our mother
Express your emotions and thoughts through music, which has been a tradition in your family
Take breath and make it count and learn to sing another
Focus on your breath while singing and keep practicing to improve your skills
Try 'cause we need to and laugh the life of hell right out of here
Make an effort to try and be optimistic, and the positive energy you bring will overpower the negativity
No one else can see him,
No one else can see the struggle that you are going through
The shape that makes you fall on fallow ground
The pattern of behavior that leads to stagnation and inaction
So lay your burden down in the springtime that surrounds you
Let go of your worries and troubles in the season of renewal
It's the darkhorse we give legs to, no one else can ride
We are the only ones who can overcome our difficulties and emerge victorious
In the wake of strange beginnings, we can still stand high
In the face of adversity, we can still rise above it
It′s you and I, you and I lie
We are together in this struggle, even if we have to lie to ourselves and others to get through it
It′s the darkhorse we give legs to, that I am proud to ride
We take pride in facing our challenges head-on and overcoming them
In the wake of weak beginnings, we can still stand high
Despite starting off on a weak note, we can still come out strong
It's you and I, you and I still try
We may struggle, but we don't give up - we keep trying to overcome our obstacles
Writer(s): Emma Ruth Rundle
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tropical56_
Lyrics:
Run little sister, run so fast, I see he's gaining on you
Take a breath and make it last, the darkwater horizon
Smile like you mean it and just cast the light of hell right out of here
No one else can see it's the shape that makes you fall on fallow ground
So no more laying down, and no more dragging out
It's the darkhorse you give legs to, no one else can ride
In the wake of strange beginnings, we can still stand high
Sing a song, a verse unhinged, passed down from our mother
Take breath and make it count and learn to sing another
Try 'cause we need to and laugh the life of hell right out of here
No one else can see him, the shape that makes you fall on fallow ground
So lay your burden down in the springtime that surrounds you
It's the darkhorse we give legs to, that I am proud to ride
In the wake of weak beginnings, we can still stand high
You and I, it's you and I
You and I, it's you and I
Still try
@craskpillord
So glad I live in a time where so many women artists have a voice. This song is so amazing and beautiful.
@ChevalNektosha
Her music makes me feel the same way I do when I'm with the one I love . Nervous , excited, challenged and immersed in everything she is
@HerrTelef
"It's the darkhorse you give legs to, no one else can ride
In the wake of strange beginnings, we can still stand high"
Still got here tears in my eyes ....so biutiful....
@Daves_not_here
The entire album is absolutely brilliant.
@bloodbentvessels3254
This version of the song is fine, great even. But realizing that it exists now, I am TERRIFIED that the 6 minute version of the song with that beautiful and traumatic bridge might be forgotten!! That version is just pure perfection!
Please do not let that version disappear!!!
@Quantum973
This song is simultaneously so comforting and so melancholy. Such a beautiful album
@stamatisgiallolover9713
The drums-playing here is amazing! The whole song is great!
@tomaso1654
Heart stroke for the last 2 years..there is fire inside with no lies..
@miguelitomarques8
I'm being entranced with Chelsea Wolfe's music for almost two years now.
Then lately I started to hear Emma Ruth Rundle and holy shit...
Quality work here. Living legends!
@ConaniusmightySword
Always mesmerising and amazing. She continues to evolve with each release. All hail our Queen!!!