Their debut album "Elyria" was released in 1993 and was followed by "Annwyn, Beneath The Waves" in 1996, in part a concept album based around the four elements. 1999 saw the release of their third album, "Evidence of Heaven". In 2001, "Vera Causa" a 2 CD set featuring a live permormance and various rarities was released. "The Burning Season" followed in 2004, and featured a more rock oriented formula. They continued to explore the boundaries of Gothic Rock with their 2009 album, :ankoku butoh: , an album which saw them delve into far-east Asian aesthetics.
Faith and the Muse currently live in Los Angeles, California, USA. Their website is http://www.mercyground.com
The Birds of Rhiannon
Faith and the Muse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing
You held me down
I struggled on the ground
So lost, the line had been crossed
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not talk.
You held me down.
I struggle to fly now
But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, we cannot deny
Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive
Oh, there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die, no
I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die.
And I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I shout it out like a bird set free
No I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I'll shout it out like a bird set free.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
I'll shout it out like a bird set .
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
I'll shout it out like a bird set free.
Now I fly, hit the high notes
I have a voice, have a voice, hear me roar tonight
You held me down
But I fought back loud.
Oh.
Yes, there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die, no
I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die
Oh I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I shout it out like a bird set free.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh.
shout it out like a bird set free.
The Birds of Rhiannon by Faith and the Muse is a song that speaks about the struggle for self-expression in the face of oppression. The lyrics, "Clipped wings, I was a broken thing, Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing" signify the feeling of being silenced, while "You held me down, I struggled on the ground" demonstrates the struggle to escape from oppression. The next set of lyrics, "But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide, We hold on so tight, we cannot deny" emphasizes the fact that the need for self-expression is an inherent part of every individual's personality but societal norms, and expectations often hold us back.
The lyrics "I find myself in my melodies, I sing for love, I sing for me, I shout it out like a bird set free" signify how overcoming inner demons, fighting oppression and letting go of the fear to express oneself can lead to a sense of liberation. The imagery of a bird, often associated with freedom, is used to represent the expression of oneself in this song, and the line "I'll shout it out like a bird set free" implies the idea of breaking free from societal norms and being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Clipped wings, I was a broken thing
I felt trapped and powerless, like my wings were clipped and I couldn't fly.
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing
I had thoughts and feelings that I wanted to express, but I felt too confined and silenced to do so.
You held me down
Someone or something was preventing me from being myself and living freely.
I struggled on the ground
I tried to fight back and regain control, but I felt like I was stuck and making no progress.
So lost, the line had been crossed
I felt like I had gone too far into darkness and despair, and wasn't sure if I could ever find my way back.
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not talk.
Even though I wanted to communicate and connect with others, I felt tongue-tied and unsure of what to say.
But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
Despite our efforts to suppress our pain and frustration, it continues to simmer and boil within us.
We hold on so tight, we cannot deny
We cling to our fears and doubts so tightly that we can't see any other options or possibilities for our future.
Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive
The anguish and negativity we carry around with us eventually consumes and destroys us, if we don't find a way to release and heal from it.
I struggle to fly now
Despite the obstacles in my life, I continue to strive for freedom and growth, even if it's difficult.
But I fought back loud. Oh
I refuse to let anyone or anything keep me down, and I'm willing to be vocal and assertive in my pursuit of happiness and success.
No I don't care if I sing off key
I refuse to be limited by others' expectations or criticisms of me, and I'm not afraid to make mistakes or be imperfect.
I find myself in my melodies
Music is a way for me to express my true self and connect with my emotions and innermost thoughts.
I sing for love, I sing for me
My music is an expression of my love for life and self-discovery, and I don't need anyone else to validate or appreciate it for it to be valuable to me.
I'll shout it out like a bird set free.
I will burst forth with my authentic voice and soar above any constraints or limitations that held me down before.
Now I fly, hit the high notes
I have broken free from my past and am embracing new opportunities and challenges with enthusiasm and joy.
I have a voice, have a voice, hear me roar tonight
I am not afraid to be seen and heard in all my power and glory, and I will show the world what I am capable of.
But I don't wanna die, no
I will not let my fears and doubts consume me to the point of giving up on myself and my goals.
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.