Fifty-five years ago, Marilyn Bell took a plunge and traversed Lake Ontario. Back then, being a Great Lake swimmer was a big deal; now, it's an astonishing physical feat taken for granted. It's a rapidly forgotten part of history, like a faded map or a tattered photograph. Or a lost channel.
Tony Dekker's Great Lake Swimmers have spent the past seven years performing on stages around the world - though, like Bell, they should never be taken for granted. LOST CHANNELS, their fourth album set for release on March 31st, finds them once again recording at historic locations. This time in the Thousand Islands region of Ontario and New York state, telling tales of hidden histories, still "mining for light in the dark wells," still "tuned to an instrument of greater and unknown design."
The instrument in question is the singular voice of Tony Dekker, a voice that summons ghosts from times past. It’s a voice that is capable of conveying heartache and comfort all in the space of a single phrase. Though his supporting cast has changed over the years—with the exception of longtime right-hand man Erik Arnesen — Dekker has always encircled him self with sympathetic players who value spacious arrangements that frame his vocals. Over time, the band has evolved from a sparse, delicate and hushed unit into a well-rounded folk rock band, sacrificing none of their original intimacy while upping both the volume and tempos when necessary.
Dekker chooses to record in old churches, community halls, abandoned grain silos and rural locations. It's easy to hear why. His voice doesn't need any studio embellishment, standing at its strongest when bathed in natural reverb and enriched by the historical context surrounding it.
To record LOST CHANNELS, Dekker and company went upstream on the St. Lawrence River to the Thousand Islands, halfway between Toronto and Montreal, a historic and picturesque area that straddles the Canadian/American border, and has been designated a World Biosphere Region. Great Lake Swimmers arrived at the invitation of fan and Thousand Islands photographer/regional historian Ian Coristine (www.1000islandsphotoart.com).
Coristine was able to arrange for the band to record in a number of acoustically unique spaces within the region, including one of the area's most storied landmarks, Singer Castle on Dark Island, near Hammond, NY (www.singercastle.com); as well as the historical Brockville Arts Centre (www.brockvilleartscentre.com); and at St. Brendan’s Church in Rockport, ON.
Additional recording took place at Halla and the Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto and the album was woven into a cohesive whole at the House Of Miracles, in London, ON, with long-time Great Lake Swimmers collaborator, Andy Magoffin.
That the album was created in both rural splendour and urban Ontario makes perfect sense for a band that has always navigated the parallels between natural and urban rhythms. River imagery recurs throughout LOST CHANNELS; the title of the album is a reference to a certain passage of the St. Lawrence, close to the recording locale, where a reconnaissance boat from a British warship went mysteriously missing in 1760. There’s no specific reference to the incident in the lyrics, though there are plenty of night skies, howling winds and raging rivers in almost every song which captures an elusive sense of mystery. As the album closes, Dekker sings the final lyrics—“Like the unstoppable river… Your beauty is gentle/ but forceful, and fast”—before the band ends on a suspended note. There is no resolution there, only eternity, a continuum, an endless river.
LOST CHANNELS also features the talents of Julie Fader (flute/backing vocals), Greg Millson (drums), Darcy Yates (bass), with appearances by Erin Aurich on violin; Mike Olsen on cello; and Paul Aucoin on vibraphone; along with special guests / Swimmers collaborators Serena Ryder with vocals on “Everything Is Moving So Fast” and Bob Egan on pedal steel.
Four albums into an already-rich and storied career, Great Lake Swimmers’ live show has won them ever-expanding audiences in the United States and Europe, and of course their native Canada. In 2008 Great Lake Swimmers shared the stage with an impressive list of artists, including Feist, Bela Fleck & The Sparrow Quartet, Hayden, Goldfrapp, Bill Callahan of Smog, and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
Pulling On a Line
Great Lake Swimmers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or meters underwater, ending with a hook
Sways in the air when there's wind enough to lift
The fine ones are boundaries when there is a rift
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
Oh I'm just pulling on a line
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
The line, it inks across the freshly fallen snow
Where only those embracing coldness would go
In whistles and in whispers and sometimes in howls
It sings to me sweetly from trees and in vowels
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
Oh I'm just pulling on a line
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
But sometimes it pulls on me
The line, it writes itself across the dark sky
In the air, electric flashes ending with a sigh
It weaves itself into a fabric so true
And flows just like the river, graceful and blue
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
Oh I'm just pulling on a line
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
But sometimes it pulls on me
The lyrics to Great Lake Swimmers' song Pulling on a Line boast a deeply metaphorical meaning that's rife with poetic language. The song speaks about lines, both literal and figurative, and how they can be pulled in multiple ways, signifying a few things.
The first verse speaks of a line that runs like a train in a book or underwater. The line sways in the air when there's wind enough to lift, and it serves as a boundary when there is a rift. A line is a simple thing that can serve many purposes, and it is up to the user to define the line's meaning within a particular context. In this way, one can interpret that the line refers to life and relationships - sometimes you have to draw a line, sometimes you need something to hold onto, and sometimes you need something to guide you through rough patches.
The second verse talks about how the line is visible across various terrain, be it freshly fallen snow, trees, or the sky. The line "sings sweetly" and is described in "whistles and whispers and sometimes in howls." This could be interpreted as the line representing one's purpose in life or the path one is supposed to take. One can choose to follow it or choose to ignore it, but the line is always present in some form.
The chorus repeats the mantra, "I'm just pulling on a line," with the singer acknowledging that they are trying to make sense of it all. It's a simple expression of the struggle with life that wraps around the metaphor of the line, making it a pleasant but thought-provoking listen.
Line by Line Meaning
The line runs through like a train in a book
The line is like a story unfolding, passing through like a train traveling through the pages of a book.
Or meters underwater, ending with a hook
The line can also be submerged underwater, but it always comes to an end, like a hook that catches onto something.
Sways in the air when there's wind enough to lift
The line moves with the wind, swaying and dancing in the air like a flag when there is enough gust to lift it up.
The fine ones are boundaries when there is a rift
The finer lines may serve as boundaries or markers, especially when there is a divide or gap.
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
The singer is simply pulling on a line, like tugging on a loose thread, without knowing where it will lead.
Oh I'm just pulling on a line
The repetitive lyric emphasizes the simplicity and uncertainty of the action, just pulling on a line, without expectation or intention.
But sometimes it pulls on me
Despite the casual manner of pulling on a line, the line can also pull on the singer, indicating that there may be a deeper connection or meaning.
The line, it inks across the freshly fallen snow
The line leaves a visible trace, like ink on paper, on the untouched snow, a sign of its presence and journey.
Where only those embracing coldness would go
The line leads to a place of coldness and solitude, where only those who welcome the harshness and beauty of nature would venture.
In whistles and in whispers and sometimes in howls
The line communicates in a variety of sounds, from soft whispers to piercing howls, expressing different moods and meanings.
It sings to me sweetly from trees and in vowels
The line can also sound like a sweet song, coming from the trees and the sounds of vowels, conveying a sense of enchantment and harmony.
The line, it writes itself across the dark sky
The line also paints itself across the vast expanse of the night sky, like a cosmic signature or message.
In the air, electric flashes ending with a sigh
The line creates electric flashes of light, marking its presence with a sigh, like a quiet exhalation of breath.
It weaves itself into a fabric so true
The line forms a pattern or design, weaving itself into a fabric that reflects the truth and beauty of the world.
And flows just like the river, graceful and blue
The line can also flow like a river, moving gracefully and freely, imbued with the color blue that symbolizes depth and mystery.
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
greenstyle130
This has got to be some of the most beautiful and peaceful music i've ever heard.
Pamela Garcia
His voice is soo pure that I just think I'm not sad anymore ,there are flowers all over my soul .
Takin' it EZ with DZ
I love, love, love The Great Lake Swimmers. All of their albums are fantastic. Very beautiful and melodic songs. I can't wait to see them live.
Stephan Beekhuis
Wow ❤️, just discovered this song!! I am so grateful there are still beautiful songs to discover.. play it on repeat the whole day 😀😀😀
Lance Butte
The bass line is brilliant in this song. Simple,yet very pleasing to the ears.
allignez
This song is just fantastic. So relaxing and peaceful to listen to... I cannot wait to see them in Ottawa!
greyvoose
I don't know why but I'm strangely addicted to this song...its very calming
Linda Hainsworth
Love this song. The words the video is wonderful
wolboatpo
wow, i really think theyre gonna grow big, its not my kind of music but it certainly is awesome! 5* keep up the good work
Louis Hobbs
I should have mentioned this 14 years ago, but this is a really beautiful song. ❤