Hannah-Rei graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Music from the Sir Paul McCartney inspired Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 2007 and is the youngest person in the world to gain a Masters Degree in Songwriting!
In November 2006, Hannah won the MBF National Songwriting Awards and has written with songwriters and producers from both sides of the Atlantic.
Morning
Hannah-Rei Lyrics
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Photographs in columns black
Thirty dead and they're still counting bodies
Thirty dead and they're still
Calling us inside
They're calling us inside
I saw my father at the breakfast table
I saw my brother flipping pages
Wiping hands and getting black soot
But do not raise your voices
Oh do not raise your voices
Cold morning in West Virginia
Cold morning in my twin size bed
Cold morning when my mother heard the door talk
Cold morning with the soot upon their heads
So do not raise your voices
Oh do not raise your voices
The lyrics of Hannah-Rei's song "Morning" depict a somber and tragic scene in Coal County, West Virginia. The first verse describes the aftermath of a mining disaster, with the mention of photographs in columns of black, referring to the obituaries or memorial pictures. The line "Thirty dead and they're still counting bodies," suggests the magnitude of the tragedy and the ongoing efforts to recover and identify the victims.
The repetition of the phrase "Calling us inside" implies that the community is being summoned to come together, perhaps for mourning or support. It also conveys a sense of urgency and the need to seek refuge or solace amidst the chaos and devastation.
The second verse shifts the focus to the singer's personal experience. They mention seeing their father and brother at the breakfast table, emphasizing the normalcy and routine juxtaposed with the underlying tragedy. The act of flipping pages and getting soot on the china symbolizes how the coal mining industry, central to their lives, leaves both physical and psychological marks on those involved.
The repeated refrain of "But do not raise your voices" suggests a sense of resignation or suppression, possibly reflecting the community's collective grief or the need to maintain composure in the face of adversity. It could also be interpreted as a plea to not exacerbate the emotional burden by adding unnecessary noise or conflict.
In the final verse, the lyrics evoke the coldness both in the literal sense and as a metaphor for the emotional state of the singer and their community. The mention of a twin-size bed suggests a feeling of loneliness or vulnerability. The door talking symbolizes the news or information about the mining disaster reaching the singer's mother, further deepening the sense of unease and sorrow.
The repetition of "So do not raise your voices" reiterates the plea for restraint and echoes the theme of silent suffering. It may also reflect the singer's own internal struggle to process and cope with the overwhelming tragedy.
Overall, the lyrics paint a poignant picture of a community grappling with loss and trauma, while highlighting the resilience and resilience of the human spirit. It addresses themes of grief, family, and the complex relationship with the coal mining industry in a heartfelt and introspective manner.
Line by Line Meaning
Coal county West Virginia
A region in West Virginia known for its coal mining industry
Photographs in columns black
Pictures displayed in a somber arrangement
Thirty dead and they're still counting bodies
A high death toll and ongoing efforts to determine the exact number
Calling us inside
Urgently summoning us indoors
They're calling us inside
They are insisting that we go indoors
I saw my father at the breakfast table
I observed my father sitting at the dining table in the morning
I saw my brother flipping pages
I witnessed my brother turning the pages of a book or newspaper
Wiping hands and getting black soot on the china
Cleaning their hands and unintentionally smudging black soot onto the delicate dishes
Wiping hands and getting black soot
Using their hands to remove dirt and obtaining black soot in the process
But do not raise your voices
However, please refrain from speaking loudly or making noise
Oh do not raise your voices
Oh, please do not raise your voices
Cold morning in West Virginia
The weather is chilly in West Virginia
Cold morning in my twin size bed
A cold morning spent in a bed designed for two
Cold morning when my mother heard the door talk
A cold morning when my mother overheard a conversation at the door
Cold morning with the soot upon their heads
A chilly morning where people have ash-like soot on their heads
So do not raise your voices
Therefore, refrain from raising your voices
Oh do not raise your voices
Oh, please do not raise your voices
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Hannah Strickland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RAWRmrm0n5t3r
the album version is VERY NICE
met Hannah online doing some covers, & I'll support an indie artist ALL DAY
album is always in my playlist rotation
Build It Up
Up-Side Down
Goodbye Goodluck
my 3faves
Christina Amen
Hannah your voice is insane, so good. The new hair looks great too! x
Dane Khoo
Really enjoyed your voice with the lovely piano accompaniment Hannah! keep it up!
RAWRmrm0n5t3r
the album version is VERY NICE
met Hannah online doing some covers, & I'll support an indie artist ALL DAY
album is always in my playlist rotation
Build It Up
Up-Side Down
Goodbye Goodluck
my 3faves
Kezia Newson
Hannah this is absolutely gorgeous! love it.
UnsignedMusiciansRS
Such a beautiful voice!
mossyburger
amazing john-legend like tune, super nice jazzy keyboard/ chords as usual! go hannah!!
Sean Wheeler
Love it! Such good stuff!! sean
larzonya
Beautiful!Thanks for the tune!
Jojo Fauchier
im so happy there are so many talented people out there. amazing song! amazing voice! you have a new sub :) xxxx
kuaktak
Not really my style, but I can recognise talent when I hear it! Don't stop beleiving!