"Heather Dale's songs express something that honors tradition, but in keeping with the best of traditions they break new ground." WDVR FM (USA)
Elephant
Heather Dale Lyrics
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Who travelled from the Orient
"I know it all!" she sadly cried
"There must be something I've not tried!"
She packed her trunks and off she went
To learn, as noble beasts are meant
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
First she met a unicorn
Who taught her how to blow a horn
Just like a herald on parade
And of the two new friends who played
The King and Queen were quite impressed
The elephant could play the best
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember
So then our girl the elephant
Went off to see a pelican
She flapped her ears and learned to fly
And sang the chicks a lullaby
And when she came to take a rest
She learned to balance in a nest
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember
But soon our girl was off again
And living in a dragon's den
The dragon taught her what to count
And how to find the right amount
And just for fun she learned the game
Of how to set a town aflame
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember
When last we met she was at sea
She waved her trunk and called to me:
"I've joined up with a pirate crew!
I'll see the world, and when I'm through,"
She cried, "I've so much left to do --
Perhaps I'll come and learn from you!"
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember!
So like the one who learned it all
Remember, remember
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember
The song "Elephant" by Heather Dale tells the story of a curious and adventurous elephant who embarks on a journey to learn and experience new things. The song opens with the elephant expressing her desire to learn and try new things, even though she believes she knows it all. She sets off on her journey and encounters various animals along the way who teach her different skills. The unicorn teaches her how to play a horn, the pelican shows her how to fly and balance in a nest, and the dragon teaches her how to count and play with fire. The elephant eventually joins a pirate crew and continues to learn and explore the world.
The song has a playful and whimsical tone and emphasizes the importance of seeking new experiences and knowledge. It also highlights the idea that learning is a lifelong process and that there is always something new to discover. The phrase "like the one who learned it all, remember" is repeated throughout the song as a reminder to always be open to learning and to remember the adventures and lessons that have led to personal growth and development.
Overall, "Elephant" is a fun and upbeat song that encourages listeners to embrace curiosity and seek out new experiences and knowledge.
Line by Line Meaning
I once heard of an elephant
There was a story about an elephant.
Who travelled from the Orient
The elephant came from the Far East.
"I know it all!" she sadly cried
The elephant felt like she knew everything but was still unhappy.
"There must be something I've not tried!"
The elephant wanted to learn something new.
She packed her trunks and off she went
The elephant left to embark on a journey.
To learn, as noble beasts are meant
The elephant wanted to learn because that's what noble creatures do.
First she met a unicorn
The elephant's first encounter was with a mythical creature.
Who taught her how to blow a horn
The unicorn taught the elephant a new skill.
Just like a herald on parade
The elephant was able to play music like a professional musician.
And of the two new friends who played
The two animals had become friends and played together.
The King and Queen were quite impressed
Even royalty was impressed by the elephant's musical ability.
The elephant could play the best
The elephant was the most skilled musician of the group.
So then our girl the elephant
The narrative shifted to the elephant's next adventure.
Went off to see a pelican
The elephant made a new friend and traveled with them.
She flapped her ears and learned to fly
The pelican taught the elephant how to fly.
And sang the chicks a lullaby
The elephant used her newfound talent to sing a lullaby to baby birds.
And when she came to take a rest
The elephant took a break from traveling.
She learned to balance in a nest
The elephant learned an essential survival skill.
But soon our girl was off again
The elephant resumed her journey.
And living in a dragon's den
The elephant met a dragon and joined them in their home.
The dragon taught her what to count
The dragon taught the elephant how to count, a new skill.
And how to find the right amount
The dragon taught the elephant how to use the numbers she counted.
And just for fun she learned the game
The elephant learned how to play a game from the dragon.
Of how to set a town aflame
The game involved setting a town on fire, which was not a noble or safe activity.
When last we met she was at sea
The elephant was last seen on a boat.
She waved her trunk and called to me:
The elephant made farewell to the singer.
"I've joined up with a pirate crew!
The elephant joined a group of pirates on their ship.
I'll see the world, and when I'm through,"
The elephant planned to travel the world with the pirates.
She cried, "I've so much left to do --
The elephant still had many ambitions and adventures ahead.
Perhaps I'll come and learn from you!"
The elephant suggested she would like to keep learning new things from the singer.
So like the one who learned it all
The elephant was like someone who learned many things.
Remember, remember
The artist implores the listener to recall the elephant's story.
Like the one who learned it all -- Remember!
The story of the elephant is worth remembering because she was always willing to learn and experience new things.
Contributed by Alyssa V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.