In 2005, frontman Baker arrived home from a road trip with a suitcase full of poems and melodies. Hey Rosetta! was formed soon after with the addition of a string section (cellist Romesh Thavanathan and violinist Kinley Dowling) and rhythm section (bassist Josh Ward, drummer Phil Maloney, and guitarist Adam Hogan). Since that time, they blossomed into a powerful group whose explosive live shows earned them a devoted following.
The band's album, Seeds, was produced by Tony Doogan (Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, Wintersleep) and revealed a maturing lyrical depth and an atmosphere rooted to the band's passion for epic musical experiences.
It was while recording 2008's breakthrough album Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood) that Tim Baker began to fully realize his vocal and lyrical abilities, and the band made a huge creative leap forward. Into Your Lungs garnered a slew of awards and critical accolades, was short-listed for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, and Hey Rosetta! were named one of Billboard's Top 5 new Canadian acts.
During the three solid years of touring after Into Your Lungs was released the concept of Seeds was born. "The title track, "Seeds", came about while out on the highway a few years ago" muses Baker. "In a way it's about what our lives had become, and how we're like seeds that float around into different fields and cities, bringing something and trying to build something for the people that come to see us."
The group developed the sonic landscapes found on Seeds while maintaining an extensive tour schedule that took them to Australia, China, Europe, the US and on numerous tours of Canada (including a tour of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut). The band then holed up in Newfoundland to finish the songs before traveling to Halifax, NS to record with renowned producer Tony Doogan at The Sonic Temple. "Tony was really incredible at getting all the sounds and tones we'd dreamt up. He's an amazing engineer and for all his Scottish bluster and pop-rock dogma, he is very sensitive, patient, and a gifted producer," says Baker (who wrote all of the songs except "Downstairs", "Young Glass", and "Seeds" which were co-writes with guitarist Adam Hogan).
Thematically, Seeds explores everything from depression to procreation. "Young Glass" was written after reading J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey". Baker explains:
"It's sort of directed at the novel's main character, Franny.. it describes a sleepwalking scene that didn't actually occur in the book, but one that I imagined. We spent a lot of time flying and sleeping on planes and in airports and I was always finding myself in half-waking states, feeling, as one does, all alone somewhere between dream and reality. When I'd wake up, I was always surrounded by people, going about their business. I like that; a sort of evidence that even when we think we are completely alone, we are not. So I wrote Franny, a character who is plagued by such thoughts, a song about it. but it's really about everyone".
First single "Welcome" is a song about Baker's close friends who were expecting a baby:
"I wrote a song for the little soon-to-be, who now is a 18 month old girl named Madeleine; healthy and beautiful, just like her parents" explains Baker, "I was just sitting with them talking to the unborn baby in a sort of cynical, joking way. You know, like "stay in there as long as you can kid. Sorry, but it's a mess out here..." and so on. Later, alone, I was thinking about what it means to bring new life into the world, how it's sort of sad but also so hopeful and kind of religious".
Hey Rosetta! decided to break up at the end of 2017.
Soft Offering
Hey Rosetta! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up the horizon and into our tired eyes
The spell of night is struck down a second sight
It's bleeding out
Anna, can I come and walk you home?
I'm not gonna want to be alone
Beat it up when the sunlight comes
Putting a cut by the clock on the wall
Take the morning in the coroner's light
You can have the afternoon, bury the evening too
Get me together in calm of the night
When the day is done and the rest is coming on
Under the pitch and the pull of the moon
Sweet, silver medicines swim in my temples and
Bring in the shadows to cover our fall
When the pain is gone and the rest is coming on .
You belong out of that uniform
Out in the streets when everyone else is asleep
See the way the body sways in empty air
When there's nobody there, and you don't even care if there is
Anna, can I be to you like that?
Cover your shame with a shield of black?
Cover your body with my trembling hands?
And you're dancing while I hold them back?
Go back to morning with the coroner's light
Have the afternoon, bury the evening too
Let's hide together in calm of the night
When the day is done and the rest is coming on
Under the pitch and the pull of the moon
Sweet, silver medicines swim in my temples and
Bring in the shadows to cover our wounds
When the pain is gone and the rest is coming on
The song "Soft Offering" by Hey Rosetta! evokes a sense of calmness and intimacy as the lyrics describe a desire for connection and companionship. The opening lines speak of the sun rising and a sense of tiredness, perhaps indicating the end of a long and eventful night. The second line, "The spell of the night is struck down a second sight, it's bleeding out," is particularly profound, as it suggests that the magic of the previous night is lingering, but is slowly fading away.
The singer then asks Anna if he can walk her home, highlighting a desire for companionship and closeness. The line "Beat it up when the sunlight comes, putting a cut by the clock on the wall" suggests that the day will bring a sense of urgency, and there is a desire to make the most of the remaining time before it arrives. As the song progresses, the lyrics speak of wanting to be alone with Anna, to be able to dance and hold her close, and to share time together under the moon.
The song's chorus speaks of taking in the morning, afternoon, and evening, suggesting a desire to experience all that the day has to offer, but also to hide with someone special in the calm of the night when the day is done. The lyric "sweet, silver medicines swim in my temples and bring in the shadows to cover our wounds" highlights the healing power of companionship and the rejuvenating effect that being with someone special can have.
Overall, "Soft Offering" is a song about wanting to connect with someone on a deeper, more intimate level, and the feelings of intimacy and vulnerability that come with that.
Line by Line Meaning
The long knife of the sun rising
The sun rising over the horizon and shining into our tired eyes
Up the horizon and into our tired eyes
The sun is rising over the horizon and shining bright into our tired eyes
The spell of night is struck down a second sight
The feelings of the night are fading and a new day comes in sight
It's bleeding out
The night is losing its power
Anna, can I come and walk you home?
Can I accompany you on your journey home?
I'm not gonna want to be alone
I don't want to be alone
Beat it up when the sunlight comes
Enjoy the moment when the sun rises
Putting a cut by the clock on the wall
Marking the passage of time on the clock on the wall
Take the morning in the coroner's light
Appreciate the morning light
You can have the afternoon, bury the evening too
You can enjoy the afternoon, and forget about the evening
Get me together in calm of the night
Connecting with myself in the peace and calm of the night
When the day is done and the rest is coming on
When the day is over, and rest is needed
Under the pitch and the pull of the moon
Under the influence of the moon's pull and darkness
Sweet, silver medicines swim in my temples and
Sweet sensations fill my head and ears
Bring in the shadows to cover our fall
Use shadows to hide our mistakes and missteps
When the pain is gone and the rest is coming on .
When the pain has disappeared, and one can finally rest
You belong out of that uniform
You don't need to fit into a particular mold
Out in the streets when everyone else is asleep
Being different and active at a time when everyone else is inactive
See the way the body sways in empty air
Observe how a body moves, even in the absence of any external force
When there's nobody there, and you don't even care if there is
When alone and not caring if anyone is watching
Anna, can I be to you like that?
Can I be there for you like that?
Cover your shame with a shield of black?
Shield your embarrassment with something dark
Cover your body with my trembling hands?
Hold you tightly with my trembling hands
And you're dancing while I hold them back?
You're dancing while I hold back my own emotions
Go back to morning with the coroner's light
Return to the light of morning
Have the afternoon, bury the evening too
Savor the afternoon, forget about the evening
Let's hide together in calm of the night
Let's find shelter from the night's darkness
When the day is done and the rest is coming on
When the day has ended and rest is needed
Under the pitch and the pull of the moon
Under the moon's dark influence
Sweet, silver medicines swim in my temples and
Sweet sensations fill my head and mind
Bring in the shadows to cover our wounds
Use the darkness to hide our wounds and pain
When the pain is gone and the rest is coming on
When the pain has disappeared and rest is imminent
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aaron Phillips
Aside from being ENJOYABLE music, the quality of musicianship in this band is incredible, paired with poetic lyrics this is a wonderful track from a wonderful band!!
Mike Bickert
So solid! This is a drummers dream!
Matt W
Such a beautiful song. Absolutely incredible musicians
BKlopps
how does this video only have 100 000 views, such an amazing song
A. A. Washburn
Served these folks in Halifax and they were the nicest people. Loving the new album!
JJ and The Pillars
Probably my favourite live video of the year!
GreatToastMigration
Holy cow, this music is incredible! It has a very unique sound.
SoLomusic138
LOVE THI SO MUCH <3 I remember them playing this at Osheaga and just WOW
Matthew Grant
Beautiful NFLD, beautiful studio, beautiful song. Connects to myself in every way possible.
OMGWTFLOLCYA
New album is fantastic! Great vid :D