Major releases include Country Hai East Cotton (2009), Bad Debt (2010), Poor Moon (2011), Lord I Love the Rain (2012), Haw (2013), Lateness of Dancers (2014), and Heart Like a Levee (2016). Their second album in 12 months, Hallelujah Anyhow, was released in September 2017. Most are available through MC Taylor's own recording company, the Heaven & Earth Magic Shop.
Sanctuary
Hiss Golden Messenger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't get out of my own mind
I know how to sing about it
Ring of bone, a little lonely
I better hit the road, child
We can cry into the phone a while
Jubilee, find me
That little light's gotta last a while
Like an arrow to the marrow
I know it feels like hell now
'Til we make it to the other side
Want good news, you want sanctuary
When you try to get real
Oh, they break you in one week
You wanna move, you want sanctuary
That's all that I can offer to you
From the bottom to the bone, to the bone
Get used to the bad news
It's all part of the show, child
Handsome Johnny had to go, child
What did you feel, brother, bad dreams?
Well, there's something you should know now
There's little things that'll cut you down
Ragged people, hard times
And the lightning strikes the poorhouse
Rich man cries like a crocodile
Salvation, despair
But the game that they taught me
Sometimes it feels like it just ain't fair
You want good news, you want sanctuary
And when you try to get real
Oh, they break you in one week
You wanna move, you want sanctuary
That's all that I can offer to you
From the bottom to the bone, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Feeling bad, feeling blue
Can't get out of my own mind
I know how to sing about it
In "Sanctuary" by Hiss Golden Messenger, the singer is expressing feelings of being trapped in his own thoughts and emotions. He admits to feeling bad and blue, and that he can't escape his own mind. Yet, he knows how to sing about it, suggesting that expressing his emotions through music may be a form of release for him. He's seeking solace in the form of sanctuary, or safety and protection, from a world that feels overwhelming and unfair.
The chorus repeats the line "You want good news, you want sanctuary," emphasizing the desperation for safety and good news in a world that seems to constantly break you down. The images of ragged people, hard times, and lightning striking the poorhouse are all symbols of struggle and despair. The singer acknowledges the unfairness of it all, yet still offers his own brand of sanctuary - singing about the pain and finding comfort in music.
Overall, "Sanctuary" is a powerful message about the struggles of the world and the power of music to provide solace and comfort in uncertain times. It's a reminder to keep pushing through, even when it feels like the world is against you.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling bad, feeling blue
Feeling unhappy and depressed
Can't get out of my own mind
Unable to stop thinking about my problems
I know how to sing about it
I can express my feelings through music
Ring of bone, a little lonely
Feeling isolated and lonely
I better hit the road, child
I need to leave to find some peace
We can cry into the phone a while
We can share our sorrows over the phone
Jubilee, find me
Hoping for a celebration or a happy ending
Steady with your hope now
Hold on with hope and persistence
That little light's gotta last a while
A small hope can sustain us for a long time
Like an arrow to the marrow
Painful and deep-reaching like an arrow to the bone marrow
I know it feels like hell now
Things are difficult and painful right now
'Til we make it to the other side
Things will get better eventually
Want good news, you want sanctuary
Looking for comfort and safety
When you try to get real
When you are honest with yourself and face reality
Oh, they break you in one week
People can hurt and destroy us with their words quickly
You wanna move, you want sanctuary
Desperately wanting to escape and find safety
That's all that I can offer to you
I can only offer a safe space for you
From the bottom to the bone, to the bone
From the very core of my being, I offer this sanctuary
Get used to the bad news
Expect the worst
It's all part of the show, child
Life is like a performance where anything can happen
Handsome Johnny had to go, child
Referring to a tragic loss
What did you feel, brother, bad dreams?
Asking a question about a possible distressing event or experience
Well, there's something you should know now
There's important information you need to hear
There's little things that'll cut you down
Small things can hurt and bring you down
Ragged people, hard times
Poverty and struggles
And the lightning strikes the poorhouse
Misfortune can hit the poor people the hardest
Rich man cries like a crocodile
Even rich people can suffer and pretend to show empathy
Salvation, despair
Hope and desperation
But the game that they taught me
The lessons that life has taught me
Sometimes it feels like it just ain't fair
Life can seem unjust and cruel
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Oh, to the bone
Repeating the phrase 'to the bone' as a way of emphasizing the deep and profound nature of the feelings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Carrington Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FoundingFathers2012
Feeling bad
Feeling blue
Can't get out of my own mind
I know how to sing about it
Ring of bone
A little lonely
I better hit the road, child
We can cry into the phone a while
Jubilee
Find me
Steady with your hope now
That little light's gotta last a while
Like an arrow to the marrow
I know it feels like hell now
'Til we make it to the other side
You want good news
You want sanctuary
When you try to get real
Oh, they break you on the wheel
You wanna move
You want sanctuary
That's all that I can offer to you
From the bottom to the bone
To the bone
Get used to the bad news
It's all part of the show, child
Handsome Johnny had to go, child
What did you feel, brother?
Bad dreams
Oh, there's something you should know now
Little things that'll cut you down
Ragged people
Hard times
And the lightning strikes the poorhouse
The rich man cries like a crocodile
Salvation
Despair
But the game that they taught me
Sometimes it feels like it just ain't fair
You want good news
You want sanctuary
When you try to get real
Oh, they break you on the wheel
You wanna move
You want sanctuary
That's all that I can offer to you
From the bottom to the bone
To the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Ah, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Ah, to the bone
Yeah, to the bone
Ah, to the bone
Feeling bad
Feeling blue
Can't get out of my own mind
But I know how to sing about it
Brodie Thomas
The bass line in this song is everything.
Ireallyshouldntbehere ltd
How this hasn't got more traction is criminal. I first heard HGM on BBC Radio 4 many years ago being interviewed and have been a huge fan ever since. A real talent. Please keep on keeping on mate. You have gotten me through some really shit times and bought a smile to a worn out soul.
Fud Bob
This!
Michelle Kolarik
It's because he he's full of talent instead of putting his ego on display in no class ways.
Pancho308
It makes me mad that people think there is no good current music out there. Come out from under your rocks and explore. You have a whole new world to explore.
BigFortyBurnsey
I have friends who still eagerly await the latest re-release from the Eagles.
Pancho308
@BigFortyBurnsey Friend?
meesalikeu
it would help if they played new music when you go out. its always 70s-80s-grunge.
Vicki Herndon
Very true!! I am coming out from under my rock and found these guys on xm radio!
John W. Ross
Sad would be better. But, yeah, people sometimes stop growing at some point and just stagnate, running in the same old, same old circles. That's not what life is about. If you're not changing and growing, you're out of the game.