Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I'll be home for Christmas
Carol of the Bells
Hark! How the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From everywhere
Filling the air
Oh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O'er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On, on they send
On without end
Their joyful tone
To every home
Ding, dong, ding, dong.
The first stanza of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Indigo Girls sings of the singer's certainty of being home for Christmas. The lyrics carry a promise to their loved ones that they will be there to celebrate and to share in the family traditions. The expectation is amplified by the singer's request for traditional Christmas decorations like mistletoe, presents under the tree, and snow. The line "please have snow and mistletoe" stresses the importance of the season's typical symbols, and how significant it is to the singer to have them present, adding to the festive environment of their homecoming.
The second line of the first stanza reflects a feeling of reassurance that the singer's loved ones will be waiting for them, highlighting how important it is for the singer to be home for Christmas. The second stanza, “Carol of the Bells,” carries on the Christmas cheer, painting a picture of the sound and joy that the holiday brings. The sound of the church bells in the song represents the grandeur of the season and how everyone comes together to celebrate it. It talks about the typical festive spirit of the time, where even people who are meek in life come together to spread joy and happiness. The song, as a whole, encompasses the importance of the festive season, striking the right chords, and bringing all facets of the holiday season together.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home for Christmas;
I promise to make it home for the holidays
You can count on me.
You can rely on me to be there
Please have snow and mistletoe
It would be great to have traditional holiday decorations
And presents on the tree.
I hope there will be gifts under the Christmas tree
Christmas Eve will find me
I plan to spend Christmas Eve with loved ones
Where the love-light gleams.
In a place filled with joy and love
I'll be home for Christmas
Even if it's just in my heart and mind
If only in my dreams.
My thoughts and memories will help me feel close to home
Hark! How the bells
Listen to the beautiful sound of the bells
Sweet silver bells
The lovely sound of these bells is enchanting
All seem to say,
As if the bells are speaking
'Throw cares away.'
Forget your worries and enjoy the holiday season
Christmas is here
The most wonderful time of the year has arrived
Bringing good cheer
Spreading joy and happiness to all
To young and old
The holiday season is for everyone, regardless of age
Meek and the bold
The holiday season welcomes all personalities and traits
Ding, dong, ding, dong
The bells continue to ring joyfully
That is their song
The ringing of the bells is their way of singing
With joyful ring
Their ringing is filled with happiness
All caroling
The bells are singing a song of goodwill
One seems to hear
It's as if a choir of angels is singing
Words of good cheer
The bells bring a message of happiness and positivity
From everywhere
The sound of the bells can be heard far and wide
Filling the air
Their joyous sound spreads throughout the atmosphere
Oh how they pound,
The sound of the bells reverberate powerfully
Raising the sound,
The volume of the bells increases
O'er hill and dale,
The sound can be heard across the countryside
Telling their tale,
The bells bring a message of peace and joy
Gaily they ring
The bells ring with a festive spirit
While people sing
People join in to sing along with the bells
Songs of good cheer
The songs sung during the holiday season are joyful and uplifting
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Wishing everyone a very happy and merry Christmas
On, on they send
The sound of the bells continues to travel
On without end
The sound of the bells seems to go on forever
Their joyful tone
The bells bring a message of happiness and joy
To every home
The sound of the bells reaches every household
Ding, dong, ding, dong.
The joyful ringing of the bells continues
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, GANNON & KENT MUSIC CO, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buck Ram, Walter Kent, Kim Gannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind