Together, Campbell and Lanegan formed a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They released a series of albums: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. Their third album Hawk was released in August 2010. The same year the live album "Live At The Barbican London 2010 " was released.
To Hell & Back Again
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have been to hell and back again
My doctor knows, he comes and goes
For I'm at Your door, I'm knee up in the storm
My sister says that I should rest
She's been there too and she knows best
A spirit's close, I love the most
Nothing to fear when He draws near
As the twilight falls to wipe away your tears
When he laid me down, when he brought me around
My baby's prayer, the sweetest sound
I'm in despair, I cannot win
I've been to hell and back again
And back again, and back again
And back again, come back again
The lyrics of "To Hell & Back Again" by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan speaks of a person's struggle with despair and their journey to overcome it. The songwriter portrays a feeling of being stuck in a storm, helpless and in need of help. The individual mentions their doctor as a possible way out, highlighting their awareness of their mental state. They call upon the ultimate source of comfort and strength - the Holy Trinity - for guidance.
The songwriter further emphasizes that there is "nothing to fear" when God is near. The use of "twilight" as a metaphor for a new beginning to wipe away tears, leaves the reader with a sense of hope. The song concludes with an understanding that the journey to overcome despair is not an easy process, but it's one worth enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in despair, I cannot win
I am feeling hopeless and defeated
I have been to hell and back again
I have been through a lot of difficult experiences
My doctor knows, he comes and goes
My doctor is aware of my struggles but is not always available
For I'm at Your door, I'm knee up in the storm
I am reaching out to you in the midst of turmoil
My sister says that I should rest
My sister is advising me to take a break
She's been there too and she knows best
She has gone through similar experiences and understands what I'm going through
A spirit's close, I love the most
The spirit I feel closest to is the one I cherish the most
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost
The Holy Trinity
Nothing to fear when He draws near
When God is present, there is nothing to be afraid of
As the twilight falls to wipe away your tears
As darkness falls, things will start to look better and your sadness will fade away
When he laid me down, when he brought me around
When God helped me through my struggles and gave me hope
My baby's prayer, the sweetest sound
The prayer of my child is the most beautiful and comforting thing to me
And back again, and back again
Despite going through hardships before, I find myself going through them again
And back again, come back again
Despite my struggles, I keep coming back to seek help and hope
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ISOBEL KAREN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
willmsm1
I love the whole record. First time around though, I like this song in particular; it is warm, adorable, and it soars.
Zoe Wilding
Love this album. Love her and Lanegan together. Love everything that Lanegan's done. Neither of them are front people, stay in the background. Like that...
romancico
¡¡¡ Vaya canción bonita, Martin Thomas !!! Gracias por descubrirme a ésta pareja tan buena !!! Román
8 equal symbol 3
"But only love can break your heart..."
Alexander Moltz
shout out to that one guy in the chilled cow lo fi session
Rachel Brudenell
Tune 🎶💕
Amy Lauren
Mazzy Star was my first thought too, good stuff!!
Steve Forest
The guitar is Neil Young - Only Love Can Break Your Heart.
Brian Daniels
Absolutely freeing to recovered heroin addicts everywhere
severalseasons
"Mazzy Star"-terrain!