It is a strange mix of themes ranging from the American West to the ballads and jigs of Celtic ancestors that somehow seems to make sense in the musical world Jack Hardy has created. And it is a separate world to which the listener is transported; a timeless place inhabited by tinkers and cowboys, saints and sinners, elves, virgins and crones. From his extensive travels and reading he has forged an endearing non-academic approach to literature, one that is more at home in the pub than in the classroom. "He clearly seems to enjoy making his listeners think. He may dare his audience to figure out what he is saying, but he also credits them with the intelligence to do so" (Tom Nelligan, Dirty Linen, 1998).
In Europe, where Hardy has toured extensively for over 20 years, he is accepted as an ambassador for American music. In an Italian encyclopedia of rock Jack has a larger entry than many prominent rock stars.
"Nothing adventuresome is created in a vacuum," Jack says, "you get people together and the creative sparks fly." The weekly songwriters workshop which he has hosted for many years taught and nurtured countless songwriters, not the least of which are Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Shawn Colvin, Richard Shindell and David Massengill. The Fast Folk Musical Magazine, which he founded and edited, released the first recordings of most of the artists currently headlining folk festivals. This collection of over 100 compilation albums has now been taken over by the Smithsonian.
Gregarious and outgoing when talking about his songs and songwriting in general, Jack fiercely guards the privacy of his personal life. Jack Hardy was born in Indiana, his father a musician, his mother a painter. He grew up in New York, Colorado, and Connecticut, studied opera and literature in college.
In 1998, Prime CD reissued his first ten albums in a box set as well as his eleventh album The Passing. In 1996, BCN Records released a tribute album The Songs of Jack Hardy: Of the White Goddess, a collection of his Celtic ballads (all sung by women). In 1997, Jack was the recipient of The Kate Wolf Memorial Award, given yearly to "an artist who makes a difference through his music" by the World Folk Music Association. In 2000, Prime CD has released Jack's twelfth album Omens.
Omens was recorded live to 24 track analog in two days, using the vintage recording equipment of Prime CD's Theater 99 recording studio in New York City, with no overdubs. The fourteen songs range from the uptempo Celtic "Sile na gCioch" where a tinker finds a dress on the side of the road and gives it to a young lass, to the majestic "West of Dingle" where a woman faces a choice between her lover and her fiddle; from the biting barrage of juxtaposed media images of "I Ought to Know" to the romantic ballad "Only One Sky" and back to the uptempo humorous Clancy Brother-ish "The Boney Bailiff." This album takes you on quite a musical voyage with some of Jack's best poetic imagery, but it is the sweeping beautiful melodies that carry these songs directly into your memory. The players include Jack's current touring band: Tom Duval on electric guitar and harmony (also heard on Jack's albums The Hunter and Civil Wars), Mike Laureanno on Hofner bass and harmony, Dave Anthony on Drums (also heard on Jack's album The Passing), and Kate MacLeod on fiddle. The album also features a buried bonus track containing 19 minutes of Suzanne Vega interviewing Jack on the subject of songwriting. Hardy's 16th album, Rye Grass, arrived on Great Divide in 2009. Jack Hardy passed away on March 11, 2011.
source and more infos: http://www.jackhardy.com/
Arrow
Jack Hardy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scattering leaves in blood red hues
What tension shot me down this road
Hell bent so far that I almost broke
I had once in mind to drag my bow
After hart and hind and stag and roe
If the shaft proved straight and my aim proved true
(chorus:)
This arrow was my only weapon
This arrow guarded me quite well
This arrow held no earthly tether
No angel feather on a bat out of hell
And with focus narrowed down to will
And eyes cross-hatched against the kill
There are no sins I will atone
For muscle, sinew, gristle and bone
(repeat chorus)
And I rode and rode as clouds flew past
With six white horses all lathered and fast
My scars and marks have now worn smooth
For I am this arrow and it came for you
The lyrics of Jack Hardy's "Arrow" describe a journey through the night, with the singer speeding down a road under a sickle moon. The imagery of scattering leaves in blood red hues adds a sense of foreboding and tension to the scene. The singer then reflects on his previous intent to hunt game with his bow, and how he would have taken the spoils home for someone he cares about. The chorus then emphasizes the importance of the arrow as the singer's only weapon, holding no physical tether and keeping him guarded. The verse then speaks of a focus and determination towards the hunt, with no regret or guilt for the kill. The final verse then describes the singer's journey, now embodying the arrow that he once held, and coming for the person he cares about.
The lyrics of "Arrow" can be interpreted in different ways, but at its core, the song seems to center around the themes of determination, sacrifice, and love. The singer is determined to reach his destination, even at the risk of breaking, and has already sacrificed the game he intended to hunt. The arrow becomes a symbol of his determination and protection, to the point where he becomes the arrow himself. And through all this, the singer's love for someone is the driving force behind his actions.
Line by Line Meaning
As I drive hell bent 'neath the sickle moon
While driving recklessly under a lunar cycle symbolizing change, I feel a sense of determination to achieve something.
Scattering leaves in blood red hues
The fall foliage around me is creating a beautiful but ominous scene.
What tension shot me down this road
What stressful situation or feeling led me to embark on this path?
Hell bent so far that I almost broke
I was so determined to achieve my goal that I almost went too far and reached my breaking point.
I had once in mind to drag my bow
I intended to pursue something with focus and precision, like an archer shooting their bow.
After hart and hind and stag and roe
I had planned to hunt various types of animals for a purpose.
If the shaft proved straight and my aim proved true
If my plan was well-organized and my execution was accurate,
I would bring it all back home for you
I would bring back the fruits of my labor to whoever I care about.
(chorus:)
Repeating the chorus throughout the song serves as a reminder of the importance and impact of the arrow.
This arrow was my only weapon
I relied solely on my well-planned and well-executed approach to achieve my goal.
This arrow guarded me quite well
The process I pursued acted as a form of protection and was effective in allowing me to achieve success.
This arrow held no earthly tether
My approach was not bound by any traditional societal or cultural beliefs, but was rather unconventional and independent.
No angel feather on a bat out of hell
Even though my method may have seemed reckless and rough, it was free of any spiritual or divine guidance or influence.
And with focus narrowed down to will
My determination and dedication was precise and focused.
And eyes cross-hatched against the kill
I was fully committed to my plan, and nothing could distract me from accomplishing my goal.
There are no sins I will atone
I have no regrets for the approach I took in achieving my goal.
For muscle, sinew, gristle and bone
My hard work and dedication, both physically and mentally, allowed me to achieve what I sought.
(repeat chorus)
The chorus repeats to remind us of the significance of the approach I took in pursuing my goal.
And I rode and rode as clouds flew past
I relentlessly pursued my goal, undistracted by distractions around me.
With six white horses all lathered and fast
I was fully committed to accomplishing what I had set out to do, and nothing could prevent me from doing so.
My scars and marks have now worn smooth
After all of my hard work, any mistakes or negative aspects of the process have faded away.
For I am this arrow and it came for you
The ultimate reward of my hard work is delivering the fruits of my labor to the one I care about, as if they were the intended target all along.
Contributed by Parker V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.