The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
I'll Fly Away
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away
Some bright morning when this life is over, I'll fly away
To a land on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away
When the shadows of this life have grown, I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls, I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away
Oh how glad and happy when we meet, I'll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet, I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away
To a land where joy will never end, I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away
When I die, hallellujah by and by, I'll fly away
Jars of Clay's song "Fly" is a beautiful interpretation of the traditional gospel hymn "I'll Fly Away." The song is about the hope and anticipation of leaving this life on earth and flying away to heaven. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the singer's desire to fly away to a better place. The second verse describes the singer's longing for a celestial shore, which is a reference to heaven. The third verse compares the singer's desire to fly away from this life to that of a bird escaping a prison cell.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer will fly away when they die and will do so with glory. The fourth verse describes the joy and freedom that the singer will experience when reunited with loved ones who have passed away. The fifth verse depicts the singer's anticipation of being free from the "cold iron shackles" of life on earth. Finally, the sixth verse expresses the hope and belief that there is a land where joy will never end, and that the singer will fly away to it.
Overall, "Fly" is a moving and heartfelt rendition of a classic gospel song. It conveys a deep sense of hope, faith, and longing for something better beyond this life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll fly away, oh glory, I'll fly away
I will leave this life behind and ascend to a better place
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away
Once I pass on from this life, I will depart to a more virtuous realm
Some bright morning when this life is over, I'll fly away
On a promising day, after my time on earth is through, I will take off to a better place
To a land on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away
I will depart to a divine shore, ruled by a higher power
When the shadows of this life have grown, I'll fly away
As darkness accumulates in this life, I will escape to a brighter dimension
Like a bird from these prison walls, I'll fly away
I will break free from my bonds and flee, like a bird soaring from a cell
Oh how glad and happy when we meet, I'll fly away
I will rejoice greatly when I am reunited with loved ones and fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet, I'll fly away
I will not be shackled by hardships anymore when I depart to a better place
Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away
Only a brief amount of time left, and then I will jet off to a tranquil universe
To a land where joy will never end, I'll fly away
I will go to a place of limitless bliss where happiness persists eternally
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Gary Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind