The line-up originally included drummer Jen Sholakis, bassist “Lord” Geoffrey Dunbar, guitarist Michael Hubbard, pianist Ross Calia and violinist Andrea Summer. Dead Wood Falls' second single, “Better Off Dancing,” found itself in high rotation on Triple J; while Cloher herself was nominated for Best Female Artist at the 2006 ARIA Music Awards. Hidden Hands was inspired by Cloher’s loss of her mother through Alzheimer’s and garnered great critical acclaim. Calia and Summer were replaced by Laura Jean and Biddy Connor, respectively; while also adding guitarist Tom Healy to the line-up.
The Endless Sea ultimately disintegrated in 2011. Hubbard now plays with Eagle and the Worm; while Cloher, Conner and Jean have all turned to/resumed their solo work. Sholakis continues to work with Cloher and play in her live backing band, as well as her own band East Brunswick All Girls Choir.
Carol
Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pale of sunshine like a leak in the sky
Took us to Pennsylvania
Open road
Where we laughed and we smoked
Your grey eyes where I rest my hope
Hell I'd do anything for you
But can I love you from a distance?
Can I love you from afar?
Every state has a Waterloo
Hotel room to remind me of you
Terrifying pleasure
We drank rye
You got drunk and you cried
‘My angel flung out of space so high!'
But we know I can't save you
So can I love you from a distance?
Can I love you from afar?
'Cause the price of salt is costly
I don't know what I can afford.
Yeah, the price of salt is costly
I don't know what I can afford.
The song "Carol" by Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea is a melancholic ballad about the difficulty of love from a distance. The song starts with the singer and their lover leaving New York State and moving to Pennsylvania in search of a better life. However, the singer is tormented by their desire for their lover, but the physical distance that separates them. The chorus, "Can I love you from a distance? Can I love you from afar?" encapsulates the theme of the song, which is love tested and distorted by distance.
As the song progresses, the singer recounts their experiences traveling through different states and staying in various hotel rooms. The singer's lover, presumably struggling with personal demons, gets drunk and cries, which leads to a heartbreaking moment where they exclaim, "My angel flung out of space so high!" This statement highlights the seemingly impossible nature of their love, which is hindered by distance, as well as emotional turmoil.
The final lines of the song, "‘Cause the price of salt is costly. I don't know what I can afford. Yeah, the price of salt is costly. I don't know what I can afford." emphasizes the high price of the singer's desire, both emotionally and financially. The metaphorical use of the phrase "price of salt" refers to the costliness of something that is essential.
Overall, "Carol" is a poignant reflection on the realities of love and relationships that are challenged by distance and other obstacles. The song captures the heartbreak and emotional turmoil often associated with long-distance love, and the difficulties of navigating relationships in adverse circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Headed out of New York State
Starting a journey from New York State
Pale of sunshine like a leak in the sky
A faint ray of sunshine penetrates through the cloudy sky
Took us to Pennsylvania
Ended up in Pennsylvania
Open road
A journey on an unobstructed path
Where we laughed and we smoked
Having fun and enjoying cigarettes together
Your grey eyes where I rest my hope
Depositing hope upon gazing into your grey eyes
Hell I'd do anything for you
I am willing to do anything for you
But can I love you from a distance?
Is it possible for me to love you even from afar?
Can I love you from afar?
Is it possible for me to love you even from far away?
Every state has a Waterloo
Every state has a challenging moment or obstacle
Hotel room to remind me of you
Staying in a hotel room that triggers memories of you
Terrifying pleasure
A sense of fearful excitement
We drank rye
We drank alcoholic drinks made from rye
You got drunk and you cried
You became intoxicated and wept
‘My angel flung out of space so high!'
Exclaimed that you are my dear angel who has been expelled from the heavenly realm
But we know I can't save you
Realizing that I cannot rescue or assist you
So can I love you from a distance?
Is it possible for me to love you even from afar?
Can I love you from afar?
Is it possible for me to love you even from far away?
'Cause the price of salt is costly
Metaphorically referring to the high price of love
I don't know what I can afford.
I am uncertain of what I am capable of offering
Yeah, the price of salt is costly
The cost of love is quite high
I don't know what I can afford.
I am unsure of what resources I can invest in our relationship
Contributed by Christopher A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.