Grant performed as a musician for a time in her early teens, but stopped due to a bout of stage fright, and did not return to performing until her early 20s when she played some shows with Heavy Blinkers. She then released an independent EP, Jenn Grant and Goodbye Twentieth Century, in 2005.
She collaborated on her debut album, Orchestra for the Moon, with such artists as Ron Sexsmith, Heavy Blinkers, Matt Mays and Jill Barber, and later toured Germany and Canada in support of the album, including as an opening act for The Weakerthans.
She later began recording her second album, Echoes, on a farm in rural Ontario in 2008. The album was produced by Jonathan Goldsmith and engineered by Walter Sobczak at The Studio at Puck's Farm. Her voice was also featured in the song "We Made a Pact" by Hey Rosetta on their 2008 album Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood). Echoes was released in 2009.
In 2010 and 2011, she collaborated with Buck 65 on several tracks, including "Paper Airplane", "Cold Steel Drum", "Days Go By" and a cover of Leonard Cohen/'s "Who By Fire", on his 20 Odd Years series of EPs. Late in 2010, she also released a four-song EP, Songs for Siigoun, which featured a cover of John Denver's "Annie's Song".
She released her third full-length album, Honeymoon Punch, in early 2011. Her fourth album, The Beautiful Wild, followed in 2012, and her fifth album, Compostela, was released on October 21, 2014.
She continues to paint, including designing some of her own album covers.
Parliament of Owls
Jenn Grant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the dark where the night things prowl
We were warm inside keeping our voices down
We talked late into the night
Got our feathers ruffled and started a fight
Nothing got decided and we broke off in the morning light
From the shadows and corners of your heart
And if you want the night alone to yourself
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
Things from home I can't find in the city
My father is tall, my mother is pretty
And I want you the same as I did back then
Grass is wet and the moon is high
A murder of crows up in the sky
And those ruffians chasing the field mice 'round
If you want to run away, run away
From the shadows and corners of your heart
And if you want the night alone to yourself
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
If you wanna shy away, shy away
From the shadows and corners of your heart
And if you want the night alone to yourself
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
If you want to run away, run away
From the shadows and corners of your heart
And if you want the night alone to yourself
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
The song "Parliament of Owls" by Jenn Grant is a beautiful and melancholic piece that speaks to the importance of finding solitude and getting in touch with our inner selves in order to escape the chaos and uncertainty of the outside world. The opening lines allude to the mysterious and unpredictable nature of the night, with the image of a parliament of owls evoking a sense of otherworldliness and enchantment. The singer, feeling safe and protected inside, engages in deep conversations with others, but this interaction ultimately leads to a sense of unrest and confusion, culminating in a futile argument that accomplishes nothing.
The chorus then provides a powerful message of self-discovery and the need to find one's own path, independent of outside influences. The lyrics speak to the desire to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and re-discover the simple pleasures of home and childhood. The final lines of the song suggest that sometimes, the chaos and danger of the outside world can be too much to handle, and retreating into oneself is the only way to find peace and tranquility.
Overall, "Parliament of Owls" is a poignant and introspective song that encourages listeners to embrace their innermost selves and find comfort in solitude, even amidst the chaos of the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a parliament of owls
A group of owls convened in the darkness of night
In the dark where the night things prowl
The location of the meeting was in a place where creatures roam in the darkness
We were warm inside keeping our voices down
The meeting was conducted in secrecy, with participants keeping their voices low to avoid detection
We talked late into the night
The discussion went on for an extended period of time, into the late hours of the night
Got our feathers ruffled and started a fight
The debate became heated and members became emotionally agitated
Nothing got decided and we broke off in the morning light
Despite the lengthy discussion, no clear resolution was reached, and the assembly disbanded as the sun rose
If you want to run away, run away
If you desire to escape from your troubles or fears, then do so
From the shadows and corners of your heart
The sources of these fears or troubles lie within the hidden depths of your psyche
And if you want the night alone to yourself
If you desire solitude during the night
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
Dim lights or altogether extinguish them and avoid places where evil may lurk
Things from home I can't find in the city
The singer struggles to find certain comforts or familiarities in the urban environment
My father is tall, my mother is pretty
The artist fondly recalls the physical appearance of their parents
And I want you the same as I did back then
The singer desires their loved one to remain the same as when they first met
Grass is wet and the moon is high
The weather conditions include dew-covered grass and a high-positioned moon, indicating late evening or early morning
A murder of crows up in the sky
A flock of crows can be seen flying overhead
And those ruffians chasing the field mice 'round
Other animals, such as rodents, continue their daily activities despite the presence of other creatures in their environment
If you wanna shy away, shy away
If you feel compelled to retreat from a situation or interaction
And if you want the night alone to yourself
If you desire to be alone during the night
Turn the light out and keep out of the dark
Dim lights or extinguish them altogether, and avoid potentially dangerous areas
Contributed by Nicholas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.