Following The Story's breakup, Kimball released her first solo album, the critically acclaimed Veering from the Wave (Imaginary Road/PolyGram), in 1998. She followed this with a 2006 release Oh Hear Us (Epoisse).
Kimball performs regularly with several Boston-based bands including Wayfaring Strangers, Family Affair, and Maybe Baby, a quartet she fronts with her husband Ry Cavanaugh. She is in high demand as a vocalist and has performed on more than 60 releases by Catie Curtis, Jabe Beyer, Kris Delmhorst, Peter Mulvey, Ellis Paul, Lucy Kaplansky, Lori McKenna and Patty Larkin.
Veering From The Wave
Jennifer Kimball Lyrics
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As a plumb line's true in the ocean of my sleep.
True is love when your heart takes aim.
In the silent depth nothing ever stays the same
So I left you here.
And I feel so alone,
When the storms roll in and they make me lose my place.
Slow and black I watch them creep across your face.
So you left me here.
You will drink to the midnight,
Veering from the wave to the fury.
What you said to me then is what I say to you now -
Take it easy my friend, but take it somehow.
There's something between us I won't let it go.
Less than nothing, more than the universe can hold.
(You said, understand, we are blacker than sun -
But golden in the shadows, even coming undone).
You and I, we were meant to be.
Love and madness may run us out to sea.
So we'll leave them here
Beating East on a tangent
Veering from the wave to the fury.
In Jennifer Kimball's haunting ballad "Veering From The Wave," the singer-songwriter reflects on a profound and complicated relationship that has fallen apart. The opening lines suggest that Kimball and her former partner had a deep connection that transcended the ordinary love affair. However, as the song progresses, we understand that this connection was not enough to overcome the unique challenges of their relationship. The metaphor of a plumb line in the ocean symbolizes the difficulty of maintaining a true course when navigating the unpredictable depths of the human heart. The line "True is love when your heart takes aim" suggests that both partners had a clear sense of what they wanted from the relationship, but that they were ultimately unable to achieve it.
The chorus - "Veering from the wave to the fury" - speaks to the sense of chaos that defines the lovers' relationship. When the storms of passion and emotion rise up, they lose their bearings and are forced to steer away from each other. The second verse suggests that the relationship was marked by a kind of mutual betrayal. Both partners left each other at different times, struggling to make sense of the emotions that were pulling them in opposite directions. The repeated image of the "veering" boat emphasizes the sense of disorientation that accompanies the end of a once-steady relationship.
The final lines of the song - "There's something between us I won't let it go / Less than nothing, more than the universe can hold" - suggest that despite the pain and turmoil of separation, there is something valuable that Kimball and her former partner have shared. This sentiment is echoed in the bridge, where the singer recalls her partner telling her, "We are blacker than sun / But golden in the shadows / Even coming undone." These lyrics speak to the complexity and richness of human connection, even in the midst of sadness and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I, well we fell in deep
Our love was intense and deep-rooted
As a plumb line's true in the ocean of my sleep.
Our love was true, just like a plumb line that accurately measures depth in the vast ocean of my subconscious
True is love when your heart takes aim.
Love is true when your heart is fully committed to it
In the silent depth nothing ever stays the same
In the stillness of love, nothing remains static and everything has the potential to change
So I left you here.
I left you behind
And I feel so alone,
Leaving you has made me feel lonely and isolated
Veering from the wave to the fury.
Trying to navigate through my emotions, which range from calmness to raging anger
When the storms roll in and they make me lose my place.
During times of hardship and adversity, I feel lost and disoriented
Slow and black I watch them creep across your face.
I see the impact of these struggles reflected in your demeanor
So you left me here.
You abandoned me
You will drink to the midnight,
You will keep yourself awake into the wee hours of the night
Veering from the wave to the fury.
Trying to cope with intense emotions and reactions
What you said to me then is what I say to you now -
I am echoing your words back to you
Take it easy my friend, but take it somehow.
Stay calm and composed, but find a way to deal with the situation
There's something between us I won't let it go.
We have a connection that I refuse to let go of
Less than nothing, more than the universe can hold.
Our love is infinite and boundless
(You said, understand, we are blacker than sun -
You once said that we are complex and contradictory beings
But golden in the shadows, even coming undone).
But despite our faults, we have something special that shines through
You and I, we were meant to be.
Our love was fated and destined to happen
Love and madness may run us out to sea.
Our intense emotions may take us on a wild journey together
So we'll leave them here
We'll let go of our past struggles and move forward
Beating East on a tangent
Heading out in a new direction
Veering from the wave to the fury.
Navigating through turbulent emotions and reactions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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