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.
When I Was Lost
Jennifer Kimball Lyrics
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Trash wet with early morning rain
You do what you're told all day long
It's not your nature to complain
Santa Maria, it's me, Paulo
Calling from half a world away
Cash in the mail, how's my little Lucy
Just a little accent, just a little music
On the tip of her tongue, it sounds like rain
When I was lost you showed me kindness
Lit up the night with your smile (I hear it)
More radiant than sunshine, sweeter than diamonds
No jewel could shine this bright
This island knows no inconvenience
I am a country with no name
But your little light shines so bright up on my wall
Your face, my heart, in a rosewood frame.
Just a little accent, you've got just a little music
On the tip of your tongue, it sounds like rain
When I was lost you showed me kindness
Lit up this night with your smile (I hear it)
More radiant than sunshine, sweeter than diamonds
No jewel could shine so bright
Sunday morning I will walk on South Beach
And sing Joao Bosco songs for you
Four thousand miles away by sea
When I was lost you showed me kindness
Lit up this night with your smile (I hear it)
More radiant than sunshine, sweeter than diamonds
No jewel could shine so bright,
Shine so bright.
The lyrics of Jennifer Kimball's song "When I Was Lost" depict a person who seems to be working a menial job, entering through the service entrance at the back door, picking up trash that is wet from the morning rain. Despite this, they don't complain, and are diligent about doing what they're told. This character, who could be anyone, has someone they care about who lives far away, perhaps in Brazil, and they call to send money and send their love to a little girl named Lucy. There's a sense of longing and distance, but the character also feels grateful to the person they're speaking to.
The chorus seems to be addressed to the person they're calling, telling them that they've kept them grounded when they were lost, a light that cuts through the darkness of their solitude. There's a sense of admiration and respect for the person they're singing to, that they possess something special and powerful that can light up someone's life from across the world. The final verse has the character singing songs by a Brazilian musician on South Beach, perhaps hoping that this music will carry across the miles to the person they love.
Overall, the lyrics of the song paint a portrait of longing, perseverance, and gratitude, as well as a particular fondness for Brazilian music and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the service entrance at the back door
Enter through the back door meant for workers
Trash wet with early morning rain
The garbage is soaked due to rain earlier in the day
You do what you're told all day long
You obediently follow instructions all day
It's not your nature to complain
You're not the kind of person who complains
Santa Maria, it's me, Paulo
Paulo is calling from Santa Maria
Calling from half a world away
Paulo is calling from a distance of thousands of miles
Cash in the mail, how's my little Lucy
There is money enclosed in the mail and Paulo asks about Lucy's well-being
I miss you more than I can say
Paulo misses Lucy deeply
Just a little accent, just a little music
Jennifer has a slight accent and sings with a light, cheerful voice
On the tip of her tongue, it sounds like rain
Her voice is gentle and soothing, like the sound of rain
When I was lost you showed me kindness
Jennifer helped and comforted me when I was lost
Lit up the night with your smile (I hear it)
Jennifer's smile brought warmth and comfort to the dark, lonely night
More radiant than sunshine, sweeter than diamonds
Jennifer's smile is brighter than the sun and more precious than diamonds
No jewel could shine this bright
Even the most valuable jewel cannot compare to Jennifer's radiant smile
This island knows no inconvenience
Jennifer is on an island where life is simple and there are fewer troubles
I am a country with no name
There is no specific name for the place Jennifer is currently in
But your little light shines so bright up on my wall
Jennifer's picture on the wall brings joy and light to the room
Your face, my heart, in a rosewood frame.
Jennifer's picture is special to me and is displayed in a beautiful rosewood frame
Sunday morning I will walk on South Beach
Jennifer plans to take a walk on South Beach on Sunday morning
And sing Joao Bosco songs for you
Jennifer will sing songs by Joao Bosco as a dedication to someone special
Four thousand miles away by sea
The person Jennifer is singing for is far away, over four thousand miles across the sea
Shine so bright.
Jennifer's smile shines as bright as a star, bringing light to the darkness
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind