In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Leave Us Alone
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The dogs of hell within unborn
And like a ghost without an atmosphere
His voice sang without a song
Singing to the ships as the foghorns blow
Shipping light where darkness hides
The night was blind but it did see him go
Go away
Leave us alone
We don't know ya
Who you are
So far
From home
He stands before them as they judge his life
His shadow reaching underneath
He will fight he will reveal his knife
They will question his belief
They will shatter all his teeth
Blood from his mouth in darkness he can see
His suicide his love reborn
And hangin' from a noose in secrecy
His mind and spirit will divorce
Go away
Leave us alone
We don't know ya
Who you are
So far
From home
The lyrics of Joseph Arthur's song Leave Us Alone reveal a story of a man who has been cut and has lost his fear. Despite the dogs of hell within unborn, the man sings without a song and his voice echoes through the foghorns that blow and draws attention to the light that he brings in the darkness. The man is alone and unknown, and he doesn't want anyone to disturb him or invade his solitude. He is driven to fight for his beliefs and reveal what he truly stands for. When they try to silence him and question his belief, he fights back and stands his ground.
The man in the song is a symbol of hope and courage. He is not afraid to stand alone against the world and does so with conviction. He is a warrior for the light that shines even in the darkness. Despite the hardships and pain that he may have to face, he is ready to fight back and give his everything for what he believes.
Line by Line Meaning
He was cut and then there was no fear
Despite being wounded, he didn't fear the consequences of his actions.
The dogs of hell within unborn
He carried within him the potential for evil and destruction.
And like a ghost without an atmosphere
He felt empty and detached, like a ghost without a physical world to belong to.
His voice sang without a song
He spoke and made noise, but he lacked purpose or direction.
Singing to the ships as the foghorns blow
He was lost and alone, calling out to others through the darkness.
Shipping light where darkness hides
Despite the darkness and despair around him, he sought to bring hope and light to others.
The night was blind but it did see him go
Even in the darkness, he could leave and move on to something new.
For in this dark his light survives
Even though he was surrounded by darkness, he held onto a glimmer of hope and positivity.
Go away
He wanted to be left alone and not bothered by others.
Leave us alone
He begged to be left alone, without interference or judgment.
We don't know ya
He felt like a stranger, unknown and unacknowledged by others.
Who you are
He wanted to know his identity and purpose, but he was still searching.
So far
He was distant and removed from others, both physically and emotionally.
From home
He felt lost and disconnected from any sense of home or belonging.
He stands before them as they judge his life
He faces judgment from others, who question the path he's taken.
His shadow reaching underneath
His past and darker side haunt him, lurking beneath the surface.
He will fight he will reveal his knife
He will battle against his demons and express his pain through destructive means.
They will question his belief
Others will challenge and doubt his values and principles.
They will shatter all his teeth
Others will inflict harm and damage onto him, in both physical and emotional forms.
Blood from his mouth in darkness he can see
Through the pain and suffering, he still has a sense of clarity and insight into his own situation.
His suicide his love reborn
His self-destructive tendencies are a form of rebirth and expression of love, rather than hate.
And hangin' from a noose in secrecy
He feels isolated and alone in his pain, unable to share or express it openly.
His mind and spirit will divorce
His mind and soul will separate, no longer connected or working in tandem.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LYBURN ARTHUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mike w ever
this and the early stuff he did w the jam man is he best stuff - love it
Jaysthename
An interesting reinvention of this song, although it would be difficult to top the elegiac original.