Critics agreed that the phrase "on the verge" was never more poignant than … Read Full Bio ↴Critics agreed that the phrase "on the verge" was never more poignant than when listening to a track from Juniper Lane's Sirens From a Mile Back. In a tragic twist of fate, less than a year after Sirens was released to rave reviews and fan acclaim, singer Vivion Smith was involved in a nearly fatal rock-climbing accident. Juniper Lane's career came to a sudden halt despite the press attention, industry interest, and commercial radio spins Sirens was commanding.

After spending a week in a coma, Smith left the hospital to begin the arduous tasks of regaining her memory, rehabilitating her pianist hand, and rebuilding her life. A year later, Juniper Lane reconnected to explore the possibility of their own recovery and found that the drive and dynamic they once possessed was unchanged. It soon became apparent that instead of picking up where they left off, Juniper Lane was back as an even more inspired and motivated version of themselves.

Juniper Lane has mastered that which eludes so many musical acts: the ability to produce a diverse range of well-crafted songs while putting forth an unmistakably signature sound. With the recent national commercial success of bands that straddle the line between indie and mainstream rock (Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol), it seems the music industry has finally caught up to Juniper Lane.

Upon returning to the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore music scenes, the band's impressive live show was met with sold-out crowds and fans soon started clamoring for a new album. The band's latest project is the record Wake From Yourself, throughout which Smith delves into the complications of rediscovering one's direction when faced with life-altering experiences: whether they be falling in love, breaking away from a painful past, or even coming out of a coma. Wake From Yourself is clearly the work of an enormously talented quartet.

The band added a fifth member (John Athayde) in June of 2008, and then opened for Coldplay at the Verizon Center in Washington DC on August 3, 2008. They are currently working on a new album with Ted Comerford and four of the songs have been mixed by Michael Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer, Mute Math). Will Champion of Coldplay recommended the band to Michael (http://twitter.com/mhb850/status/1226881936).

Juniper Lane has toured extensively on the East Coast, including shows at colleges, clubs, and venues such as the 9:30 Club, Recher Theatre, and DC's 99.1 WHFStival, as well as performing in-studio for commercial radio and on live television. The band's incredible song-writing has afforded them the opportunity to work with such industry professionals as producer Ted Comerford (Zox, Army of Me), Joe Zook (Remy Zero, Liz Phair, Anna Nalick), Paul David Hager (American Hi-Fi, Hoobastank, Tracey Bonham), and Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Wilco, Suzanne Vega).

Grace
Juniper Lane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rages pass me, quiet grabs me,
like a child's gentle hand,
colors fill me, creases smooth now,
like an artist's careful plan.
Sand to soil and rock ot seed now
clawing from its earthly cage,
burst the tomb and pierce the air
for grace is finally born of rage.

The air is still, and I will not falter.
The air is sweet, and I will not hide.
The air is full, and I will not wilt.
The air is warm, and I will not wither now.

THe peace deferred now overtakes
and turns it all from grey to rose,
bank the fire and sound the horn
finally all of my color shows.
I am growing from the vines,
I have risen from the thorns,
I'm taking stock of what I've gained
for finally I am reborn.

I will not slumber now,
I will not waste away,
I will not hide myself
in shadows of a brighter day.
I will not waiver now,
I will not flit away,

I will not bloom and die
the dawn before the bright of day.

Overall Meaning

The song "Grace" by Juniper Lane has a message of hope and renewal. The lyrics describe a process of transformation from struggle and pain to peace and growth. The first verse speaks of the release of anger and the arrival of calm, like the gentle touch of a child or the careful stroke of an artist's brush. The imagery is vivid, with references to sand, soil, rocks, and seeds. The idea is that something raw and earthbound is struggling to free itself and rise up, bursting forth from its "earthly cage" with a newfound sense of grace.

The second verse emphasizes the power of this transformation. The air is still, sweet, full, and warm, echoing a sense of serenity and strength. The singer speaks confidently of not faltering, hiding, wilting, or withering. The colors of life burst forth, as if in a burst of sunlight breaking through a storm cloud. The transformation is not just external but also internal, with the singer growing from vines and rising from thorns. The final lines speak to a sense of purpose and determination, refusing to sleep, waste away, hide, flit, or bloom and die prematurely.

Overall, "Grace" is a song that speaks to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for growth. It captures the struggle and pain that many of us experience in life but also emphasizes the possibility of change and renewal.

Line by Line Meaning

Rages pass me, quiet grabs me,
The storm of anger and frustration subsides, replaced by a peaceful silence.

like a child's gentle hand,
The stillness is as comforting as the touch of a caring kid.

colors fill me, creases smooth now,
The world seems vibrant and lively, giving way to a sense of calmness with the elimination of wrinkles and faults.

like an artist's careful plan.
As if everything is coming into place with a calculated, creative design.

Sand to soil and rock ot seed now
Nature's elements combine to create new life.

clawing from its earthly cage,
With a determined effort and struggle, a breakthrough from confinement is made.

burst the tomb and pierce the air
The freedom is complete, and the fresh start is announced to the world.

for grace is finally born of rage.
The anger was ultimately the catalyst for the profound inner transformation.

The air is still, and I will not falter.
The tranquility is comforting and reassuring, and it won't disrupt the inner peace and resolve.

The air is sweet, and I will not hide.
The sweetness of the atmosphere is a reminder of the beauty of life and it becomes a motivation to face any situation with courage.

The air is full, and I will not wilt.
The fullness of life and opportunities make it all the more essential to not give up even when the going gets tough.

The air is warm, and I will not wither now.
The growing confidence and self-assurance prevent any sort of setbacks affecting the determination and enthusiasm for life.

THe peace deferred now overtakes
The long-awaited inner calmness and stillness finally replaces the noise and chaos.

and turns it all from grey to rose,
Everything transforms and evolved, taking on a new, positive outlook in life.

bank the fire and sound the horn
The signals of change are evident, and it's time to celebrate.

finally all of my color shows.
The diversity and richness in personality are unleashed, free for the world to see.

I am growing from the vines,
Personal growth and development is happening, and it's resulting in a fruitful outcome.

I have risen from the thorns,
The obstacles and difficulties have been overcome, and a sense of achievement and pride ensues.

I'm taking stock of what I've gained
A time for reflection on the new, positive developments and transformations that have occurred.

for finally I am reborn.
The transformative process of evolving and growing has resulted in a new version or chapter of oneself.

I will not slumber now,
There is no time for complacency, and the determination to make the most of life becomes unwavering.

I will not waste away,
The renewed sense of purpose and drive prevents the mind and body from deteriorating or deteriorating progress.

I will not hide myself
There will be no more living in the shadows or fear, but instead in full sight of the world.

in shadows of a brighter day.
The future is bright and full of opportunities, but it won't hide behind any more obstacles or difficulties.

I will not waiver now,
The confidence and self-assurance prevent any form of hesitation or indecisiveness.

I will not flit away,
There will be no more fleeting or inconsistent behavior, but instead, a deep sense of commitment and dedication.

I will not bloom and die
There will be no more temporary spurts of growth or success, but instead, true, continual growth and development.

the dawn before the bright of day.
The hardships and obstacles are now behind, and the dawn of a new day will only bring more success and opportunities.

Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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