Kina started playing shows at the age of four in front of her stuffed animals. Now she plays in front of people, though it wasn’t the quickest transition for the admittedly shy songstress. While attending college at USC, Kina often retreated to the secluded stairwells around campus where she could write and sing without being heard. Protected by their quiet confines, she found a safe haven and a creative outlet for her music. Armed with a guitar and a cup of tea, Kina wrote in every stairwell she came across. And it was within these stairwells that she developed her confidence as a songwriter and her poise as a performer.
In 2007, Kina joined YouTube, made a music video and entered herself into a contest. A few months later, her video for “Message From Your Heart” aired during the Superbowl and its 97 million viewers (or 194 million eyeballs, depending on how you’re keeping track) and she walked away with a record deal. Since then, Kina has regularly posted her songs on YouTube, amassing many millions of views, and toured throughout North America. Her songs have been heard on television shows such as ABC’s General Hospital and MTV’s College Life.
Timshel
Kina Grannis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It freezes your already cold mind
already cold, cold mind
Death is at your doorstep
It will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance
You are not alone in this
You are not alone in this
and we will hold your hand, hold your hand
You are the mother
The mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
The opening lines of Kina Grannis's "Timshel" creates a bleak image; "Cold is the water, it freezes your already cold mind, already cold, cold mind." Kina's words teeter on existentialism, opening with a thought-provoking message that aims to make the listener question the reality around them, to question their own mental state, and to ponder the objects, experiences, and ideas that seem to hold them back. Perhaps, in this world that Kina writes for, everything that exists and evokes our emotions is already cold or transient, and we, too, are inherently cold in the way that we've seen the patterns of life repeating over and over, ultimately leading to the same end, death.
The chorus, however, gives a stark contrast to the gloom of the opening stanza. Kina writes about community, sacrifice, and holding each other up. She presents the idea of death in a positive light, as an entity that can't take away your true essence but rather your innocence. The lyrics, "You are not alone in this, as brothers we will stand, and we will hold your hand, hold your hand" are incredibly powerful; it tells the listener that solidarity and human connections make it possible for an individual to endure hardships that we all face in life.
Overall, "Timshel" is a poignant message that encourages people to have hope, to realize that they are not alone or vacant in this life, and to understand that death, though painful, cannot rob our substance or character.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold is the water
The situation is difficult and unwelcoming
It freezes your already cold mind
The situation makes your thoughts and emotions more negative
Death is at your doorstep
Death is a possibility that is close at hand
It will steal your innocence
Death will take away your purity and naivety
But it will not steal your substance
Death cannot take away who you truly are
You are not alone in this
There are others who share your struggles
As brothers we will stand
We will support each other like family
and we will hold your hand, hold your hand
We will physically and emotionally support you
You are the mother
You have the responsibility and love for your child
The mother of your baby child
You gave birth and have a special bond with your child
The one to whom you gave life
You have a significant role in your child's existence
Contributed by Kylie H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ConnahWhaley
God Almighty this is the most moving cover of the song I have ever heard. It seriously brought me to tears. The song in itself is a masterpiece, and normally I despise any sort of cover of it, but you MADE the song. The harmonies were the most beautiful sound I could possibly fathom. You are a talented family, and you are all fantastic, beautiful, and inspiring. Never stop doing what you are doing, it would be a shame if you did.
Adam Lee
This is perfect! You guys are not only amazing together, but the song and arrangement are both so beautiful! Once again, an unrivalled performance from the reigning Queen of YouTube's best music! God bless you, Kina!
Tim Chantarangsu
ooooooooh kiiiiinnnaaaaaaaaa you and your sisters are my favorite!
James Banks
Fantastic song. I never thought I would ever say anyone was better than Mumford & Son's.....but you made this song your own! Amazing cover. Love it!
Aaron Gash
i get the chills every time. i'm so glad you chose one of the most underrated songs on the album. the harmonies are SO tight (both cool and very close together). love this. LOVE IT
Andy Schneider
Well done!! I was not expecting that. Your voices are all so pure and peaceful. Beautiful!
ratckevj
There is nothing more perfect and melodic than voices of family blended. Simply beautiful
joyzaphinemusic
Wow, your voices blend in such a breathtaking manner. Gorgeous cover!
patrickyo21
MUMFORD AND SONS <3 thank you so much for this. they're my favorite band right now, and this was a beautiful rendition.
ciecie Anne
tingles, many tingles, your voices are beautiful together. You Kina are the very definition of genuine. i love what you stand for and your honesty. shines through your music. Your sisters are beautiful, fantastic beard too! <3 <3 great great cover xxxxx