With themes related to the pacific northwest, Gibson writes songs on a nylon-stringed guitar. In November 2004, she self-released an EP, Amends, produced and engineered by Drew Grow, on a laptop, in a house in Newberg, Oregon. Following this initial release, Laura released her debut full-length in November, 2006 titled If You Come to Greet Me on Hush Records. Engineered by Adam Selzer (Norfolk and Western, M. Ward, The Decemberists) and recorded completely on analog tape, songs on If You Come to Greet Me vary from pieces composed with bare-bones guitar and voice, to an orchestra of trumpets, piano, vibraphone, saw, violin, cello, banjo and found sounds. Songs have described as, "haunting portraits of nostalgia and intimacy, of loneliness and wide-eyed hope".
The La Grande Songfacts reports that Laura Gibson's fifth album is titled after La Grande, a small town situated in the forests of the Pacific Northwest where she parked her trailer and wrote and recorded the ten tracks that make up the record. It was released in January 2012.
Gibson's latest album Empire Builder was released April 1st, 2016 on Barsuk Records / City Slang.
Glory
Laura Gibson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Laced in prayer
Frail as birds
Face she carried
Like a terrible, terrible ache
I have never seen
Such glory since
Dressed in anger
Swollen with grace
My surrender and his forgiveness
I have never seen
Such glory since
I remember my sister′s belly
White and swollen
Carefully swaying
Eyes were glowing
From carrying such grace
I have never seen
Such glory since
In these poignant and reflective lyrics, Laura Gibson elegantly articulates memories of her family members in a way that captures both their fragility and their resilience. The opening lines focus on her mother's hands, which are described as "Laced in prayer" and as delicate as birds. This portrayal evokes a sense of vulnerability and spirituality, suggesting a deep connection to faith and a visual representation of strength in times of adversity. The image of her mother's face being carried like a burden further emphasizes the weight of her experiences, hinting at a past filled with pain and challenges that have shaped her character. The recurring statement that she has never seen such glory since implies that this memory holds a profound sense of beauty and significance that remains unmatched in her present experiences.
The lyrics then shift to her father, with his voice depicted as "Dressed in anger" yet also "Swollen with grace." This juxtaposition of emotions suggests a complexity in his demeanor, where his expressions of frustration and indignation are tempered by an underlying sense of compassion and benevolence. The mention of "My surrender and his forgiveness" alludes to a dynamic of conflict and reconciliation within their relationship, portraying a narrative of understanding and forgiveness that transcends moments of discord. The assertion that she has never seen such glory since encapsulates a nostalgic longing for a time when profound emotions and connections were more palpable, hinting at a yearning for a restoration of those sentiments in her current reality.
The lyrics then turn to her sister's pregnancy, symbolized by her "White and swollen" belly symbolizing new life and potential. The careful description of her sister's gentle movements and radiant eyes conveys a sense of awe and wonder at the transformative experience of motherhood. The reference to her sister's eyes "glowing from carrying such grace" evokes a sense of reverence and admiration for the profound journey of nurturing new life within her. The repeated refrain that she has never seen such glory since suggests a recognition of the profound beauty and significance inherent in the creation of life and the bonds of family that endure and evolve through generations.
Overall, these lyrics paint a vivid portrait of familial relationships marked by tenderness, conflict, forgiveness, and growth. Through a series of intimate glimpses into her past, Laura Gibson captures the essence of human experience as a tapestry of emotions, memories, and connections that shape who we are. The evocative language and imagery used in these verses invite listeners to reflect on their own relationships and the enduring impact of family bonds, underscoring the intrinsic value of love, understanding, and shared experiences that enrich our lives and define our sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember my mother’s hands
I recall the gentle touch of my mother's hands
Laced in prayer
Intertwined in devotion
Frail as birds
Delicate like birds
Face she carried
The burden she bore
Like a terrible, terrible ache
Similar to an unbearable pain
I have never seen such glory since
I have not witnessed such beauty thereafter
I remember my father's voice
I recall the sound of my father's voice
Dressed in anger
Cloaked in fury
Swollen with grace
Filled with forgiveness
My surrender and his forgiveness
My acceptance and his pardon
I have never seen such glory since
I have not witnessed such beauty thereafter
I remember my sister’s belly
I recall my sister's pregnant belly
White and swollen
Pale and expanded
Carefully swaying
Gently moving
Eyes were glowing
Filled with radiance
From carrying such grace
Due to bearing such a gift
I have never seen such glory since
I have not witnessed such beauty thereafter
Writer(s): Tyler Lee Bates
Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dolphindrumming
I can almost hear a crackling fire in the background. What a breathtaking, life-affirming, soulful song, with such heartfelt lyrics delivered in pure sweetness of sound!
4shanksful
what a rare gem! i am thankful to have found this today...
LayyZ StarR
Love you and your sweet voice Luara Gibson....
LayyZ StarR
or Laura, =) DOH!
LayyZ StarR
won't let me like it every time I listen =)
LayyZ StarR
still won't let me like each time I listen.......broken internet =)