Veirs was raised in Colorado, studied geology and Mandarin Chinese at Carleton College, worked as a translator for a geological expedition in China, and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Veirs has said that she didn't seriously listen to music until she was in her 20s; instead, she just heard what was in her environment. She listened to folk / country / classical / pop, around the house & on the radio, during her youth.
Attending Carleton College in rural Minnesota, Veirs latched onto feminist punk rock from the Pacific Northwest, eventually starting an all-female punk band called "Rair Kx!". Veirs studied geology and Mandarin Chinese. After college, she embraced older country and folk music. Her first foray into songwriting started with a geological expedition in China, where she served as translator. She was miserable and immersed herself into writing lyrics as a way of coping.
She put out her own self-titled album Laura Veirs, recorded live and featuring just her and guitar, in 1999. She has since made five highly acclaimed records with producer Tucker Martine. 2003 saw the release of Troubled by the Fire, a full-band effort that found the artist sharing the studio with such luminaries as Bill Frisell and violist Eyvind Kang. She signed to Nonesuch Records the following year with the atmospheric follow-up Carbon Glacier. Year of Meteors followed in August of 2005. She collaborated with The Decemberists on "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)", from their 2006 album The Crane Wife. Her sixth record, Saltbreakers, was released worldwide on Nonesuch Records in April 2007. Her seventh album July Flame was released in January 2010.
In November 2011, Veirs released the album Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs For Children. The album presents mostly traditional songs, and features an array of guest musicians, including Colin Meloy, Jim James, and Bela Fleck. The album won a Parents' Choice Award in 2012.
In September 2012 her first feature film soundtrack was released: Hello I Must Be Going.
Veirs tours frequently in Europe, the US and Australia both solo and with her backing band Saltbreakers, consisting of Karl Blau on bass, guitar, and backing vocals, keyboardist Steve Moore, and Tucker Martine on drums.
Sun Song
Laura Veirs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been several months since I saw that much blue
Water a-rushing in the banks
Freed from the ice it has the...
We've got the sun, the sun to thank...
Matches inside your golden hair
Catch all the light I'd fight to the death I swear
Stalked by winter, solace in a small warm hand
Early morning riser to the east
Shadows fall behind me shiner never sleep
'Til that day I'll bask in everything
That you paint the arrows and the wheat
We've got the sun, the sun to thank...
Matches inside your golden hair
Catch all the light I'd fight to the death I swear
As all the other mothers would, the land
Stalked by winter, solace in a small warm hand
The song "Sun Song" by Laura Veirs is an ode to nature and the sun, and the hope it brings. The lyrics begin with the first rays of sunlight breaking through after several months of gray skies and frozen rivers, symbolizing the relief and hope that come with the new day. The water is described as rushing in the banks, freed from the ice, representing the new life and energy that spring brings.
The chorus repeats the line "We've got the sun, the sun to thank..." which emphasizes the gratitude for the sun and the hope it brings after a long winter. The second verse continues the theme of nature, with the image of matches inside golden hair, representing the warmth and light of the sun. The singer swears to fight to preserve this light and warmth, as other mothers would, suggesting an altruistic bond between all human beings and a shared responsibility for the planet.
The final verse emphasizes the role of the sun in daily life, as an early morning riser to the east, and symbolizes the hope that comes with each new day. The singer expresses their willingness to bask in everything, including the arrows and wheat that are painted by the sun. Overall, the song "Sun Song" is a beautiful tribute to the power of nature and the hope that comes with each new day.
Line by Line Meaning
First rays of light are coming through
The sun is finally rising after a long period of darkness.
Been several months since I saw that much blue
It has been a while since she has seen blue skies and clear water.
Water a-rushing in the banks
The water is flowing fast and forcefully in the riverbanks.
Freed from the ice it has the...
The water is no longer frozen and is now able to move freely.
We've got the sun, the sun to thank...
She is grateful for the warmth and light that the sun brings.
Matches inside your golden hair
The sunlight catches her friend's golden hair.
Catch all the light I'd fight to the death I swear
She values the sunlight so much that she would fight for it.
As all the other mothers would, the land
Other mothers value the land and its resources like she does.
Stalked by winter, solace in a small warm hand
Despite the cold, she finds comfort in the touch of a loved one.
Early morning riser to the east
She wakes up early to greet the sunrise in the east.
Shadows fall behind me shiner never sleep
As she moves towards the sun, shadows form behind her and the sun never sleeps.
'Til that day I'll bask in everything
She intends to enjoy every minute until her time in the sun is over.
That you paint the arrows and the wheat
She appreciates the beauty of nature and how it is expressed through the plants and other living things in the environment.
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ahmed Nk
First rays of light are coming through
Been several months since I saw that much blue
Water a-rushing in the banks
Freed from the ice
It has the sun, the sun to thank
It has the sun, the sun to thank
Matches inside your golden hair
Catch all the light I'd fight to the death, I swear
As all the other mothers would, the land
Stalked by winter, solace in a small warm hand
We've got the sun, the sun to thank
We've got the sun, the sun to thank
Early morning riser to the east
Shadows fall behind me, shiner never sleep
'Til that day I'll bask in everything
That you paint, the arrows and the wheat
Sun, the sun to thank
We've got the sun, the sun to thank
We've got the sun, the sun to thank
We've got the sun, the sun to thank
Judith L Alaniz
Its such a a shame that not alot of people know about Laura Veirs. Shes so talented. She deserves more. She should perform at the music awards or something.
George Cairnie
Why share . That just spoils it all . Just be thank full
subsamadhi
@George Cairnie ikr. Shes an underground gem. That's cool. Why ruin it?
Vegan Store
I know her since i love the trio Case Lang and Veirs ❤
High Treestess
Just found her. She's great!
High Treestess
Appreciate those in your pocket moments before the fame. Try to catch her live now at a small venue before she goes big amphitheater. 🌞🙏🏼
kevin wright
One of the best artists of our day.
Jess Hernandez - Your Book Witch
Listening to your songs is like traveling through time. Your music is a blessing.
Brounwyn Smith
Beautiful, I almost wanna cry.
Nandi Staton
This song takes me back to my early 20’s, me and my Husky pup taking long drives in the country during the summer. Laura’s music holds so many special places in my heart and memories. ❤️