Music has played an integral part in Shera’s life from the very beginning. The New York native grew up surrounded by an eclectic range of performers. When she was 13, her family relocated to northern California at the same time that she picked up the guitar.
Shera swiftly developed a reputation in the folk-indie world, joining the ranks of such artists as Jessica Lea May eld, Iron & Wine and Gillian Welch, and earning titles such as “Princess of Power” and “Folk music’s new royalty.”
In 2008, she studied at the renowned Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, where she expanded her knowledge of traditional folk music and honed her skills as a singer and a musician while adding ukulele and clawhammer banjo to her arsenal.
Her original songs and soulful voice combine to make a sound that is equal parts powerful and melancholy; she weaves her opulent sound together with the performances of various instruments, including the mandolin, violins, cello, banjo and more. Her personal experiences with grief and emotion translate e ortlessly into stunning musical arrangements, haunting melodies and honest lyrics.
“Every generation or two, a voice comes along that rede nes what you thought you knew about music and touches you deep down in your soul…” said Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead about Shera. “Her voice is going to de ne the next generation of folk music.”
Shera’s most recent project “Once I Was A Bird,” re-tells the stories of her hard-learned lessons with heartbreaking transparency, while imparting solace and wisdom to the listener. The album’s lush sounds and beautiful temperament are complimented with guest performances by Abigail Washburn, and Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses).
“It’s important to me that people are able to relate to [the album],” said Shera. “and take out of it a shared experience that everyone has been through in some form or another.”
Shera has shared the stage with such artists as Ray LaMontagne, Jason Mraz, Phil Lesh, Shawn Colvin, Billy Bragg, Nanci Gri th, Kristin Hersh, Joan Osborne and Abigail Washburn. She’s also making her mark on the festival circuit, making appearances at Bonnaroo, the High Sierra Music Festival, Sausalito Music and Arts Festival, Monterey Music Summit and South by Southwest. When she was 18-years-old she was also invited to perform at the Bob Dylan Tribute Concert at New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall.
Hell's Bells
Lauren Shera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been seeing in black and white
I've been tired and restless as a child
You know that my heart was always wild
I've been watching your face turn
when you're lying through the white of your teeth
Does it pain you the way it's pained me?
Oh hells bells
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
You've been running in slow motion
Defeated by your own success
You have burnt all the bridges that we built
and forgotten
How you truly were blessed
Oh hells bells
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
Was I a passing trend?
A fleeting sight on your speeding binge?
I knew you once as a friend
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
In Lauren Shera’s song “Hell’s Bells,” the lyrics delve into the pain and betrayal of a failed friendship or relationship. The opening stanza, “I’ve been dreaming in foreign languages, I’ve been seeing in black and white, I’ve been tired and restless as a child, you know that my heart was always wild,” sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is tired and worn out from a relationship that has left her feeling isolated, mistrustful, and ultimately betrayed. The singer is hyperaware at this point, recognizing the lies and deceit of the other person. “I’ve been watching your face turn, when you’re lying through the white of your teeth.” The other person’s lies weigh heavily on the singer’s soul, and she feels tainted by their action. “I am stained by the darkness of your deeds,” she sings. By using the line “Oh hells bells,” the singer emphasizes her frustration, anger and disappointment.
As the song progresses, the singer questions the depth of their past friendship or relationship, “Was I a passing trend? A fleeting sight on your speeding binge? I knew you once as a friend.” The singer realizes that the good memories of the past are clouded by the negative actions of the other person, and she comes to the conclusion that the relationship is over. “Don't you think I can tell, that you're nothing but an empty shell, and with the breaking day, I would not pause to fare you well. Fare you well.”
“Hell’s Bells” may feel hauntingly familiar to those who have experienced betrayal in their life, but the song also serves as a cathartic release, empowering the listener to move on from such negative situations.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been dreaming in foreign languages
I have been having vivid dreams in languages that are unfamiliar to me
I've been seeing in black and white
I am going through a period of time where everything feels dull and lifeless
I've been tired and restless as a child
I am feeling drained of energy and unable to find peace or calmness in my life
You know that my heart was always wild
Despite everything, I have always been passionate and adventurous in my heart
I've been watching your face turn
when you're lying through the white of your teeth
I have noticed how you try to hide the truth from me, even as it is written all over your face
Does it pain you the way it's pained me?
I am stained by the darkness of your deeds
Are you as affected by your actions as I am? Your misdeeds have had a lasting impact on me
Oh hells bells
An expression of frustration or annoyance
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
I can see right through you, and you are not the person you pretend to be
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
If given the opportunity, I would not hesitate to say goodbye to you forever
You've been running in slow motion
Defeated by your own success
You may appear to be successful, but I can see that you are struggling and feeling defeated
You have burnt all the bridges that we built
and forgotten
How you truly were blessed
You have destroyed the relationships we had and forgotten about the good things in life that you once had
Was I a passing trend?
A fleeting sight on your speeding binge?
Did you see me as nothing more than a temporary fad, just another stop on your wild journey?
I knew you once as a friend
There was a time when I considered you a trusted companion
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
I am not deceived by your false exterior and can see the true state of your being
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
If given the chance, I would not hesitate to leave you behind and move on with my life
Don't you think I can tell
That you're nothing but an empty shell
I am fully aware that you are hollow and superficial
And with the breaking day
I would not pause to fare you well
Fare you well
As soon as a new day begins, I would be ready to say goodbye to you forever
Contributed by David H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@courtneygrier2015
A song about the loss of a friendship. This is so powerful and so good. Needs more views.
@ashleyjones1225
I just found this I love her voice.
@TheGreenleaf21
Great Song and a brilliant Voice
@ronperry1870
Great Song Love it and it is also a great video
@marcintadewicz3584
amazing voice
@laurenyaktine9451
LOVE THIS! My name is Lauren and I say "Hell's Belles" a lot... so it hit home : )
@annieh.5049
This is extremely late, but one of my favorite songs right now
@jeanrobert7071
Oh YAH...AWWWSOME TUNE!!!!!!
@jeanrobert7071
YAH Professor..AC/DC..Male Hard Rock Band..Lauren Shera..Female Folk Singer..Yah I Cant Tell THEM Apart..THIS IS AWWWSEME TUNE👌👍✌😁🤘
@SpaceCattttt
Pretty good song. It could've had a stronger chorus, I suppose.
But up until the "Hell's Bells" part, it was all good.
So's Lauren, by the way. WROAR! ;)