Humbert worked on "Transmission Of All The Good-Byes" from 1984 until 2000. The album was released at the end of October 2000 on Glitterhouse Records.
"Short Stories", the second album, is a co-operation between Pascal Humbert and Jean-Yves Tola and features guest appearances from among others David Eugene Edwards (of Woven Hand and 16 Horsepower), Dana Colley (of Morphine and Twinemen), Daniel McMahon and Tom Barman (of deus).
"Short Stories" was released in Europe in June 2003. In August 2003, Twist & Shout Records released the album in the US with three bonus tracks with original music for the short film "The Rain Has Forgotten Us", directed by Mary-Lyn Chambers and in June 2004 Glitterhouse released a DVD-A(udio) version of "Short Stories".
"Felt", the third album, was released in 2010. The band returned to a two-piece, now featuring Pascal Humbert and Bruno Green. Jean-Yves Tola had ceased involvement with the group, and Kal Cahoone contributed as a guest member, along with Hugo Race and a cast of others.
More Info/Source: http://www.16horsepower.com/lilium.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_%28band%29
Whitewashed
Lilium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strung high on the wall
Oak and pine
Mahogany mine
The eyes of mercy they are thine
We look for the better angels of our nature
We look in vain
Cost as it may
Every seeking a narrower way
Ever weak
However strong
They are most beautiful before they're gone
Whitewashed
Given foothold and license
You snuck in here on a folk song
Try yourself
Do something
Rise from the ground like a flower
Prove to be
Be found to be
What does the lord require
To do justly
To love mercy
To walk humbly on his ground
He does set straight with a glance
Guilt washed down in weeping
Don't come around my dreams no more
With a fist full of stick
Come in the smile of Elijah
He is the lord and healer of the sick
Les absents ont toujours tort
Les absents ont toujours tort
The song "Whitewashed" by Lilium is a haunting masterpiece that tells a story of inner struggle, seeking truth and justice, and the presence of mercy in the face of darkness. The opening lines "Kiss a velvet doll, Strung high on the wall, Oak and pine, Mahogany mine, The eyes of mercy they are thine" paint a vivid picture of a doll, seemingly innocent and safe on the surface but also evoking an eerie sense of isolation and entrapment. The doll's eyes are described as merciful, perhaps symbolizing hope or forgiveness amidst suffering.
The subsequent lines "We look for the better angels of our nature, We look in vain, Speak truth, Cost as it may, Every seeking a narrower way, Ever weak, However strong, They are most beautiful before they're gone" suggest a search for goodness and purity, but one that is often futile and painful. The call for speaking truth, despite the consequences, highlights the importance of standing up for what is right even if it goes against popular opinion. The reference to beauty fading away is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and that we must appreciate its fleeting moments.
The chorus of the song, "Whitewashed, Given foothold and license, You snuck in here on a folk song, Try yourself, Do something, Rise from the ground like a flower, Prove to be, Be found to be" contains a sense of defiance against the status quo. The idea of something "whitewashed" refers to something that has been made to appear clean or innocent, despite hidden impurities or injustices. Lilium is challenging the idea that these injustices should be accepted or ignored. The encouragement to "rise from the ground like a flower" implies a sense of growth and hope, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss a velvet doll
Touch a toy doll made of soft velvet fabric.
Strung high on the wall
Hanged at an elevated place on the wall.
Oak and pine
Types of strong and durable trees.
Mahogany mine
An imaginary place where Mahogany wood is extracted.
The eyes of mercy they are thine
You possess the trait of kindness and compassion.
We look for the better angels of our nature
We seek the good qualities inherent within us.
We look in vain
We search for it but cannot find it.
Speak truth
Always talk honestly.
Cost as it may
No matter the price or sacrifice required.
Every seeking a narrower way
Each attempt at finding a more limited path.
Ever weak
Always powerless.
However strong
Despite being powerful.
They are most beautiful before they're gone
Their beauty is evident right before their departure.
Whitewashed
Covered in a superficial and deceptive layer of purity.
Given foothold and license
Permitted and authorized to exist in a certain location.
You snuck in here on a folk song
You infiltrated this place via a song with a cultural significance.
Try yourself
Attempt to succeed on your own merits.
Do something
Take some kind of action or make an effort.
Rise from the ground like a flower
Emerge from a state of obscurity or insignificance, like a flower sprouting from the soil.
Prove to be
Demonstrate one's worth or competence.
Be found to be
Ultimately discovered to possess a particular quality or attribute.
What does the lord require
What qualities or actions does God expect from us.
To do justly
To act with fairness and impartiality.
To love mercy
To show compassion and forgiveness to others.
To walk humbly on his ground
To live with modesty and humility in God's presence.
He does set straight with a glance
God can correct wrongs with just a look.
Guilt washed down in weeping
The cleansing of one's shame and regret through crying.
Don't come around my dreams no more
Do not appear in my subconscious thoughts again.
With a fist full of stick
Holding a weapon or tool made of a wooden stick.
Come in the smile of Elijah
Arrive with a friendly and welcoming expression, referring to a Biblical prophet Elijah.
He is the lord and healer of the sick
Elijah is believed to be a powerful and divine figure who can cure illnesses.
Les absents ont toujours tort
A French saying that translates to 'The absent are always in the wrong.'
Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ΑΝΤΙ'
Kiss a velvet doll
Strung high on the wall
Oak and pine
Mahogany mine
The eyes of mercy they are thine
We look for the better angels of our nature
We look in vain
Speak truth
Cost as it may
Every seeking a narrower way
Ever weak
However strong
They are most beautiful before they're gone
Whitewashed
Given foothold and license
You snuck in here on a folk song
Try yourself
Do something
Rise from the ground like a flower
Prove to be
Be found to be
What does the lord require
To do justly
To love mercy
To walk humbly on his ground
He does set straight with a glance
Guilt washed down in weeping
Don't come around my dreams no more
With a fist full of stick
Come in the smile of Elijah
He is the lord and healer of the sick
Les absents ont toujours tort
Les absents ont toujours tort
Ryan Charles
Hauntingly beautiful, and one of my favorite songs of all time. "It is a strange poetry." David Eugene Edwards; the Preacher. Hoka!
Joseph Beard
David Eugene Edwards: my favorite voice.
Mick Bohannon
Probably the darkest song I know. And I know plenty of sad, groomy melancholic songs
Logan G. Mohler
You wanna talk music sometime? I’m a music nerd
ΑΝΤΙ'
Kiss a velvet doll
Strung high on the wall
Oak and pine
Mahogany mine
The eyes of mercy they are thine
We look for the better angels of our nature
We look in vain
Speak truth
Cost as it may
Every seeking a narrower way
Ever weak
However strong
They are most beautiful before they're gone
Whitewashed
Given foothold and license
You snuck in here on a folk song
Try yourself
Do something
Rise from the ground like a flower
Prove to be
Be found to be
What does the lord require
To do justly
To love mercy
To walk humbly on his ground
He does set straight with a glance
Guilt washed down in weeping
Don't come around my dreams no more
With a fist full of stick
Come in the smile of Elijah
He is the lord and healer of the sick
Les absents ont toujours tort
Les absents ont toujours tort
danielesanvi
emozionante....dan
softsun2
kinda sounds like Gymnopédie
OdedMusic
Wow.
Carlos Cabecinha
these guys are so fuckin' good... where they from?
Frank Eckert
France...wtf, they're from a state called Colorado.