Content with following her own muse, American singer/songwriter Lisa Cerbon… Read Full Bio ↴Content with following her own muse, American singer/songwriter Lisa Cerbone has quietly built a strong body of work since the 90’s. Lisa’s fourth recording, We Were All Together (Ocean Music, 2008), is her newest work to date. A spare, hushed collection, We Were All Together, peels back layers to explore love, loss, and family bonds. Her melancholic, poetic lyrics are buoyed by uplifting melodies and Lisa’s sweet, graceful vocals. Her acoustic finger-style guitar playing reference older influences such as Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Young; while the velvety textures and minimalist approach reference newer indie influences such as Maria Taylor, Julie Doiron, and the Great Lake Swimmers. Lisa’s particular gift is the humanity and wisdom that belie the subtle nature of the songs, making the listening experience a rewarding one full of meaning.

Lisa worked with musician and producer Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters) on her third release, Ordinary Days. From this experience, Lisa learned to shape a more organic soundscape and to explore mood to complement her delicate voice and poetic themes. On We Were All Together, the songs explore these ideas even further. All the musical and lyrical elements work sparingly to speak of those things that sometimes go unsaid but are frequently felt, bringing the listener in close. Since many of the songs were written after the loss of Lisa’s father, Lisa’s songs prove to be a more personal outing than those of the past, yet at the same time, continue to cover universal ground (“Tiny Patch of Earth”, “Change the Ending”). Still, there is also a whimsical quality found in songs inspired by her children (“Mia Noelle”, “Humming”, and “You Are So Loved”). These songs highlight the redemptive nature of life. Whether the songs are joyful or melancholic, or anywhere in between, at the forefront of Lisa’s work is an attempt to hold onto fleeting moments with love and hope.

Lisa currently lives in Maryland with her family and is a professor teaching English as a Second Language when she is not writing.

Ordinary days
Lisa Cerbone Lyrics

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As I walk away.
I'm struck by the ordinary day.
Girl in white.
Twirls against the blue of the sky. Far from shame.
Far from blame.
Far from where she came.
As I walk away.
I'm struck by the ordinary day.

Spanish boy.
Runs along the train tracks with a dog.
Far from shame.
Far from blame.
Far from where he came.
As I walk away.
I'm struck by the ordinary day.
I carry you underneath the stars shining in your room. Far from shame.

Far from blame.
This is where you came.

Overall Meaning

The song "Ordinary Days" by Lisa Cerbone is a poignant reflection on the beauty and significance of everyday life. The singer walks away from a scene, observing a girl in white twirling against the blue sky and a Spanish boy playing with his dog along train tracks. These ordinary moments are celebrated as the characters are far from shame and blame, and far from their origins. The singer also reflects on carrying someone special with her under the stars, noting that this is where they came from.

The song is a beautiful meditation on the ways in which we often overlook the beauty and significance of everyday life. Cerbone's lyrics urge us to pay attention to the world around us and appreciate the simple moments of joy and connection that make life meaningful. The repetition of the phrase "far from shame, far from blame" emphasizes the importance of accepting and celebrating ourselves and others just as we are, without judgment or criticism.

Overall, "Ordinary Days" is a beautiful song that reminds us of the value of everyday life and the importance of cherishing the simple moments that make it worthwhile.

Line by Line Meaning

As I walk away.
Reflecting on a departure.

I'm struck by the ordinary day.
Noting the simplicity of the day.

Girl in white.
Observing a young female wearing white clothing.

Twirls against the blue of the sky.
Spinning with the backdrop of the sky's blue hue.

Far from shame.
Without any feeling of guilt or disgrace.

Far from blame.
Not being held accountable or guilty for anything.

Far from where she came.
Being far removed from the origin or starting point.

Spanish boy.
An adolescent male from Spain.

Runs along the train tracks with a dog.
Jogs alongside the railway with a pet dog.

I carry you underneath the stars shining in your room.
Holding someone dear to me beneath a starry, night sky in their bedroom.

Far from shame.
Not feeling guilty or shameful in any way.