Ward was previously with the band Rodriguez, which included bassist Kyle Field (of Little Wings fame) and drummer Mike Funk. They recorded and released on cassette Box Plots and Cash Crops and then the album Swing Like a Metronome in 2000. Duet for Guitars #2 was released on Howe Gelb's Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia, was released by Future Farmer Records, and his subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & the Voices of Strangers, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows. His next album, Transfiguration of Vincent, was released in 2003, followed by Transistor Radio in 2005. A year later, Post War was released.
In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce, the John Fahey tribute album, I Am the Resurrection. He also contributed the song "Transfiguration #1" from Transfiguration of Vincent to the Brushfire Records soundtrack for A Brokedown Melody, a Jack Johnson surfing film.
His album, Hold Time, was released in 2009. The album A Wasteland Companion followed in 2012. The album title alludes to T.S. Eliot's 1922 modernist poem, The Waste Land. In 2016, he released More Rain. On June 8, 2018, M. Ward released What a Wonderful Industry.
Side Projects
In 2008 M. Ward combined forces with Zooey Deschanel and became She & Him. They have released two albums so far, Volume One in 2008 and Volume Two in 2010. He is also one fourth of the folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk, alongside Jim James from My Morning Jacket, and Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes. Their self-titled release, Monsters of Folk, was released in 2009.
* Official website
Requiem
M. Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he clapped with his hands
He summoned all of his joy when he laughed
It suffered all of his joy when he cried
[Chorus]
And sometimes when he got into talking
Man he could rattle on and on
Well in war he was a tiger
When it was over like a dove
He summoned all of his strength in the climb
It suffered all of his strength in the fall
[Chorus]
He put his trust in a higher power
He held his power like a holy grail
He summoned all of his faith in the lifting
It suffered all of his faith fail
His heart was stronger than a heavy metal bullet
And that's why I dedicate this song
He was a good man and now he's gone
His heart was stronger than a heavy metal bullet
And that's why I dedicate this song
He was a good man and now he's gone
The lyrics to M. Ward's song Requiem are a poignant tribute to a good man who has passed away. The first verse describes how this man used to express his joy and his sorrow - he stomped his feet, clapped his hands, and laughed and cried with all his heart. The chorus then emphasizes that although he could be a talker, he was a good person who is now gone. The second verse switches gears and describes the man's bravery in war, where he was a fierce fighter but then became gentle like a dove after the war was over. The final verse describes how he trusted in a higher power and held his faith as a precious thing, even though it ultimately failed him. The song ends on a powerful note, with the repeated line that his heart was stronger than a bullet, reinforcing the idea that he was a truly good person who is now gone.
Overall, Requiem is a beautifully written and emotional song that pays tribute to someone who was clearly loved and respected. The combination of vivid imagery (like the stomping and clapping in the first verse) and heartfelt praise (like the repeated line about his strong heart) create a picture of a person who was full of life and goodness, despite any struggles they may have faced.
Line by Line Meaning
Well he stomped with his feet
He expressed himself physically with his feet by stomping.
And he clapped with his hands
He used his hands to clap, showing his appreciation or enjoyment.
He summoned all of his joy when he laughed
He displayed all of his happiness when he found something amusing.
It suffered all of his joy when he cried
All of his joy and happiness were lost when he expressed sadness by crying.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus, expressing the loss of a good man.
Well in war he was a tiger
He was fierce and brave when fighting in a war.
When it was over like a dove
After the war, he became peaceful and gentle like a dove.
He summoned all of his strength in the climb
He used all of his energy to climb uphill.
It suffered all of his strength in the fall
All of his strength was lost when he fell down.
[Chorus]
Repetition of the chorus, expressing the loss of a good man.
He put his trust in a higher power
He had faith and relied on a higher entity.
He held his power like a holy grail
His power was sacred and important to him.
He summoned all of his faith in the lifting
He had all of his trust and belief in the act of lifting.
It suffered all of his faith fail
His faith failed and was lost.
His heart was stronger than a heavy metal bullet
He had a strong and resilient heart.
And that's why I dedicate this song
The song is dedicated to him because of his strong heart.
He was a good man and now he's gone
Repetition of the chorus, expressing the loss of a good man.
His heart was stronger than a heavy metal bullet
He had a strong and resilient heart.
And that's why I dedicate this song
The song is dedicated to him because of his strong heart.
He was a good man and now he's gone
Repetition of the chorus, expressing the loss of a good man.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRADLEY BAKER, THOMAS COHEN, SAM KILCOYNE, MELISSA RIGBY, HUW WEBB, JOLYON VAUGHAN THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind