Peyroux started singing at the age of fifteen, when she discovered street musicians in the Latin Quarter in Paris. She joined a group called the Riverboat Shufflers, first passing round the hat, and then singing. At sixteen she joined the The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band, spending two years touring Europe performing songs by the likes of Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, which provided the basis for her first album, Dreamland.
Dreamland was released in 1996, and gained widespread attention. Time called it "the most exciting, involving vocal performance by a new singer this year". Dreamland, is a brilliant recording, as Peyroux's distinctive voice is not hindered by overly intricate arrangements. Most of the accompaniment on the record is light and sparse, the way it should be for a singer with such a unique voice. Peyroux soon found herself opening for Sarah McLachlan and Cesária Évora, and made appearances at jazz festivals and on the Lilith Fair tour.
In May 2002 she joined multi-instrumentalist William Galison, and together they appeared at such venues as the Bottom Line, Joe's Pub, and the Tin Angel. In 2003 the duo released a seven-song EP entitled Got You on My Mind, which they sold at shows and online. Got You on My Mind was re-released by William Galison in August 2004; the original EP was expanded by the addition of four tracks by Gallison.
Peyroux released her own sophomore effort, Careless Love, in September 2004. The album received generally positive reviews.
Her new album, Half the Perfect World, was released on September 12, 2006. She collaborated with several artists, including Jesse Harris, Walter Becker, Larry Klein (who also produced the album), and K.d. lang, with whom Peyroux duets on a cover of the Joni Mitchell song, "River".
On July 12, 2007, she was awarded Best International Jazz Artist at the BBC Jazz Awards.
A Prayer
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I must be strong now
I don't belong now
In this world anymore
I'll say a final prayer for
Those I care for
Who've kept my company
My need is clear
I'm dying to have you near
To me
Lord
I don't belong now
If you are waiting
I am not afraid to die
I'm prepared to go
Divide my body and soul
Won't you
Lord
I don't belong now
If you are waiting
I am not afraid to die
Have mercy
Lord, I'm told it's paradise
To have and to hold you
Lord
I must be strong now
I don't belong now
In this world anymore
Lord
I won't be long now
If you are waiting
I am not afraid to die
The lyrics to Madeleine Peyroux's song "A Prayer" speak about a person who feels as though they do not belong in the world anymore and is ready to die. The individual is saying a final prayer for those they care about who have kept them company, but they must leave this world. The person's need is to have the Lord near them in their final moments. They are willing to give up their body and soul to go to paradise and be with the Lord.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord
Addressing a higher power
I must be strong now
It's a difficult time, but I have to stay strong
I don't belong now
Feeling out of place in the current situation
In this world anymore
Feeling disconnected from the world
I'll say a final prayer for
Taking a moment to pray for
Those I care for
The people close to my heart
Who've kept my company
Those who have been with me through life
My need is clear
Knowing what I truly need
I'm dying to have you near
Wanting to feel close to someone or something
To me
In my life
If you are waiting
If there is a higher power waiting for me
I am not afraid to die
Not scared of death
I'm prepared to go
Ready to move on
Divide my body and soul
Letting go of physical and spiritual attachments
Won't you
Asking the higher power for something
Have mercy
Asking for mercy or forgiveness
Lord, I'm told it's paradise
Believing that there is paradise with the higher power
To have and to hold you
To be close to the higher power
Lord
Addressing a higher power
I won't be long now
Not expecting to live for much longer
If you are waiting
If there is a higher power waiting for me
I am not afraid to die
Not scared of death
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ALFRED MCCRARY, DATHAN JONES, SUNDRAY TUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stefaniruane7705
Found on Deadwood , simple put amazing!
@oscarhaydenperditionbound1195
Deadwood brought me here. Just finished the episode 😢
@theimaginationofmyself
Oscar Hayden (Perdition Bound) Nice, me too. Wolcott sure got a good beating, didn't he:D This song is hauntingly beautiful...
@shininmoon
Oscar Hayden (Perdition Bound) me three :)
@pedrodantas9028
+Oscar Hayden (Perdition Bound) Me too :)
@pedrodantas9028
+Oscar Hayden (Perdition Bound) What a show btw!
@goesthadistance
me2
@MrTommyc7590
Deadwood best series ever.
@ivanlaney2336
You do know that town got burned down don't you? It was never rebuilt and Hurst tore the Earth a new ass hole raping the gold from the guts.
@wisconsinman3590
@@ivanlaney2336 It got rebuilt. Al's place burned down later again and thats when he moved on to Colorado and was murfered in the street.