Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. The North Carolina duo have built a steady and growing fanbase with this kind of intimacy, and on Tides of A Teardrop, due out February 1, it is more potent than ever. By all accounts, it is the duo’s fullest, richest, and most personal effort. You can hear the air between them—the taut space of shared understanding, as palpable as a magnetic field, that makes their music sound like two halves of an endlessly completing thought. Singer-songwriter Andrew Marlin and multi-instrumentalist Emily Frantz have honed this lamp glow intimacy for years.
In the last three years, the group has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Rooster Walk, and MerleFest and the Omagh Bluegrass Festival. Mandolin Orange was the featured artist on CBS This Morning's Saturday Morning Sessions on December 7, 2019.
They signed to Yep Roc Records in 2013 and have produced four albums under their umbrella, This Side Of Jordan, Such Jubilee, Blindfaller and Tides of a Teardrop.
Golden Embers
Mandolin Orange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride
Loss has no end, it binds to our connection
We don't speak of it, we don't even try
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burning in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
I miss the old hymns when she used to sing
The sparrows spread their mortal wings
Now they've all lighted with the silence of strings
Like notes on the pages, she breathed life into all things
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burning in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
Just like an old friend, reach out to me
Bathe me in the light of understanding
Try to help me to share the trouble
But you've got burned and then you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
The lyrics of Mandolin Orange's "Golden Embers" explore themes of loss, grief, and the power of shared experience. The song speaks of a shared connection that is so deep that it cannot be put into words. The metaphor of the "golden embers in the night" strongly evokes the idea of a lost loved one's memory remaining with us, like a warm fire on a cold night.
The first verse of the song describes a Cadillac that provides a ride for "our girl"—possibly a reference to the singer's lost loved one. Loss is described as binding the connection between the people involved, as it is too painful to speak of. The second verse is full of poignant imagery that evokes feelings of sadness and nostalgia. The singer misses the old hymns that their loved one used to sing, and even the sparrows seem to have lost their joyous song. The final verse urges a friend to reach out and help the singer share their troubled feelings. The phrase "bathe me in the light of understanding" suggests a desire for empathy and support in a difficult time.
Overall, the song acts as a deeply emotional tribute to the lasting impact of love and memory. It's a song that has the power to connect with anyone who has experienced loss and the pain that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like an old friend, kinder than expected
A comparison of an unexpected kindness, like that of visiting an old friend
That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride
A metaphor for death taking away someone dear, symbolized by the car 'Cadillac'
Loss has no end, it binds to our connection
The pain of loss cannot be undone, it only serves to strengthen our relationships
We don't speak of it, we don't even try
The deep pain of loss is often too difficult to talk about, so it is kept silent
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burning in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
A call to share each other's struggles; honoring the memory of the lost through the embers of shared experience.
I miss the old hymns when she used to sing
A longing for the sound of a loved one's voice, specifically singing hymns
The sparrows spread their mortal wings
Now they've all lighted with the silence of strings
Like notes on the pages, she breathed life into all things
A comparison of a bird's flight to the sound of strings, which signifies the departed's ability to give life
Just like an old friend, reach out to me
Bathe me in the light of understanding
Try to help me to share the trouble
But you've got burned and then you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
A request for empathy and understanding in order to share in the pain collectively, but also acknowledging that everyone has their own pain to bear. The memory of the lost one can be honored by sharingtime together.
Writer(s): ANDREW MARLIN
Contributed by Ethan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pikeconnor186
Lyrics:
Just like an old friend, kinder than expected
That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride
Loss has no end, it binds to our connection
We don't speak of it, we don't even try
[Chorus]
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burnin' in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
[Verse 2]
I miss the old hymns; when she used to sing
The sparrows spread their mortal wings
Now they've all lighted with the silence of strings
Like notes on the pages, she breathed life into all things
[Chorus]
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burnin' in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
[Bridge]
Just like an old friend, reach out to me
Bathe me in the light of understanding
[Chorus]
And try to help me to share the trouble
That you've got burnin' in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
@pablopasati4680
Just like an old friend, kinder than expected
That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride
Loss has no end, it binds to our connection
We don't speak of it, we don't even try
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burning in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
I miss the old hymns, when she used to sing
The sparrows spread their mortal wings
Now they've all lighted with the silence of strings
Like notes on the pages, she breathed life into all things
If you could help me to share the trouble
That you've got burning in you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
Just like an old friend, reach out to me
Bathe me in the light of understanding
Try to help me to share the trouble
But you've got burned and then you, then you can help me
And in our time together, her memory will ever
Shine like golden embers in the night
@necksugar
This Song is a Spiritual Support Group for the Hurting SOULS who have lost a beautiful LOVE in a cold and chaotic world.
The words and music remind me of my SWEET and Beautiful Aunt Gena, who was an angelic country music vocalist,a fantastic mama and a loving wife.
She went to Hallelujah Square to be with the LORD on this day, 20 years ago.
It's hard to believe that our family has made it so many steps, one before the other for so very days and months and years on Earth void of her sweet company and thoughtful light .
But that's just how it is. One DAY at a TIME SWEET JESUS, until Time is just a memory surrounded by new music that we write and sing about it with her ❤️.
What a JOY it is to have been BLESSED with the GIFT of such a unique and AWESOME LIFE that shaped who I am today.
The Songs DO remember WHEN.
The music does remind us WHO. And the brightness of those glowing embers of rememberance shine our WAY to WHERE we will all harmonize together again.
@justinbauk1026
Loss has no end, it binds to our connection.
We don't speak of it - We don't even try.
@tonyharrison2732
This song is a testament to love, loss and the beauty to be found in sadness. Utterly lovely, haunting, uplifting music.
@MrAsh2521
That’s very poetic description of this song.
@juniorvonclaire3576
Well put. I think the song is just unreal. If only the entire world could listen, I’d be thrilled. If you’ve yet to see the official video, in which the song has very slight variations, I urge you to watch it. I love both performances and both videos. ✌🏻
@zizendorf
@@juniorvonclaire3576 What a wonderful sentiment; that the whole world could hear this...Yeah...that could be good...
@AVIVAH4EVER
❤😢❤
@borntobe4419
Lost my wife to cancer, at the young age of 39. My heart goes out to all those looking for peace. May this song guide us all and refresh our minds, as we remember our losses.
@norskibull2.021
So Very sorry for the loss of your wife, cancer is absolutely horrible. My prayers go out to you and your loved ones. May your days be filled with beautiful memories of all the good times and give you strength to carry on, which is what she’d want until the time comes to reunite once again on the souls forever journey…. I just lost my beautiful young cousin to it the other night, was only 43, She fought so hard. May they both be resting in paradise, out of their pains, no more suffering, we will see them again. Hang in there…peace be with you
@Harryroberts1975
Sorry for your loss. Much love to you.
@borntobe4419
@Norski Bull 2.0 thank you and sorry for ur loss as well