Born in Hampstead, London, Faithfull began her career in 1964 after attending a Rolling Stones party, where she was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham. Her debut album Marianne Faithfull (released simultaneously with her album Come My Way on April 15, 1965) was a commercial success followed by a number of albums on Decca Records. From 1966 to 1970, she had a highly publicised romantic relationship with Mick Jagger. Her popularity was further enhanced by her film roles, such as those in I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her popularity was overshadowed by personal problems in the 1970s. During that time she was anorexic, homeless and a heroin addict.
Noted for her distinctive voice, Faithfull's previously melodic and higher-registered vocals (which were prevalent throughout her career in the 1960s) were affected by severe laryngitis, coupled with persistent drug abuse during the 1970s, permanently altering her voice, leaving it raspy, cracked and lower in pitch. This new sound was praised as "whisky soaked" by some critics and seen as having helped to capture the raw emotions expressed in Faithfull's music.
After a long commercial absence, Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 release of her critically acclaimed album Broken English. The album was a commercial success and marked a resurgence of her musical career. Broken English earned Faithfull a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often regarded as her "definitive recording". She followed this with a series of albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child's Adventure (1983) and Strange Weather (1987). Faithfull also wrote three books about her life: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994), Memories, Dreams & Reflections (2007) and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record (2014).
Faithfull is listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll" list. She received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Women's World Awards and was made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France.
Ghost Dance
Marianne Faithfull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is it children, that falls from the sky? (again)
Tayi, taya, tayi, aye ya
Manna from Heaven, from most high
Food from the Father, tayi, taya
We shall live again, we shall live again (we shall live again)
Check out the greed (we shall live)
Tayi, taya, it left two feet
One foot extended, snake to the ground
Wave of the Earth, one turn around
We shall live again, we shall live again (we shall live again)
Shake out the grief, babe (we shall live)
Stretch out your arms now dip and sway
Fruit of thy bird, tayi, taya
Threw off your shoe, haul off the sow
Dust off the words that shake from the tale
We shall live again, we shall live again (we shall live again)
Check out the ghost dance (we shall live)
Here we are, Father, here, Holy Ghost
Bread of your bread, host of your host
We are the tears that fall from your eyes
Word of your word, cry of your cry
We shall live again, we shall live again (we shall live again)
(We shall live again)
What is it, Father, in your eye? (we shall live again)
What is this grave sign, eyes to cry (we shall live again)
Blood of my baby, well, just what I need (we shall live again)
What is it, hide me, way off the speed (we shall live again)
Oh, is it, Father, holy that night? (we shall live again)
What is it, Father, that moves to the right? (we shall live again)
What is it, Father, isn't it pain? (we shall live again)
What is it, Father, that shakes from your main? (we shall live again)
What is it, Father, supposed to be brave? (we shall live again)
A lot of questions, the right to live (we shall live again)
What is it, baby, I can do? (we shall live again)
Your mama loves you, I'm dying, too (we shall live again)
I won't forget you, never lie (we shall live again)
Always love you till I die (we shall live again)
The song "Ghost Dance" by Marianne Faithfull has a spiritual and mystical tone to it. The repeated phrase "we shall live again" suggests a belief in reincarnation or an afterlife. The lyrics also ask questions about the symbolism and significance of various things, such as the manna from heaven, tears falling from God's eyes, and a grave sign. The imagery and language used in the song create an otherworldly atmosphere, as though the singer is trying to make sense of a supernatural experience.
The phrase "ghost dance" is a reference to a religious movement in Native American history, which sought to communicate with the spirits of ancestors and bring about a revival of their culture. Given the spiritual themes and references in the song, it's possible that Faithfull was drawing inspiration from this movement. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of non-English words also gives the song a ritualistic quality, as though the singer is taking part in a sacred ceremony.
Overall, "Ghost Dance" is a mysterious and poetic song that invites interpretation and contemplation. It speaks to a deep-seated human desire to understand the nature of existence and find meaning in the face of life's mysteries.
Line by Line Meaning
We shall live again, we shall live
Repetition of the statement emphasizes hope of resurrection.
What is it children, that falls from the sky? (again)
Questioning the truth behind an event.
Tayi, taya, tayi, aye ya
Chant-like sounds whose meaning is left unclear and ambiguous.
Manna from Heaven, from most high
Comparing a miraculous event to the biblical story of manna from heaven.
Food from the Father, tayi, taya
Food that is divinely provided for survival.
Check out the greed (we shall live)
Criticism of greed as a hindrance to living.
Peace to your brother, give and take heed
Advice to promote peace, coexistence and mutual understanding.
Tayi, taya, it left two feet
Ambiguous chant-like sounds that create a rhythm and build anticipation.
One foot extended, snake to the ground
Movement that mimics a snake to the ground.
Wave of the Earth, one turn around
Physical movement of twisting and turning that symbolizes movement in life.
Shake out the grief, babe (we shall live)
Cast away sadness and grief and embrace life.
Stretch out your arms now dip and sway
Physical movements that are freeing in dance and expression.
Fruit of thy bird, tayi, taya
Mysterious chant-like sounds that create a rhythm and build anticipation.
Threw off your shoe, haul off the sow
Symbolic acts of shedding unnecessary baggage and emotions for emotional growth.
Dust off the words that shake from the tale
Metaphor for clearing the cobwebs that veil one's perception of a situation.
Check out the ghost dance (we shall live)
Mysterious dance that scares off greed and promotes life.
Here we are, Father, here, Holy Ghost
Invocation of divine spirits for guidance and protection.
Bread of your bread, host of your host
Metaphoric expression of being dependent on a higher power for sustenance.
We are the tears that fall from your eyes
Identifying oneself as being part of what God experiences and feels.
Word of your word, cry of your cry
Reiteration of being empathetic to God's emotions.
What is it, Father, in your eye? (we shall live again)
Question arising from empathy and the search for answers.
What is this grave sign, eyes to cry (we shall live again)
Asking the meaning of symbols in life that cause one to cry.
Blood of my baby, well, just what I need (we shall live again)
The necessity for healing and comfort from a higher power after tragedy.
What is it, hide me, way off the speed (we shall live again)
Asking for strength, protection and the ability to cope.
Oh, is it, Father, holy that night? (we shall live again)
Questioning the significance of a specific moment in time with divine reference.
What is it, Father, that moves to the right? (we shall live again)
Attempting to understand the movement of God and the circumstances of life.
What is it, Father, isn't it pain? (we shall live again)
Confronting the reality of pain in life.
What is it, Father, that shakes from your main? (we shall live again)
Querying the emotional outpouring of God.
What is it, Father, supposed to be brave? (we shall live again)
Pondering the strength that emanates from God, and how that impacts one's own ability to be brave.
A lot of questions, the right to live (we shall live again)
Contemplation of life's questions and what to fight for.
What is it, baby, I can do? (we shall live again)
Reflecting upon one's own limits and how they impact the people they love.
Your mama loves you, I'm dying, too (we shall live again)
Reassurance to a loved one that they are not alone in their suffering.
I won't forget you, never lie (we shall live again)
Promise of loyalty, love, and support.
Always love you till I die (we shall live again)
Commitment to love, even after death.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATTI SMITH, LEONARD J KAYE, JAY DEE DAUGHERTY, IVAN KRAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind