At the age of 15, Hegarty taught himself to play the guitar and later joined a band playing heavy alternative rock, drawing inspiration from bands like System of a Down and The Smashing Pumpkins. However, his musical direction shifted when he discovered the works of singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, as well as contemporary acts like Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens. This newfound interest in folk music led Hegarty to pick up the acoustic guitar and the banjo, paving the way for him to perform solo acoustic gigs.
During a performance in Woking, Hegarty met pianist Lindsay West and multi-instrumentalist Dave Millar, with whom he formed the initial lineup of Matthew and the Atlas. The band gained recognition as part of the emerging folk movement in the United Kingdom and became regulars at London's Notting Hill Arts Club.
In 2009, Matthew and the Atlas released their first EP on Communion Records, a label co-founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons. Their EP "To the North" was Communion's second release and helped establish the band's following, further bolstered by touring as the opening act for Mumford & Sons. Subsequent EPs like "Kingdom of Your Own" followed.
In 2014, Matthew and the Atlas released their debut full-length album, "Other Rivers," showcasing polished production and the incorporation of keyboards and electronic percussion. For the album "Temple" (2016), the band recorded with members of Foreign Fields and also released an acoustic version of the same songs titled "Temple (Unplugged)."
Over time, the band's lineup solidified, with members like Alex Roberts (guitar), Tommy Heap (bass and keyboards), James Drohan (drums), and Emma Gatrill (harp) joining Hegarty.
Matthew and the Atlas has built a devoted live following in London and has embarked on tours, including a UK tour with Mumford & Sons. The band's musical journey has seen them explore various styles, from classic acoustic folk to electronica and alt-rock, all the while maintaining Hegarty's distinctive vocal style and emotive songwriting.
In 2011, after a band member's departure, Matthew Hegarty decided to return to performing "solo" under the Matthew and the Atlas moniker.
Currently, Matthew Hegarty is preparing to release his new album, "This Place We Live," on Communion Records in November 2023. For the first time, he takes on recording and producing duties, crafting a collection of deeply personal songs that reflect on past experiences, family, parenthood, love, and loss. To support the album's release, Matthew Hegarty will embark on a solo tour throughout the UK and Europe in the fall of 2023.
Elijah
Matthew And The Atlas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was hard enough without the loss
Hanging on a thread of it
It was hard enough without the cause
Dancing to your lover's beat
Beating on heavy feet
Working on a dream you make
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
Wish you could have talked to me
Found another way to be
Living hard don't sound so good
It's hard to get out of the woods
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
The radio was playing all day
When I heard you singing
Fingers strom the sound through delay
It echoes to me
Wishbones' hidden in the residue
Someday they'll find you
Just a little piece of good for two
It won't forget you
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do.
The lyrics of Matthew And The Atlas's song Elijah seem to be about somebody named Elijah who is going through a difficult time. The first two stanzas suggest that he has gone through a loss and is holding on to something by a thread. He is trying to make something of his life, but it is hard, and he needs help. The next two stanzas seem to be a plea for him to find another way to be and to come out of the woods. The chorus repeats three times, emphasizing that he is too young to be lost, and he shouldn't fade out on the cross.
The last stanza describes someone playing the radio all day when they hear Elijah singing. The sound echoes to them, and they find a little piece of good for two. The wishbones hidden in the residue suggest hope, and someday they'll find Elijah. The song ends with another repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the fact that the singer doesn't know what Elijah needs to do.
Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest that somebody is going through a difficult time, and the singer is trying to reach out to them, urging them not to give up. The lyricist seems to be trying to offer words of encouragement in a difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken by the back of it
Overwhelmed and defeated by the challenges and struggles he faced
It was hard enough without the loss
Life was already tough, but the experience of loss made it even harder
Hanging on a thread of it
Holding on by a thin margin, with little hope and support
It was hard enough without the cause
The root of the problem was unclear or unknown, making it even more difficult to overcome
Dancing to your lover's beat
Being swayed and influenced by someone else's desires and passions
Beating on heavy feet
Moving forward slowly and heavily, with great effort
Working on a dream you make
Pursuing a goal or aspiration that was self-made, not necessarily one that is clear or achievable
When you made enough to ride the wave
Only when you've earned or achieved enough can you successfully ride the momentum of success
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Addressing a young person who is struggling, feeling lost, or uncertain of their future
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Urging Elijah to not give up or lose hope, despite the suffering he may be experiencing
Elijah, I don't know
Admitting that the singer doesn't have all the answers or solutions to Elijah's troubles
What it is you need to do
Asking Elijah to thoughtfully consider his own path and what actions he needs to take to move forward
Wish you could have talked to me
Expressing a desire to connect with and support Elijah, but regretful that it may not have been possible
Found another way to be
Encouraging Elijah to explore other possibilities and paths in life
Living hard don't sound so good
Pointing out that a difficult or tumultuous life isn't necessarily a desirable or rewarding one
It's hard to get out of the woods
Acknowledging that overcoming hardship or obstacles can be a challenging and lengthy process
The radio was playing all day
Taking notice of the constant noise and chaos of the world
When I heard you singing
Pausing to appreciate the beauty or joy found within that noise
Fingers strom the sound through delay
Playing with and manipulating sound in real-time, creating a unique and entrancing effect
It echoes to me
Experiencing a sense of connection and resonance with the music or Elijah's voice
Wishbones' hidden in the residue
Symbols of hope or luck are tucked away, waiting to be discovered amidst the aftermath of life's struggles
Someday they'll find you
Believing that Elijah will eventually find his way out of the darkness and into better fortune
Just a little piece of good for two
Celebrating small but meaningful moments of positivity and joy, meant to be shared
It won't forget you
Ensuring Elijah that even amidst hard times, there are always people who care and remember him
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SkilletPanHead
Broken by the back of it
It was hard enough without the loss
Hanging on a thread of it
It was hard enough without the cost
Dancing to your lover's beat
Beating on heavy feet
Working on a dream you made
When you made enough to ride the wave
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
Wish you could have talked to me
Found another way to be
Living hard don't sound so good
It's hard to get out of the woods
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
The radio was playing all day
When I heard you singing
Fingers strom the sound through delay
It echoes to me
Wishbones' hidden in the residue
Someday they'll find you
Just a little piece of good fortune
It won't forget you
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do.
@marinaarias8933
Broken by the back of it
It was hard enough without the loss
Hanging on a thread of it
It was hard enough without the cost
Dancing to your lover's beat
Beaten on heavy feet
Working on a dream you made
Well, you made enough to ride the wave
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
Wish you could have talked to me
Found another way to be
Living hard don't sound so good
It's hard to get out of the woods
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
The radio was playing all day
And I heard you singing
Fingers strom the sound through delay
And it echoes to me
Wishbones hidden in the residue
Someday they'll find you
Just a little piece of good for two
It won't forget you
Elijah, you're too young to be lost
Elijah, don't fade out on the cross
Elijah, I don't know
What it is you need to do
@elsmb9839
Sending love to everyone who is trying their best to heal from the things they do not discuss ♥
@-Ip4sy
it s not about to heal it s about accept..
@loup_perceptif
@@-Ip4sy well, I guess accepting is part of the healing process...:(
@user-zx9xu5vl2u
My friend of 15 years sent me this, we... don’t talk much anymore, the title of this song happens to be my name, and for some reason it gives it that much more meaning
@cassidyweddle3913
I am 33 but when I was a teenager my favorite uncle killed himself. I remember getting off the school bus and seeing my mom sweeping the porch. I thought it was weird because she should have been at work. When I asked her why she was home she told my little brothers to go on inside and told me what happened..Havent thought about it in a while but I heard this song today and it really brought me back to that moment. This song really reminds me of my uncle..He was the kindest, funniest guy I knew but obviously he had troubles he never talked to anyone about..It was sad to think of what happened but also nice to remember my uncle..I think I played this like 20 times today..
@sabiaven
Cassidy Weddle My favorite uncle passed away a week ago. I hope your uncle and my uncle could finally found peace.
@cassidyweddle3913
@@sabiaven I am sorry to hear about your Uncle. Thanks for your kind words.
@porcelaintaylor5168
This song is really underrated. My mom told me if I ever had a brother she would have named him Elijah. Whenever I listen to this song, I think about something I never had. My brother.
@adolfyuda3459
My son is called Eli short for Elijah “man of god” and l feel your pain.. may god bless you with your own son one day , that you will call Elijah ❤️#BeautifulSong #LifelsWhatYouMakeIt
@fruitbasket1238
As soon as I heard this, I felt like traveling. Going away for a little while, escaping from the negatively of the world. Then I saw beautiful green hills, a blue sky, and a narrow road leading no where when I closed my eyes. Your music is so magical, I love it. I'm so glad I found you.