Born on the 2nd February 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gardot took up piano and played as a youngster on the nightclub scene of Philadelphia, influenced by jazz, folk, rock, and pop musics. At the age of nineteen she was a fashion student at the Community College of Philadelphia. While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a car whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. In the accident she suffered serious head and spinal injuries, and her pelvis was broken in two places. Because of these severe injuries she was confined to her hospital bed for a year. Her musical beginning was prompted by a tending physician who was concerned with her cognitive impairment as a result of head injury sustained in the accident. He believed that music would help her brain injury improve, as it has been known to show remarkable results in improving people's cognitive ability after such trauma.
Following her doctor's suggestion, Gardot made recordings bedside, while still unable to walk, and eventually released the works as an EP: Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions (2005). Gardot's desire to be well, combined with a bit of luck, brought her to the attention of a local radio DJ at the AAA station WXPN (known for launching the careers of artists such as Amos Lee and Norah Jones). Her cognitive powers slowly but surely became pronounced, leading to the independent recording and release of her debut CD, Worrisome Heart, which was reissued in 2007 by Verve records.
Gardot is hypersensitive to light and noise, so wears dark glasses; she also uses a cane to walk. Onstage she requires a special seating unit, and wears a Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulator, a TENS device, to assist in alleviating her neuralgic muscle pain. Though touring is difficult, she has been performing in major cities on the East Coast of the U.S. to support her recordings. In 2009, working with producer Larry Klein and arranger Vince Mendoza - both known for their work with Joni Mitchell - Gardot followed up her Verve debut with My One and Only Thrill.
In 2012, she released the album The Absence.
Iemanja
Melody Gardot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do you appear so suddenly
We want to honor your family
With a little bitty boat set out on the sea
Iemanja, Iemanja, Iemanja
I dream of days spent in Salvador
With my little darling forever moreTaking a walk along the shore
Feels like heaven's an open door
Iemanja, Iemanja
If I were to offer a plain perfume
And if I were to honor the shining moon
As she sits so lonely upon the dune
Madre D'agna, See you soon
E'na lahia Iemanja, E'laiana Iemanja
E'Iemanja, E'Iemanja
I wanted to stay
I gotta go but I'm coming back one day
I gotta go but I'm coming back one day
I gotta go but I'm coming back one day
Melody Gardot's song "Iemanja" is a beautiful tribute to the Yoruba goddess of the sea, who is greatly revered in Brazilian culture. The song opens with the singer, likely Gardot herself, addressing Iemanja as a "white lady" who has gone to the Southern sea. The sudden appearance of Iemanja inspires the singer, who wants to honor Iemanja's family with a small boat set out to sea. The repetition of Iemanja's name throughout the song emphasizes her importance and invokes her presence.
The second verse of the song finds the singer dreaming of days spent in Salvador, a city in Brazil known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. The singer walks along the shore with a loved one, feeling like heaven's doors are open. The lyrics capture the intoxicating beauty of Salvador and hint at the idea that the singer and their lover are in some way connected to Iemanja.
The final verse focuses on honoring Iemanja with offerings of a plain perfume and by acknowledging the shining moon, which sits alone on the dunes. The Yoruba term "Madre D'agna" is used here as another name for Iemanja, suggesting the singer's deep reverence for the goddess. The final lines of the song express the singer's desire to return to Salvador and Iemanja one day. Overall, "Iemanja" is a beautiful and evocative homage to the goddess of the sea and the vibrant Brazilian culture that reveres her.
Line by Line Meaning
White lady gone to the Southern sea
Addressing a divine figure commonly known as the queen of the northern waters, who is about to arrive in the southern sea.
Why do you appear so suddenly
Asking the reason behind Iemanja's sudden appearance in the southern ocean.
We want to honor your family
Expressing the desire to honor Iemanja's family through a symbolic gesture.
With a little bitty boat set out on the sea
Conveying the plan to offer a small boat as a tribute to the goddess of the sea.
Iemanja, Iemanja, Iemanja
Repeating the name of the goddess as a chant for the boating ritual.
I dream of days spent in Salvador
Sharing personal musings about reminiscing the time spent in Salvador with the beloved one.
With my little darling forever more
Expressing the desire to be with the loved one in Salvador forever.
Taking a walk along the shore
Reflecting on the serene walks taken on the beach in Salvador.
Feels like heaven's an open door
Describing the serene moments on the beach as heavenly and breezy.
If I were to offer a plain perfume
Hypothetically stating the possibility of offering a plain perfume as a tribute to Iemanja.
And if I were to honor the shining moon
Continuing the hypothetical scenario, considering the possibility of honoring the moon in addition to the seagoddess.
As she sits so lonely upon the dune
Regarding the moon as being all by itself and isolated on the dunes.
Madre D'agna, See you soon
Addressing another spiritual entity named Madre D'agna before bidding goodbye to Iemanja, promising to meet again soon.
E'na lahia Iemanja, E'laiana Iemanja
Repeating the name of Iemanja in a different dialect as part of the ritualistic chant.
E'Iemanja, E'Iemanja
Continuing to chant the name of the seagoddess in repetition.
I wanted to stay
Expressing the desire to stay in Salvador longer.
I gotta go but I'm coming back one day
Acknowledging the need to depart from Salvador, but promising to return someday.
I gotta go but I'm coming back one day
Repeating the promise of returning someday before the song finishes.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELODY GARDOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@diegoengpro
White lady gone to the Southern sea
Why do you appear so suddenly
We want to honor your melody
With a little bitty boat set out on the sea
Iemanja, Iemanja, Iemanja
I dream of days spent in Salvador
With my little darling forever more
Taking a walk along the shore
Feels like heaven's an open door
Iemanja, Iemanja
If I were to offer a plain perfume
And if I were to honor the shining moon
As she sits so lonely upon the dune
Madre d'água, See you soon
É na Bahia, Iemanja
É baiana, Iemanja
I wanted to stay, I gotta go, but I'm coming back one day
@Uma.Spirit
Me voila transporter aTahiti 🎶👌😊
@G30Grrl
This has a whole different feel from much of Melody's previous music. I applaud her for expanding her musical expression. I hope she continues to explore her gift, and to share it with us mortals who adore her so.
@chi2bou
just playing this song again and again and again..... it s giving such good vibes: full of energy, full of happiness, of pleasure.... this song is a real delight !!!!! ♥♥♥
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.
@MauricioLopesFlauta
A compositora é Melody Gardot. Que inclusive tem um história de vida inspiradora.
@inigoretana667
I saw this live and incredibly, it's even better ! Melody <3
@slavkocosic5553
Melody Gardot - Class always<3...Light & Love...
@ISSAY68
Ms Gardot always have something special in her CDs.
@dryoshida
Interessante Melody Gardot cantando para nossa Mãe Iemanjá!
@diegoengpro
White lady gone to the Southern sea
Why do you appear so suddenly
We want to honor your melody
With a little bitty boat set out on the sea
Iemanja, Iemanja, Iemanja
I dream of days spent in Salvador
With my little darling forever more
Taking a walk along the shore
Feels like heaven's an open door
Iemanja, Iemanja
If I were to offer a plain perfume
And if I were to honor the shining moon
As she sits so lonely upon the dune
Madre d'água, See you soon
É na Bahia, Iemanja
É baiana, Iemanja
I wanted to stay, I gotta go, but I'm coming back one day