Gundersen's music banks on strong lead vocals, boasting a poetic and lyrical charm, backed by ambient backgrounds of strings and percussion. Gundersen's music has been called a blend of melancholy folk and electric euphoria, occasionally drawing comparisons to the likes of Elijah Wyman, David Wilcox, and Damien Rice. Drawing the attention of crowds across the South Puget Sound region, Noah Gundersen regularly performs in a variety of settings, ranging from small college basements to more prestigious venues such as the Triple Door, the Crocodile Cafe, and the Columbia City Theater.
Gundersen and his younger sister usually create studio work on their own - together they have produced two EPs, a live album, and most recently two full length albums:
• Brand New World EP (Noah Gundersen) - 2008
• Live at The Triple Door (Noah Gundersen & The Courage) - 2008
• Saints & Liars EP (Noah Gundersen & The Courage) - Oct. 9, 2009
• Fearful Bones (The Courage) - Sept. 11, 2010
• Family (Noah Gundersen) - Aug. 6, 2011
Official site: noahgundersenmusic.com/
Poor Man's Son
Noah Gundersen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
My father is a hard earned worker; my mother has a heart of gold.
I was never much younger but I feel twice as old.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
But I've got money for food and a little bit of gasoline.
I've got plenty of time but I want everything now.
But I don't need no gold or silver,
Oh I only need a few new things.
Or I would buy pearls for my lover
Or just a brand new set of guitar strings.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
I feel a cold wind blowing;
Dark clouds form on the western sky.
I've got a feeling like knowing that everyone here will someday die.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
And I see the bright stars shining high above the Bethlehem tower;
I hear the chorus of angels singing out loud the sweetest sound.
Oh brothers, let's go down.
Let's go down, won't you come on down?
Oh brother, let's go down,
Down in the river to pray.
But I don't need no gold or silver,
Oh I only need a few new things.
Or I would buy pearls for my lover
Or just a brand new set of guitar strings.
The song "Poor Man's Son" by Noah Gundersen talks about the struggles of being poor in the middle of winter. The repeated phrase "stone cold broke in the middle of winter" reinforces this idea of being completely destitute during a time when the cold and darkness can be overwhelming. The singer emphasizes his familial background, with a hard-working father and a mother with a kind heart. He himself feels twice as old as he actually is, a result of the difficulties and stresses of being poor. However, despite these challenges, the singer does have some resources, mentioning that he has enough money for food and a little gasoline. He admits to wanting more, but not necessarily for expensive and glamorous items like gold or silver, instead naming guitar strings as a potential purchase. In the final section of the song, the tone shifts a bit as the singer starts to think about his own mortality and observes the beauty of the stars and angels singing. He urges his "brothers" to go down to the river to pray. Through this song, Gundersen suggests that even in our darkest moments, there can be glimpses of hope and beauty that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son.
I have no money and it's winter. I feel helpless and poor.
My father is a hard earned worker; my mother has a heart of gold.
My parents are wonderful people who have worked hard to raise me.
I was never much younger but I feel twice as old.
I feel like I have experienced a lot and am wise beyond my years.
But I've got money for food and a little bit of gasoline.
I have enough money to survive but not enough to thrive.
I've got plenty of time but I want everything now.
I am impatient and want everything immediately.
But I don't need no gold or silver, Oh I only need a few new things.
Material possessions are not important to me but I could use a few things.
Or I would buy pearls for my lover Or just a brand new set of guitar strings.
If I had more money, I would buy gifts for my loved ones or treat myself to something small.
I feel a cold wind blowing; Dark clouds form on the western sky.
I sense something foreboding happening or approaching.
I've got a feeling like knowing that everyone here will someday die.
I am aware of the inevitability of death and am contemplating my own mortality.
And I see the bright stars shining high above the Bethlehem tower; I hear the chorus of angels singing out loud the sweetest sound.
I am finding solace in the beauty and wonder of the natural world and am reminded of the religious stories I grew up with.
Oh brothers, let's go down. Let's go down, won't you come on down? Oh brother, let's go down, Down in the river to pray.
I am appealing to my fellow humans to join me in finding comfort and renewal in prayer or meditation.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julius Sardeiro
Poor Man's Song
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
My father is a hard earned worker; my mother has a heart of gold
I was never much younger but I feel twice as old
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
But I've got money for food and a little bit of gasoline
I've got plenty of time but I want everything now
I don't need no gold or silver
Oh I only need a few new things
Oh I would buy pearls for my lover
Oh and a brand new set of guitar strings
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
I feel a cold wind blowing
Dark clouds form on the western sky
I've got a feeling like knowing that everyone here will someday die
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
But I see the bright stars shining high above Bethlehem town
And I hear the chorus of angels singing out loud the sweetest sound
Oh brothers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh brothers, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
Oh sisters, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh sisters, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
Oh family, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh family, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
I don't need no gold or silver
Oh I only need a few new things
Oh I would buy pearls for my lover
Or just a brand new set of guitar strings
Canção de Um Homem Pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Meu pai é um grande trabalhador; minha mãe tem um coração de ouro
Eu nunca fui muito jovem, mas agora eu me sinto com dobro da idade
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Mas eu tenho dinheiro para comida e um pouco de gasolina
Eu tenho muito tempo, mas quero tudo pra agora
Eu não preciso de ouro ou prata
Oh, eu só preciso de algumas coisas
Oh, eu iria comprar pérolas para o meu amor
Ah, e um novo jogo de cordas para meu violão
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Eu sinto um vento frio soprando
Formam-se nuvens escuras no céu do ocidente
Eu tenho um sentimento como pensar que todos aqui um dia morrerão
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Mas eu vejo as estrelas brilhando acima da cidade de Belém
E eu ouço o coro de anjos cantando em um alto e doce som
Oh irmãos, vamos
Lá embaixo, desça
Oh irmãos, lá embaixo
Descer ao rio para orar
Oh irmãos, vamos
Lá embaixo, desça
Oh irmãos, lá embaixo
Descer ao rio para orar
Oh família, vamos descer
Vamos lá embaixo, desça
Oh família, vamos descer
Descer ao rio para orar
Eu não preciso de ouro ou prata
Oh, eu só preciso de algumas coisas
Oh, eu iria comprar pérolas para o meu amor
Ah, e um novo jogo de cordas para meu violão
Aquarius bizzell
Every song from the originals is magnificent always beautiful through the entire show. Absolutely the best music and show💖💞💙💜💚
Julius Sardeiro
Poor Man's Song
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
My father is a hard earned worker; my mother has a heart of gold
I was never much younger but I feel twice as old
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
But I've got money for food and a little bit of gasoline
I've got plenty of time but I want everything now
I don't need no gold or silver
Oh I only need a few new things
Oh I would buy pearls for my lover
Oh and a brand new set of guitar strings
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
I feel a cold wind blowing
Dark clouds form on the western sky
I've got a feeling like knowing that everyone here will someday die
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
Stone cold broke in the middle of the winter, oh like a poor man's son
But I see the bright stars shining high above Bethlehem town
And I hear the chorus of angels singing out loud the sweetest sound
Oh brothers, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh brothers, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
Oh sisters, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh sisters, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
Oh family, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Oh family, let's go down
Down in the river to pray
I don't need no gold or silver
Oh I only need a few new things
Oh I would buy pearls for my lover
Or just a brand new set of guitar strings
Canção de Um Homem Pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Meu pai é um grande trabalhador; minha mãe tem um coração de ouro
Eu nunca fui muito jovem, mas agora eu me sinto com dobro da idade
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Mas eu tenho dinheiro para comida e um pouco de gasolina
Eu tenho muito tempo, mas quero tudo pra agora
Eu não preciso de ouro ou prata
Oh, eu só preciso de algumas coisas
Oh, eu iria comprar pérolas para o meu amor
Ah, e um novo jogo de cordas para meu violão
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Eu sinto um vento frio soprando
Formam-se nuvens escuras no céu do ocidente
Eu tenho um sentimento como pensar que todos aqui um dia morrerão
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Tremendo de frio e sem dinheiro no meio do inverno, oh como um filho de um homem pobre
Mas eu vejo as estrelas brilhando acima da cidade de Belém
E eu ouço o coro de anjos cantando em um alto e doce som
Oh irmãos, vamos
Lá embaixo, desça
Oh irmãos, lá embaixo
Descer ao rio para orar
Oh irmãos, vamos
Lá embaixo, desça
Oh irmãos, lá embaixo
Descer ao rio para orar
Oh família, vamos descer
Vamos lá embaixo, desça
Oh família, vamos descer
Descer ao rio para orar
Eu não preciso de ouro ou prata
Oh, eu só preciso de algumas coisas
Oh, eu iria comprar pérolas para o meu amor
Ah, e um novo jogo de cordas para meu violão
robertancmd
This is the feeling that you can't feel twice. I can't explain what I just felt seeing this piece of art. This guy and his family has to be on everyone`s radio, iPod, computer, phone, whatever… so they all can feel what I just felt. It`s amazing Noah! You`re one in a million.
Katrina Marcum
I used to listen to this like 10 years ago. It’s still amazing ❤️
DoomchildXXL
This is one of the most powerful renditions of anything ever.
Dale
Such talented vocals. This is real music.
Brooke-Lynn Pokorny
Oh my word. I heard this song play on the originals and I fell in love. Y'all have beautiful voices.
kenca súnico
Me encanta este hombre. Desde sus principios, hasta ahora. Que voz...
ViolinChick
Here from The Originals and now obsessed, this song is just too beautiful, it's perfect. It was an incredible use of a song in a show and it's just magic of a song.
Valerie Cobos
LOVE IT!