You Can Hear Them Dancing
Oliver Shanti Lyrics


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late at night you can hear them dancing hanna told me one day
late at night you can almost hear them singing
oh yes she's older now but her memories stand still
she's older now just a look up over that hill
late at night you can hear them dancing hanna told me one day

yawiho yoho
oh yes she's older now but her fire still burns,
she's older now but in her heart she yearns to hear them dancing,
to hear them singing





yawiho yoho

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Oliver Shanti's song You Can Hear Them Dancing (Joanne Shenandoah) describe a poignant reminiscence about a group of people who are no longer there but whose memory persists through the night. It begins with the line "late at night you can hear them dancing," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Hanna, the person singing the song, is reminiscing about a time when she was younger and heard noises in the night that she couldn't explain. However, upon asking her grandmother about these noises, she was told that it was the dancing of spirits.


The lyrics go on to say "oh yes she's older now but her memories stand still," meaning that even though time has passed, the memory of those dances is still fresh in her mind. The line "yawiho yoho" that is repeated throughout the song is a Native American chant that adds a hauntingly beautiful and mystical atmosphere to the song. The lyrics show that even though the person has grown older, they still hold onto the memories of their past and long to hear those voices again.


Line by Line Meaning

late at night you can hear them dancing hanna told me one day
At night, you can perceive them dancing, Hanna informed me once.


late at night you can almost hear them singing
During nighttime, one can nearly sense them singing.


oh yes she's older now but her memories stand still
Despite growing old, her reminiscences remain unchanged.


she's older now just a look up over that hill
As she ages, only a glance towards the hill is enough.


oh yes she's older now but her fire still burns
Even though she's aged, her passion still burns.


she's older now but in her heart she yearns to hear them dancing, to hear them singing
Although now matured, she longs in her heart to hear them dance and sing.


yawiho yoho
This line has no specific meaning, it's simply a chant-like interlude in the song.




Contributed by Logan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@user-iv8ge6yq7c

You Can Hear Them Dancing (Joanne Shenandoah)

late at night you can hear them dancing hanna told me one day
late at night you can almost hear them singing
oh yes she's older now but her memories stand still
she's older now just a look up over that hill
late at night you can hear them dancing hanna told me one day

yawiho yoho

oh yes she's older now but her fire still burns,
she's older now but in her heart she yearns to hear them dancing,
to hear them singing

yawiho yoho



All comments from YouTube:

@p.g.8138

I am very sad to say that Joanne has moved to a better place. She had the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I am very ill right now and am listening to her to help heal me. I really would like to see a medicine man or woman. White mans medicine has done nothing but, make me more sick. Let the great spirit be with you Joanne.

@iarguajojo9920

Hermosisima canción, gracias por compartir, gracias, gracias

@williamdavidnew4719

This is absolutely beautiful.

@Solsikken1000

So beautiful, the combination of the mucis and the pictures. Thank you Elisabeth :-)

@josette6214

I love this song! Very beautiful! Meegwech!

@ernststadler5645

I love this song !

@Lille55

I Love this. Every time I hear this I think of my mom and dad..

@julieteolivia

Thank you for this wonderful song! is just perfect for me.

@abdelrazighussein6198

Late at night, you can hear them dancing, Anna told me one day, late at night, you can almost hear them singing... Yes she is older now, but her memory stands still, yeah Shes older now, just look up over that hill, late at night, you can hear them dancing, Anna told me one day....

@Apriljahr

beautiful..........

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