The band's namesake and place of origin is the Cincinnati, Ohio neighborhood Over-the-Rhine. Karin attended school in Barnesville, Ohio and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1984. She then went to Malone College, located in Canton, Ohio, where she met Linford. Karin and Linford were married in the fall of 1996 in Cincinnati and several years ago relocated to a pre-civil war farm outside of town.
Over the Rhine is now primarily Bergquist (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano) and Detweiler (keyboards, electric bass, vocals) accompanied by complementary musicians on albums and tours. Over the years, they have toured and recorded in many variations. They have shared the stage with a number of fine musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and toured as "adjunct" members of Cowboy Junkies.
Over the Rhine's new album, _The Long Surrender_ was released nationally on 1/1/11. It recorded on California with Grammy winning producer, Joe Henry and contains a duet with Lucinda Williams on "Undamned" and two songs co-written with Joe Henry.
Born
Over the Rhine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I learned to laugh though my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
Pour me a glass of wine
Talk deep into the night
Who knows what we'll find
Intuition, deja-vu
The Holy Ghost haunting you
Whatever you got
I don't mind
Put your elbows on the table
I'll listen long as I am able
There's nowhere I'd rather be
Secret fears, the supernatural
Thank God for this new laughter
Thank God the joke's on me
We've seen the landfill rainbow
We've seen the junkyard of love
Baby it's no place for you and me
I was born to laugh
I learned to laugh through my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
The chorus of Over the Rhine's song "Born" expresses the singers' fundamental beliefs: they were born to laugh and they were born to love. Despite any tears and fears they may have experienced, they have learned to laugh and they plan to love without fear. The chorus constitutes both a statement about self-discovery and an assertion of self-confidence. It might also suggest that laughter and love are closely related and mutually reinforcing.
The first verse implies that the singer went through an experience in which laughing was not easy, and tears seemed to predominate. However, they eventually learned to laugh even when things hurt. The second verse portrays an intense conversation between the singer and another person. The singer hopes that the conversation will lead to a deeper understanding of both themselves and the other person. They’re open for whatever the conversation may bring, including intuition and even the surreal feeling of deja-vu. The singer is not afraid of anything the other person may have to bring up. The conversational atmosphere is peaceful and reassuring.
In the bridge, the singer reflects on the depth of their bond with the person they are conversing with. They're willing to listen and support the other person for as long as they're needed. Even if the conversation takes a turn and brings up fears, they're trusting that it is for the best. The mention of the "supernatural" may be a reference to religious beliefs, or to the power of the inexplicable that can transform a conversation. In the final lines, the singer alludes to the idea of balance. The song does not suggest laughing without ever acknowledging pain, or loving without caution. Instead, it reinforces the idea that these positive qualities can be powerful tools for approaching the world with resilience and openness to great transformations.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born to laugh
My natural inclination is toward happiness and joy
I learned to laugh though my tears
Even in difficult times, I have found the ability to find joy and positivity
I was born to love
Love and compassion come naturally to me
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
I am working on removing any hesitations or insecurities when it comes to loving others
Pour me a glass of wine
Let's unwind and relax
Talk deep into the night
Let's have meaningful conversations and get to know each other better
Who knows what we'll find
Let's explore the mysteries of life and the world around us
Intuition, deja-vu
I trust my instincts and recognize the familiarity of certain experiences
The Holy Ghost haunting you
The presence of a divine force in our lives, guiding and inspiring us
Whatever you got
I am accepting of others and their experiences, without judgment
I don't mind
I am open and non-judgmental
Put your elbows on the table
Let's relax and make ourselves at home
I'll listen long as I am able
I am willing to lend an ear and provide support
There's nowhere I'd rather be
In this moment, I am content and happy
Secret fears, the supernatural
I am willing to explore and address even the most personal or complex issues
Thank God for this new laughter
I am grateful for the joy and happiness that I have found
Thank God the joke's on me
I am embracing my imperfections and shortcomings, finding humor in my mistakes and failures
We've seen the landfill rainbow
We have experienced the beauty in unlikely places
We've seen the junkyard of love
We have experienced the pain and heartbreak of failed relationships
Baby it's no place for you and me
We recognize that some experiences are not meant for our happiness or safety
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KARIN BERGQUIST, LINFORD DETWEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Turner
I was born to laugh
I learned to laugh though my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
Pour me a glass of wine
Talk deep into the night
Who knows what we'll find
Intuition, deja-vu
The Holy Ghost haunting you
Whatever you got
I don't mind
Put your elbows on the table
I'll listen long as I am able
There's nowhere I'd rather be
Secret fears, the supernatural Thank God for this new laughter Thank God the joke's on me
We've seen the landfill rainbow
We've seen the junkyard of love
Baby it's no place for you and me
I was born to laugh
I learned to laugh through my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
Jack Cox
Beautiful song, beautifully sung!
kyssed1
I had heard this on Bones and have started mulling through the lyrics. I think I needed this song in this moment in my life. Thank you for posting it for me to listen to it often. She is an amazing singer. Hearfelt and intuitive with how her lyrics flow with the music. Truely beautiful.
Pamela Darlene Woodward
I hope you have heard more than this one. They really wait for great,and don't push it.These are deep lyrics&yet very much to the point.And the liner notes are fantastic.I get perturbed about people buying great art,and put the Cds in a book. throw the case and LINER NOTES ON THE FLOOR. Liner notes are like the stocking on Christmas morning. Enjoy the band.And if you like these guy's. Check out the Brandi carlile band. Cheers,p.s oh my gosh,9 yrs ago.I didn't realize it was so long.
Yitzi Kaner
Yup. Lovely song, and heard it on Bones.
edfou5
I had the great good fortune to book this exquisite act at a theatre I was running in North Carolina last year. It was the only time in my 30 year career I had decided to book someone after hearing only one song, and this was the song. They were extraordinary in concert, I mean words fail, and lovely people to deal with. A very, very special couple. If you ever have a chance to see them, drive hours to do so. You'll never forget the experience.
Francesco Moretta
Heavenly ! One of the best songs I've ever heard in my luce ! Her voice is marvellous, something that comes from paradise !
mayvie21
Great song, beautiful voice !!
Ricardo Quevedo
Que canción más hermosa!! What a song! ;)
IamJanini
Karin Bergquist has such a beautiful voice. Someone introduced me to her song 'snowed in with you' which I'm going to perform. I don't usually listen to christian bands, but this is not just a christian band, as I'm finding out from this song. This is the heart of spirituality, and love, and emotion. This is passion in our human being.
Tze Leung Ho
What a great story!!! That's the power of good music!! And trust me, your Dad's music is not weird! And you will remember your dad as a person with "great" taste when you get older. oftentimes, to recognize great thing in life requires hard work!! Such as good music, movie, friendship or love. Many people don't even bother to dig deep and find it.