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.
Latter Days
Over the Rhine Lyrics
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This has all turned out to be
Lord knows we've learned the hard way
All about healthy apathy
I use these words pretty loosely
There's so much more to life than words
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken a toll, these latter days
Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails
Nothing much here but our broken dream
Oh, but baby, if all else fails
Nothing is ever quite what it seems
And I'm dying inside to leave you
With more than just cliches
There is a me you would not recognize, dear
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days
Tell them it's real
Tell them it's really real
I just don't have much left to say
They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days
The song "Latter Days" by Over the Rhine is a melancholic, introspective piece that explores the toll that life can take on a person. The opening lyrics, "What a beautiful piece of heartache, this has all turned out to be" set the tone for the rest of the song. Through the use of powerful, emotive language, the artist reflects on the bitter lessons learned through "hard-won" experiences, punctuated by the longing and agony of love lost.
The lyrics also touch on themes of self-discovery, exploring the idea of an "other" self that the artist has discovered within herself, and the acceptance of this self as a part of her being. This is communicated in the lines, "There is a me you would not recognize, dear, call it the shadow of myself." This sense of detachment is echoed in the final section of the song, with the line "Tell them it's real, tell them it's really real, I just don't have much left to say." The artist has come to terms with the reality of the world, and has been changed by these experiences, but feels unable to communicate the full extent of her innermost emotions.
Overall, the song is a powerful exploration of the complexities of life and the personal journeys that shape us. It is a touching, somber reflection that is sure to resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
What a beautiful piece of heartache
This situation has a certain beauty to it despite the pain it has caused
This has all turned out to be
This situation has played out in this way
Lord knows we've learned the hard way
It is well-known that we have learned from past difficulties
All about healthy apathy
We have learned the benefits of not letting our emotions take over us
I use these words pretty loosely
I'm not very precise with my language
There's so much more to life than words
Life is more than just words and language
There is a me you would not recognize, dear
I've gone through changes that have altered my personality
Call it the shadow of myself
I feel like a different version of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
If things begin happening before I arrive
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
Keep going without me, you are handling things beautifully
I really think I'll be okay
I believe that I will be fine despite any difficulties
They've taken a toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress
Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails
Life can be very difficult and painful
Nothing much here but our broken dream
All we have is our dream that hasn't worked out
Oh, but baby, if all else fails
If everything else goes wrong
Nothing is ever quite what it seems
Things are often not as they appear
And I'm dying inside to leave you
I want to move on and leave you behind but it hurts me
With more than just cliches
I want to express myself more authentically
Tell them it's real
Let others know that what has happened is true
Tell them it's really real
Emphasize that it is absolutely true
I just don't have much left to say
I have already said as much as I can
They've taken their toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress
They've taken their toll, these latter days
These recent days have caused a lot of damage and distress
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LINFORD JEROME DETWEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind