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.
The Seahorse
Over the Rhine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wait till after dark.
Open up the ceiling, we'll be kneeling,
We'll be breathing on a spark.
Flying kites at midnight,
Such a dizzy height.
Up above the small town,
You can always tell me
Anything at all.
Think of all the times
You've let my lips move, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Suddenly I'm weightless.
Gravity is mine.
I see it with my eyes closed,
What my heart knows: we must leave this world behind.
'Cause when I wake from dreaming,
It's then I'm most alive.
Eye lids barely open, no words spoken,
Ah, but you were by my side.
You can always tell me
Anything at all.
Think of all the times
You've let my lips move, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh, what you're missing.
Don't you want to see what you're missing?
I can always tell you
Anything at all.
Break the alaba
ster,
Spill the perfume on my hands.
Whisper in my ear still,
With the seahorse in my bed.
In the first verse of Over the Rhine’s song “The Seahorse,” the band creates a sense of adventure and mystery with the imagery of a gold rush and darkness. The lyrics suggest the idea of opening up to something new and exciting, while kneeling and breathing on a spark. The second verse introduces the theme of escape, painting a picture of flying kites at midnight and pulling moonlight down. The lyrics express the need to leave this world behind because the feeling of weightlessness and the ability to see with one’s eyes closed reminds the singer of being most alive. The last verse reveals a sense of intimacy and trust as the band sings about being able to tell each other anything and whispering secrets in each other’s ears. Throughout the song, the band creates a mood of fantasy and shared emotional connection.
The chorus reinforces the idea of connection between lovers and the unique bond they share. The seahorse in the bed represents a symbol of this connection, as seahorses are known to have strong bonds between partners. The bridge section of the song suggests a desire to break free from social expectations and conventions. Breaking the alabaster and spilling perfume on the hands is a reference to the story of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, symbolizing the idea of radical self-expression and boldness. The song ends with the seahorse remaining as a symbol of the unbreakable bond between lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the goldrush.
An introduction to the quest for treasure.
Wait till after dark.
Timing is important, wait for the right moment.
Open up the ceiling, we'll be kneeling,
Breaking through barriers to connect with something higher.
We'll be breathing on a spark.
Adding life and energy to something that has potential.
Flying kites at midnight,
Taking risks and exploring new things when everyone is asleep.
Such a dizzy height.
Going beyond the ordinary and feeling a rush of excitement.
Up above the small town,
Rising above everyday life and seeing things from a new perspective.
Pulling moonlight down and wearing it skin tight.
Absorbing and embodying the beauty and mystery of the night.
You can always tell me
Anything at all.
A reassuring invitation to share thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Think of all the times
You've let my lips move, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Reflecting on the power of listening and being heard.
Suddenly I'm weightless.
Feeling free from constraints and burdensome emotions.
Gravity is mine.
Taking control of one's own destiny and path in life.
I see it with my eyes closed,
What my heart knows: we must leave this world behind.
Trusting intuition and recognizing the need to move beyond the physical world.
Cause when I wake from dreaming,
It's then I'm most alive.
Acknowledge the importance of dreams and imagination in creating a fulfilling life.
Eye lids barely open, no words spoken,
Feeling a sense of peace and connection that goes beyond language and surface-level interactions.
Ah, but you were by my side.
Sharing this moment of transcendence with a trusted companion.
Oh, what you're missing.
Don't you want to see what you're missing?
Inviting others to step outside their comfort zones and discover new experiences.
I can always tell you
Anything at all.
Returning the offer of a safe space for sharing and connection.
Break the alaba
The final word is cut off, leaving the listener to imagine the incompleteness and imperfection of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARIN MICHELE BERGQUIST, LINFORD JEROME DETWEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind