The band is one of the few outfits still burning with the fire of punk, but managing to combine it with the ideals and knowledge of English folk music - a balancing act they've made into a fine art over the years. And they have deep roots in the U.K. folk scene, emerging from both the Whitstable Oyster Co. Ceilidh Band, which formed in 1975, and Fiddler's Dram, a group put together in 1973 by Dave Arbus, whose fiddle work had graced releases by East of Eden and the Who.
Prosser, Telfer, and Taylor were also in Fiddler's Dram, whose moment of fame arrived in 1979 with the British hit single "Day Trip to Bangor" - released after they'd split up. They reconvened for a last album when Kearey joined them. He also became part of the band's alter ego, the roots-oriented Oyster Ceilidh Band, as they'd now become. With Fiddler's Dram no longer extant, the members put their energies in the newly renamed Oyster Band in 1981, playing gigs around England and self-releasing albums on their own Pukka label.
The band returned in 2003 after the longest recording layoff of its career with Rise Above, which included eight originals and two English traditional numbers, and featured the work of Irish piper James O'Grady throughout.
In 1990, the band collaborated with renowned folk singer June Tabor for the album Freedom and Rain and a tour.
Current Lineup:
Chopper - bass guitar, cello, vocals
John Jones - melodeon, lead vocals
Alan Prosser - guitars, viola, vocals
Ian Telfer - fiddle, English concertina, vocals
Dil Davies - drums
http://www.oysterband.co.uk/
We Shall Come Home
Oysterband Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes the shadows longer
Wise blood, cut and run
Away, away
Wild wood, setting sun
It makes the shadows stronger
I need to touch someone
At the dying of the day
Wild wood, bush and briar
It makes your feet to stumble
Wise blood, the sky's on fire
Away, away
Wild wood, bush and briar
It makes your hands to tremble
Love, you mustn't tire
At the dying of the day
CHORUS
Like the child that needs protection
For whom his mother prays
Through a world that needs correction
We wander all our days
Wild to make our mark
We shall come home
We shall come home
We shall come home
We shall come home before dark
Wild wood, dark and deep
This is a world of danger
Wise blood, better keep
Away, away
Wild wood, dark and deep
The world is getting stranger
Love, don't fall asleep
At the dying of the day
CHORUS
We shall come home
We shall come home
We shall come home
We shall come home before dark
Oh ...
We shall come home ...
We shall come home ...
We shall come home ...
... Home ...
The lyrics of Oysterband's song, "We Shall Come Home" illustrate a story about a journey through the wild woods at sunset, where shadows are longer, and the world is filled with dangers. The two elements of naturism and circadian rhythm go hand in hand as they symbolize the relationship between humanity and nature. The lyrics also suggest the search for something or someone to fill a void. The line, "I need to touch someone at the dying of the day" echoes a sense of solitude and longing for human connection, which could also depict the fear of being alone in the wild woods.
In addition, the chorus suggests a notion of a journey filled with danger and uncertainty, just like a child being protected by their mother. However, it is important to keep moving forward to make a difference and leave a mark on the world; despite facing several obstacles, they shall come home. "We shall come home" could indicate a sense of finding solace and comfort in a place called "home," which is beyond the physical boundaries of brick and mortar, a place of belonging, acceptance, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild wood, setting sun
The forest at sunset is beautiful but foreboding, creating longer shadows.
It makes the shadows longer
The way the sun sets causes the shadows of the trees to grow longer.
Wise blood, cut and run
Our instincts tell us to escape danger.
Away, away
Escaping from danger must be done quickly.
Wild wood, bush and briar
Danger is present in the thorny underbrush.
It makes your feet to stumble
Walking through the brush is treacherous and one could easily fall.
Wise blood, the sky's on fire
The sky looks like it's burning, indicating danger and urgency.
Wild wood, bush and briar
The dense forest can make us feel trapped and lost.
It makes your hands to tremble
The intensity of the situation can makes us feel emotionally and physically unstable.
Love, you mustn't tire
We must continue to be strong for each other in difficult times.
Like the child that needs protection
We are all vulnerable and need guidance and support.
For whom his mother prays
A mother's love and guidance can provide comfort and strength.
Through a world that needs correction
The world is full of hardship, but we can work toward making it better.
We wander all our days
Life is a journey and we are all searching for purpose and meaning.
Wild to make our mark
We are driven by the desire to leave our mark on the world.
We shall come home
We will eventually return to a place of safety and belonging.
We shall come home before dark
We hope to return home while there is still hope and light in the world.
Wild wood, dark and deep
The ominous forest is now darker, more dangerous, and more confusing.
This is a world of danger
The world can be a dangerous place full of unseen danger.
Wise blood, better keep
We must use our instincts to stay safe and avoid danger.
Love, don't fall asleep
We must remain alert and aware of the dangers around us.
We shall come home ...
No matter what happens, we will find our way back home.
... Home ...
Home is a safe and comforting place where we feel loved and supported.
Contributed by Audrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.