Pallbearer released their debut album "Sorrow and Extinction" in February 2012 via Profound Lore Records to much critical acclaim.
The current line-up is:
Brett Campbell - vocals, guitar
Devin Holt - guitar
Joseph D. Rowland - bass
Mark Lierly - drums
An Offering of Grief
Pallbearer Lyrics
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As they bear the body of the sun
To lay at rest in the earth
Lay a shade on my eyes,
On the corners where mysteries are born
Let me search the distant stars for what is left of my ruin
Inhaling the stillness, I make silence my temple
A communion with the soul
In the shadows I wander
A solitary man, fearing not the hidden
But searching
In this harsh world of deception, I will stand up once more
And find within myself the strength to stumble again
The lyrics of "An Offering Of Grief" by Pallbearer are hauntingly beautiful, and they speak to the universal experience of grief and mourning. The song opens with an evocative image of clouds obscuring the sun's light, as if in mourning for its passing. The singer then asks for a "shade" to be laid over his eyes, so that he may search for the mysteries of his own grief.
The second stanza speaks to the power of silence in grief, as the singer declares it his "temple" and offers an "offering of grief" as a communion with his own soul. The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful, as the singer declares that he will stand up once more, even in a world of "deception." The strength to carry on comes from within himself, and he will find it, even if it means stumbling along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
In the twilight hour clouds obscure the bleeding light
It's sunset and the clouds are blocking the sun. The bleeding color of the sky is getting darker.
As they bear the body of the sun
The clouds are metaphorically carrying the sun away, leaving only darkness behind.
To lay at rest in the earth
The sun is setting below the horizon, as if it was being buried in the ground.
Lay a shade on my eyes,
I ask for something to protect me from the harshness of reality.
On the corners where mysteries are born
I want to look beyond the surface of things and explore the unknown.
Let me search the distant stars for what is left of my ruin
I seek to find something positive in the midst of my pain and suffering.
Inhaling the stillness, I make silence my temple
I use calmness and quietness to calm my mind and spirit.
And place an offering of grief
I give myself permission to feel sadness and mourn.
A communion with the soul
I connect with my innermost self and emotions.
In the shadows I wander
I am lost and wandering in the darkness, but not necessarily afraid.
A solitary man, fearing not the hidden
I am alone but unafraid of the mysteries of life and death.
But searching
I still seek to find meaning and understanding in my experiences.
In this harsh world of deception, I will stand up once more
Despite the difficulties, I will keep going and be resilient.
And find within myself the strength to stumble again
I will use my inner strength to overcome obstacles, even if it means failing sometimes.
Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.