Anthem
Perla Batalla & Julie Christensen Lyrics
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at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.
I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring ...
You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
"Anthem" by Perla Batalla and Julie Christensen is a beautiful and inspiring song with deep philosophical and universal messages. The song has a clear theme of hope and perseverance even in the face of difficulty and darkness. The verses touch on the persistence of war and the lack of true freedom, but also the power of nature's timeless beauty and how it can be an incentive to keep moving forward.
The song's chorus is the most memorable and impactful part, focusing on the importance of ringing bells that still can ring, regardless of the imperfection that surrounds us. It advocates against the idea of perfectionism and suggests that it's the flaws and cracks in things that allow brightness and light in. Essentially, the message of "Anthem" speaks to the idea that one should treasure the imperfect things in life and find beauty in the flaws.
In conclusion, "Anthem" is a song about persevering through trying times and overcoming obstacles. It's a song of hope and the celebration of flaws that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
The birds they sang
The sound of birds singing
at the break of day
Early in the morning
Start again
A new day begins
I heard them say
The birds' song was like a message to me
Don't dwell on what
Don't focus too much on
has passed away
Things that are gone and can't be changed
or what is yet to be.
Or uncertain things that may or may not happen
Ah the wars they will
Ah, the wars will
be fought again
Happen again
The holy dove
Peace or love
She will be caught again
Peace or love will be harmed or taken away again
bought and sold
Traded like goods
and bought again
And traded again
the dove is never free.
Peace or love may never exist without being threatened or held back
Ring the bells that still can ring
Use what is still available to you
Forget your perfect offering
Don't worry about doing something perfectly
There is a crack in everything
Everything has a flaw
That's how the light gets in.
That's how one can learn to see beauty in the imperfection
We asked for signs
We looked for guidance
the signs were sent:
We received a message
the birth betrayed
Something hopeful that didn't turn out as expected
the marriage spent
Love that faded away
Yeah the widowhood
The sadness of losing something important
of every government --
Of every establishment in power
signs for all to see.
A message visible for all to understand
I can't run no more
I'm tired of trying to escape
with that lawless crowd
With people who do not follow morals
while the killers in high places
While those in power who cause harm
say their prayers out loud.
Claiming to be good while doing harm
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
But they have triggered, they have sparked
a thundercloud
A storm of emotions or conflict
and they're going to hear from me.
And I will make sure they know how I feel
You can add up the parts
You can analyze the details
but you won't have the sum
But you won't understand the whole picture
You can strike up the march,
You can start marching
there is no drum
Without rhythm or direction
Every heart, every heart
Every individual
to love will come
May find love
but like a refugee.
But feeling like an outsider or without a home
Ring the bells that still can ring ...
Use what is still available to you
Forget your perfect offering
Don't worry about doing something perfectly
There is a crack, a crack in everything
Everything has a flaw
That's how the light gets in.
That's how one can learn to see beauty in the imperfection
Ring the bells that still can ring ...
Use what is still available to you
Forget your perfect offering
Don't worry about doing something perfectly
There is a crack, a crack in everything
Everything has a flaw
That's how the light gets in.
That's how one can learn to see beauty in the imperfection
That's how the light gets in.
That's how one can learn to see beauty in the imperfection
That's how the light gets in.
That's how one can learn to see beauty in the imperfection
Contributed by Violet V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@60kirita
Lyrics: "Anthem"
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see.
I can't run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
A thundercloud
And they're going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring
You can add up the parts
But you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
@ulpana
Sounds like an interesting arrangement and I hope you have gotten a chance to perform what sounds like a lovely ritual. Post any results from any venue you manage to try this in. For some reason when you mention hand chimes replacing horns I'm wondering what that aural mesh would sound like with jazz vibes holding it all together. Gary Burton or Dave
Friedman (from Tim Buckley's migration into improvisational small combo jazz of late 60's early 70's)...For that matter,
also Buckley's touch-sensitive adept percussionist Carter C.C. Collins and his delicate intuitive electric guitarist Lee Underwood, who also has done some superb musical memoirs on that phase that turned out to be the last for the
transmigration of Buckley's soul...A positive Christian spin on old Judaic chanted Lamentations service mourning
over J-Salem...
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of Atonement Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
@dianaacademia9493
JC and PB , you're the most treasured jewels of Leonard Cohen....
@solowinterwolf
This performance let's in a lot of light. . .
@remyduranceau3542
Thank you Julie and perla for this beautiful interpretation which gives me chills every time.
It's beautiful to cry.
@LarWolkan
Even though the other back-up singers for Leonard were great, you two were always my favorite. I still watch the old Austin City Limits from from 1989 when i first discovered Leonard and you both! Thank you for the wonderful music! Happiness to you both!
@konnyturtle
one of the best live performances of all times. Julie and Perla sing in such a perfect manner that it's something supernatural!
@REMO55
SUPERBE ! La voix et l'expression de Perla Batalla ..... Incroyable, envoûtant, splendide !!!!
@48janis
One of the most beautiful songs ever..performed by two great singers .....LOVE
@user-rn2nt9cd1x
With love from Belarus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@elainewilson3866
My love for his music cannot be expressed in words...but the first time I heard this, it literally took me to my knees with tears flowing. Tears of joy.
@haklee
Kann und muss ich immer wieder anschauen. LC und Perla meine Lieblinge.