Mulvey self-released his first demo tape, Rabbit Talk, in 1992; this was followed that same year by his first major album Brother Rabbit Speaks (which was re-issued in 2001). Since then he has released more than a dozen albums. His music has featured on NPR's shows "All Songs Considered" and "Weekend Edition", as well as the television show "Felicity".
www.petermulvey.com
The Voice
Peter Mulvey Lyrics
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I want a deep, resonant, effortless voice
A big voice - bigger than me
I want to speak and hear the floorboards take it up
So that people hear me first with their bodies,
And only then with their ears
a voice, strong like an axe to cut through the silence
A voice to quicken the heart like drums in the night
I want to breathe a whisper that shivers like a star
Over some strange bethlehem on some cold stone
Circling some distant sun
I want a voice like the voice of many
The voice of a people
The voice of a nation
And with this voice I would cry freedom
And then I would speak peace
Peter Mulvey's "The Voice" is a song filled with deep yearning for a voice that is bigger than oneself. The opening lines, "I want a voice, I want a deep, resonant, effortless voice / A big voice - bigger than me," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer desires a voice that is not just heard but felt, one that can penetrate the souls of listeners and make them hear the message before the words. The desire for a voice that can reach people on a deeper level is expressed through the wish to have a voice that connects with the floorboards and resonates through the room.
The second verse goes on to describe the characteristics of the ideal voice. The voice should be "strong like an axe to cut through the silence" and "strange like distant flutes, to still the senses." These descriptions showcase the desire for a voice that is not just heard but experienced. The singer wants a voice that can quicken the heart like drums in the night. The final verse goes even further in expressing the desire for a voice that can move beyond Earthly boundaries. The singer states, "I want a voice like the voice of many / The voice of a people / The voice of a nation / And with this voice I would cry freedom / And then I would speak peace." These lines paint a picture of a voice that can not only connect with people on a spiritual level but also make a difference in the world.
Overall, the song is an expression of the human desire to be heard and understood, to have a voice that can make a difference. The lyrics express the desire for a voice that is not just heard but felt, one that can resonate with people on a deeper level. Peter Mulvey's "The Voice" is a tribute to the transformative power of a voice that can connect with others and make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
I want a voice
I desire to have a powerful voice that can make an impact
I want a deep, resonant, effortless voice
I want my voice to have a sonorous quality that requires no effort to project
A big voice - bigger than me
I want to be able to speak with a voice that commands attention
I want to speak and hear the floorboards take it up
I want my voice to be so strong that it resonates throughout the space I am in
So that people hear me first with their bodies,
I want to create a physical impact with my voice before people even hear my words
And only then with their ears
I want my voice to be so powerful that people feel it before they hear it
a voice, strong like an axe to cut through the silence
I want my voice to be strong enough to break through any noise or resistance
Strange like distant flutes, to still the senses
I want my voice to be unique, unusual, and calming
A voice to quicken the heart like drums in the night
I want my voice to inspire and energize people like the beat of drums
I want to breathe a whisper that shivers like a star
I want even my softest whispers to have a profound impact
Over some strange bethlehem on some cold stone
I want my voice to be heard in remote and unlikely places
Circling some distant sun
I want my voice to resonate throughout the universe
I want a voice like the voice of many
I want my voice to be representative of many people
The voice of a people
I want my voice to be a unifying force for a community
The voice of a nation
I want my voice to be a powerful symbol of the collective identity of a country
And with this voice I would cry freedom
I would use my voice to champion the cause of freedom
And then I would speak peace
Once freedom was achieved, I would use my voice to promote peace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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