The duo were originally two of several members of the band of GOBBLE GOBBLE (now Born Gold). While on tour with Gobble Gobble, Roddick began experimenting with rnb and hip hop beats. James was asked to sing on a track called "Ungirthed," thus forming Purity Ring. The song was released in January 2011.
On April 3, 2012, Purity Ring announced that they were signed by media company 4AD world-wide and Last Gang Records in Canada. Later in the same month the band announced their debut album, Shrines, set to be released July 24, 2012. They also debuted the first single from the album titled "Obedear." On June 20, 2012, Purity Ring released another single from the album titled "Fineshrine." The album reached number 100 on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, it reached number thirty-two on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Dance/Electronic Albums.
Obedear
Purity Ring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where our wide toes plunged into the weeping shale to
Tear our skin up out from the bottom
Leaves our ankles bare
Don't just wander back and forth and leave it
Build it into pinnacles and shrines of some
Some ghastly predicament of mine you'll find
Me all coiled up near the bottom
With my chest un-bared
Oh, but dear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms
Oh, but dear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms
Obedear, the sky is low
Watch fluent sea men rig their rudders, so they'll
Graze it with their wind arrows
'Tis in the fathoms that, that they brush below, low
Oh, my dreams
Come back to me, back to me, back to
All my wrinkles
Build on me, build on me, build on
Oh, but dear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms
Oh, but dear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms
The lyrics of Purity Ring's song "Obedear" describe a rugged landscape where the singer is exploring. The "sleeping mountains" and "weeping shale" suggest an environment that is both desolate and beautiful. As they wander through this landscape, their ankles become bare from the rough terrain. The lyrics then shift to a more metaphorical sense, as they urge the listener to build "pinnacles and shrines" out of their hardships, a "predicament of mine you'll find." The following verse seems to suggest a more intimate relationship, as the singer's chest becomes "un-bared." They then return to the chorus, repeating "oh, but dear, the sky is low, gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms," the meaning of which is somewhat ambiguous, but can be interpreted as an exhortation to embrace the humbling, vulnerable aspects of existence.
There is a sense of beauty and mystery to the landscapes and metaphors in "Obedear." The song's lyrics and haunting melodies evoke a feeling of both wonder and unease. Purity Ring's music is often described as having a futuristic, otherworldly quality, and this song is no exception. The lyrics are rich in metaphorical imagery, encouraging the listener to consider the beauty of hardship and to embrace the vulnerability of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I came down over the sleeping mountains
Descending over mountains, our toes digging into the rock, tearing our skin, leaving us bare.
Where our wide toes plunged into the weeping shale to
Our toes digging deep into the shale, leaving us vulnerable.
Tear our skin up out from the bottom
Our skin departing from its natural position.
Leaves our ankles bare
Our ankles exposed.
Don't just wander back and forth and leave it
Don't be indecisive; build something meaningful.
Build it into pinnacles and shrines of some
Make something grand and meaningful.
Some ghastly predicament of mine you'll find
It may be difficult, but find a way to overcome it.
Leaves us plastered to a bed of hairs with
Taking root and becoming firmly entrenched.
Me all coiled up near the bottom
Me, vulnerable and exposed.
With my chest un-bared
With my emotions exposed.
Oh, but dear, the sky is low
The world can feel daunting and oppressive.
Gather up its harm and Gods with grateful arms
Take in the world's difficulties and embrace them with gratitude and appreciation.
Obedear, the sky is low
The world can be difficult, but we must carry on.
Watch fluent sea men rig their rudders, so they'll
Observe those who navigate difficult circumstances and learn from them.
Graze it with their wind arrows
Brave souls who can traverse the difficulties that come their way.
'Tis in the fathoms that, that they brush below, low
They find their way through dark and deep waters.
Oh, my dreams
My hopes and aspirations.
Come back to me, back to me, back to
Return to me and don't abandon me.
All my wrinkles
All of the hardships and difficulties I have faced.
Build on me, build on me, build on
Use those experiences to strengthen me and build on them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Corin Roddick, Megan James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deirdrestatham5730
No la te ta
I came down over the sleeping mountains where I
White toe splunged into the weeping shelter tower
Skin up from the bobbin
Leaves are opals bear
Doves just wonder back and four and leave it....
Am I close? :D
@thomasgooden
#danthemanplaylists
LYRICS:
I came down over the sleeping mountains
Where our white tones plunged
Into the weeping shelter
Tear our skin up out from the bottom
Leaves our ankles bare
Don't just wander back and forth and leave it
Build it into
Pinnacles and shrines
Of some,
Some ghastly predicament in mind
You'll find
Leaves us plastered to a bed of hairs
We'll be all coiled up near the bottom
With my chest, unbare it
Obedear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and gods
With grateful arms
Obedear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and gods
With grateful arms
Obedear, the sky is low
Watch fluids seem and rid their rudders
Oh, they'll
Grace it with their wind arrows
'Tis in the feathers that, that
They branch below, low
Oh my dreams,
Come back to me, back to me
Back to...
All my wrinkles,
Build on me, build on me
Build on...
Obedear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and gods
With grateful arms
Obedear, the sky is low
Gather up its harm and gods
With grateful arms
@krisplante120
Story time: Back in 2012 I went camping with my grandparents in Penticton, BC, Canada. We invited the couple that were staying next to us in the campsite over for happy hour, drink a bottle of wine and have some snacks. I was talking with the lady and we got on the conversation of how I just graduated audio school in Vancouver. She says her daughter makes music and is in a group called Purity Ring, out of Edmonton. I didn't think much of it but a couple years later I remembered the conversation and looked them up. Sure enough, there they were. Now it's 2021 and I've been listening to their music for a while. Cool stuff ✌️🍁
@Nextgenerationkdz
Nice story
@oohgurlshockmelikeanelectric
Lol I read another comment a while back that was basically the same story except it was her dad and it was in Hawaii. I'm glad that both her parents are so supportive because they're an incredible band
@mindywillshowyou
✌❤🌏⚖🙏♾
No coincidences!
@S4NDSTORM
💚💚💚💚
@ryanleclaire3948
They are very talented. Fantastic story!
@rachelballard8179
The series “search party” is what made me look for this song. It’s great I love it
@Zackaryah
Same!
@johnmckay8027
Same ahaha
@KILJAR
Same! Just watched season 1,2, and part of 3 in the span of 5 hours