Shindell's songwriting often involves storytelling from a first-person point of view: for example, from an INS officer and illegal immigrant in "Fishing", to a World War II soldier in "Sparrows Point", to a Confederate drummerboy in "Arrowhead", to an Argentine grandmother of Plaza de Mayo in "Abuelita", to a power broker in "Confession".
His first album was released in 1991. Shindell collaborated with Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky to form the group Cry Cry Cry. On their eponymous 1998 album, Cry Cry Cry covered an eclectic mix of songwriters, from the famous R.E.M. to the lesser known folk singer James Keelaghan. The trio toured in support of their album, but later resumed their solo careers. They have not mentioned plans for future recordings, although Shindell and Kaplansky often appear on stage together. Shindell's "The Ballad of Mary Magdalen" (as performed by Cry Cry Cry) was used in the background during an ABC News Nightline report on The DaVinci Code.
Shindell's career received a boost in 1997 when Joan Baez recorded three of his songs ("Fishing", "Reunion Hill" and "Money for Floods") for her album Gone from Danger, and invited him to join her 1997-98 tour.
In 2000, Shindell released Somewhere Near Paterson (Signature Sounds), which quickly became his most successful release to date and established Shindell as one of the premier performing songwriters in popular music.
Somewhere Near Paterson was followed by Courier, the live reprise of many of Shindell’s best-loved songs, in support of which he continues to tour.
Also in 2000, Shindell and his family moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he recorded his latest album, Vuelta, released in 2004. He joined up with an Argentine group, Puente Celeste, to create a unique sound for his newest work.
He released Somewhere South of Delia, a record of cover songs, March 2007.
Discography:
Sparrows Point (1992)
Blue Divide (1995)
Reunion Hill (1997)
Somewhere Near Paterson (2000)
Courier (2002)
Vuelta (2004)
Somewhere South of Delia (2007)
Not Far Now (2009)
13 Songs You May Or May Not Have Heard Before (2011)
Tomorrow You're Going (2015), with Lucy Kaplansky
Careless (2016)
Spring
Richard Shindell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another sunrise in the east
It will reach across and touch you like a lover
It will tease you from a dream
And opening your eyes you will surrender
To the light that fills the room
And the hope that you have carried since September
Maybe will be certain
You can take it as a vow
Winter's just the curtain
Spring will take the bow
Looking out your window you will wonder
At the blooming in your yard
And evry opening flower will be a mirror
Of the quickening in your heart
(chorus)
The day will begin like any other
Another sunrise in the east
It will reach across and touch you like a lover
It will tease you from a dream
You won't remember
(chorus)
Richard Shindell's song "Spring" describes the beginning of a new day, which is marked by a sunrise in the east that touches and teases the listener from their dream. As they open their eyes, they surrender to the light that fills the room and offer up the hope they have carried since September to the coming of June. The mention of seasons highlights the passage of time and the promise of renewal that comes with each natural cycle.
The lyrics then delve into the imagery of blooming in the yard and how it mirrors the quickening of the heart. The blossoms serve as a reflection of the hope that has been building up within the listener and how it is finally being realized. The repetition of the first verse and chorus emphasizes the idea that this new beginning is just like any other, but its significance cannot be overlooked.
"Spring" is a song that captures the essence of new beginnings and the hope they bring. It speaks to the natural cycles of life and the way we can find renewal and rejuvenation within them. The simplicity of the lyrics is elevated by the metaphorical language and the nostalgic emotions it brings forth.
Line by Line Meaning
The day will begin like any other
The new day will start in the same way as every other day.
Another sunrise in the east
The sun will rise in the east, like it always does.
It will reach across and touch you like a lover
The sun will pass through the window and touch you, like the touch of a lover.
It will tease you from a dream
The sun will wake you up from a dream, softly teasing you to start the day.
And opening your eyes you will surrender
When you open your eyes, you'll surrender yourself to the day that has arrived.
To the light that fills the room
The light that fills the room will give you energy to start the day.
And the hope that you have carried since September
The hope that you've carried since September comes alive with the spring.
You will offer up to June
You'll give yourself to the promise of the month of June, when the season is in full bloom.
Maybe will be certain
The possibility of the future will feel certain.
You can take it as a vow
You can consider it as a promise for the future.
Winter's just the curtain
The harsh winter was just the stage backdrop, waiting for the main act.
Spring will take the bow
Spring will take the stage and be the star, showing its beauty.
Looking out your window you will wonder
Looking through the window, you'll be amazed at the beauty of the nature that has awakened.
At the blooming in your yard
You'll see flowers blooming in your own yard, a testament to the arrival of spring.
And evry opening flower will be a mirror
Each blooming flower will reflect the quickening of your own heart, as it awakens in spring.
Of the quickening in your heart
The blooming flowers will represent the quickening of your own heart that's awakening with the onset of spring.
(chorus)
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the arrival of spring.
You won't remember
You won't remember how it felt to be waiting for spring, because it's finally here.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SHINDELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind