Forster met McLennan during drama classes at the University of Queensland and, inspired by a mutual love of Bob Dylan and the New York music scene, they formed the Go-Betweens in 1977. In addition to his work with the Go-Betweens, Forster has released several solo albums, including: Danger in the Past, recorded in Berlin in 1990; Calling from a Country Phone, recorded at Sunshine Studios, Brisbane, in 1993 with members of local pop group Custard; I Had a New York Girlfriend, a collection of cover versions recorded in Melbourne in 1994; Warm Nights, recorded in London in 1996 and produced by Edwyn Collins; and The Evangelist, recorded (all but one track - "A Place to Hide Away") at Good Luck Studios, London, September - November 2007 with long time collaborators Glenn Thompson and Adele Pickvance.
Critically-acclaimed internationally as a songwriter, Forster reveals a strong literary influence in his work. In 2005, Forster began writing for the Australian magazine, The Monthly. Prior to this he had virtually no print experience, with only a column on hair care for a fanzine in the 1980s to his credit. On 25 October 2006, it was announced that Forster was the winner of the Pascall Prize for Critical Writing for his columns.
On 6 May 2006, Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Brisbane. Forster picked three songs co-written by Grant McLennan, including "Demon Days", which is the last song the pair wrote together, and recorded them alongside some of his own material to produce his first album in 11 years. The Evangelist was released on April 26, 2008 through Yep Roc Records.[5]
Forster announced his return to live performance with four nights at the Queensland Music Festival in July 2007.
Let Your Light in Babe
Robert Forster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lent my back again, up against the church and went back inside
There was a woman and a child whom I'd not seen
And Mrs Ellis said, ""The woman is a friend, new to this town, a mother and a child.""
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
I live by myself, a mile from the church and do my work at home
The house was a gift, given from a friend on whom I used to care
Named Silius Farm, though it's not a farm, but a house amidst trees
And Mrs Ellis said, but I stopped her and said, ""They can stay with me.""
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
And don't you be afraid
(later), Mrs Ellis said, 'Now are mother and child well?""
I said, ""They are well
The mother is in bed. The child is at school and I must be rushing home!""
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
And don't you be afraidLet your light in
Let your light in
Let your light in
Let your light in
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in, babe
Let your light in
The song Let Your Light in Babe by Robert Forster tells a story about a man who encounters a woman and her child at his church. Mrs. Ellis introduces the woman as a friend who is new in town and a mother. When the man offers to let them stay with him, Mrs. Ellis asks about the well-being of the mother and child at a later time. The man states that they are both well, and he must be on his way. The chorus encourages the woman and the child to "let your light in" and not to be afraid.
The lyrics of the song seem to have a deeper message. The woman and child are new to town and are in need of help. The man offers them assistance, and in doing so, becomes a beacon of light for them. The chorus seems to be an encouragement for the woman and child to let their guards down and allow the light and love that the man is offering to fill their lives. The song shows that a small act of kindness can go a long way in helping others.
Line by Line Meaning
Mrs Ellis said, "There's someone you should meet here in the church."
A woman in need was brought to the singer's attention at church by Mrs. Ellis.
I lent my back again, up against the church and went back inside
The singer left the church and leaned against it to consider how they could help the woman in need.
There was a woman and a child whom I'd not seen
The singer came back into the church and met the woman and child whom they hadn't seen before.
And Mrs Ellis said, "The woman is a friend, new to this town, a mother and a child."
Mrs. Ellis provided some additional information about the woman in need, who was new to town and had a child with her.
Let your light in, babe
The artist is encouraging someone, likely the woman in need, to let their light shine and be hopeful.
And don't you be afraid
The singer is reassuring the woman in need to not be afraid and to stay hopeful.
I live by myself, a mile from the church and do my work at home
The singer lives alone about a mile away from the church and works from home.
The house was a gift, given from a friend on whom I used to care
The artist's house was a gift from a friend they used to take care of.
Named Silius Farm, though it's not a farm, but a house amidst trees
The artist's house is called Silius Farm, but it is not actually a farm but a house surrounded by trees.
And Mrs Ellis said, but I stopped her and said, "They can stay with me."
Mrs. Ellis may have been making suggestions about where the woman and child could stay, but the artist interrupted and offered for them to stay with them.
Let your light in, babe
The singer is still encouraging the woman in need to stay hopeful and let their light shine in difficult times.
And don't you be afraid
The artist continues to reassure the woman in need to not be afraid and to stay hopeful.
(later), Mrs Ellis said, 'Now are mother and child well?"
At a later point, Mrs. Ellis asked the singer how the woman and her child were doing.
I said, "They are well. The mother is in bed. The child is at school and I must be rushing home!"
The singer informs Mrs. Ellis that the woman and child are well, with the mother resting in bed and the child at school, and that they have to hurry home.
Let your light in, babe
The singer reiterates their previous encouragement to the woman in need to stay hopeful and let their light shine.
And don't you be afraid
The artist continues to reassure the woman in need to not be afraid and to stay hopeful.
Let your light in
The artist encourages the woman in need to allow her inner light to shine and not to give up hope.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER, GRANT WILLIAM MCLENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind