According to the Slow Songfacts, Sarah spent the early years of her life in Pakistan,having been born in Islamabad on 3rd June 1979, where her father was the chief-engineer of the enormous Tarbela Dam, 30 miles to the northwest of Islamabad. The youngest of seven children, living in an expat colony without TV or newspapers, Rumer and her family would often sing and write songs together. Her brother Rob gave Rumer her first guitar; which she taught herself to play, and on which, years later, she wrote all the songs on her debut album, Seasons of My Soul.
The singer/songwriter spent her teenage years in Carlisle at Newman School before leaving at 16 to pursue her ambition. It has been a hard slog but years later she is finally hitting the big time and gradually becoming a household name. She now hopes her success will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
Having had her single listed ahead of its release on both Radio 2 and Magic FM, she is also preparing to support Jools Holland on his UK tour this autumn – the finale being a show at the Albert Hall.
She also has a celebrity fan in the form of easy listening legend Burt Bacharach, who invited her to sing for him when she visited California.
Thankful
Rumer Lyrics
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And a warm wind picks up the fallen blossom
And sails in circles down the street
A lady cycles past with her hair in braids
As they're pulling down the awning to the train station cafe
I'm alive and I'm thankful
For this time
Six o' clock, summer afternoon
Next door's kids are playing in the yard
I'm doing the dishes at the window and the radio's playing 'Superstar'
And the sun falls down on the garden next door
But two young boys are fighting, till a woman appears at the door
And the fires and the fog and the falling leaves
Under October skies
You walked me home in the cold after closing time
As the leaves rushed by
How I want to be loved
How I need to be loved
Now that I've found you, I'd do anything for you
In the Forest of Angels that's where we laid you down
And I can hear whispers
When the first frost falls on the ground
You're alive, just be thankful
For this time.
Rumer's "Thankful" is a song that speaks to the beauty of life's simple moments. Throughout the lyrics, the artist sets vivid imagery of various instances of nature and human interactions, all of which leave her feeling alive and appreciative. The first verse paints a scene of springtime arriving, with blossoms falling and blowing in the wind. The artist witnesses a woman cycling by with her hair in braids, all while the busy city continues around them. In this moment, Rumer is struck with a sense of gratitude for simply existing in this time and place.
The second verse transitions to a summer afternoon, where Rumer is washing dishes and listening to the radio. She sees children playing next door and observes the way the sun falls on the garden. However, her peaceful moment is interrupted by two young boys fighting, and she watches as a woman intervenes to stop the conflict. The final lines of the verse reference fall and the changing of the seasons, with Rumer remembering walking home with a love interest as the leaves rushed by. Ultimately, the song ends with a powerful chorus that encourages listeners to feel thankful for the time they have on this earth.
Overall, "Thankful" is a song that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the world around us, while also reminding us to appreciate the people and moments that make life meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the first breath of springtime
The first signs of spring are present, indicating the arrival of a new season.
And a warm wind picks up the fallen blossom
A gentle breeze moves the petals that have fallen from the trees.
And sails in circles down the street
The wind carries the blossom petals along the road, swirling them around in circular motions.
A lady cycles past with her hair in braids
A woman rides her bicycle down the street, her hair braided neatly.
As they're pulling down the awning to the train station cafe
The canopy covering the entrance to the nearby cafe is being lowered.
I'm alive and I'm thankful
The singer is grateful for their existence.
For this time
The present moment is something to appreciate.
Six o' clock, summer afternoon
It is late afternoon in the summer, specifically around six o'clock.
Next door's kids are playing in the yard
Children from the neighboring house are outside, enjoying themselves.
I'm doing the dishes at the window and the radio's playing 'Superstar'
The artist is washing dishes while listening to the song 'Superstar' on the radio.
And the sun falls down on the garden next door
The sun is setting, casting light on the garden next to the house.
But two young boys are fighting, till a woman appears at the door
Despite the peaceful surroundings, two boys are arguing until a woman comes to intervene.
And the fires and the fog and the falling leaves
The singer is describing autumn weather conditions such as fires, fog, and falling leaves.
Under October skies
These weather conditions are taking place during the month of October.
You walked me home in the cold after closing time
The singer is recalling a time when they were accompanied home by someone they love after a night out.
As the leaves rushed by
The sound of the leaves blowing past is audible in the memory.
How I want to be loved
The artist desires to be loved in a certain way.
How I need to be loved
Being loved in this particular way is a necessity for the singer.
Now that I've found you, I'd do anything for you
The singer is willing to do anything for the person they have found and love.
In the Forest of Angels that's where we laid you down
The artist is remembering a time when they laid someone down in the Forest of Angels.
And I can hear whispers
The artist can hear soft, hushed sounds.
When the first frost falls on the ground
The whispers become audible when the first frost of the year touches the earth.
You're alive, just be thankful
The singer is reminding someone that's alive to appreciate the gift of life.
For this time.
The artist is urging gratitude for the present moment in time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARAH JOYCE, STEVE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind