On September 22, 2009, Sea Wolf's sophomore album, White Water, White Bloom was released by Dangerbird Records. The album was produced by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk, M. Ward) at his studio in Omaha.
Sea Wolf contributed a song entitled “Song of the Magpie” to the audio book for Augusten Burroughs’ book “A Wolf at the Table.” Burroughs asked Sea Wolf’s Alex Brown Church to read the book and respond with an original song.
In addition to Alex Brown Church, the other members of Sea Wolf are currently Lisa Fendelander (keyboards), Theodore Liscinski (bass), Joey Ficken (drums), Nathan Anderson (guitar), and Joyce Lee (cello).
The band's third album, Old World Romance, was released in 2012.
After fulfilling Sea Wolf's contract with the label, the band took to Kickstarter in 2013 to fund a striped-down album with simliar tones to the early days of Sea Wolf. The project was fully-funded and released to backers in May 2014. The album, Song Spells, No. 1: Cedarsmoke was released on Spotify and on seawolfmusic.com as a free-or-pay-what-you-want in July 2014. Alex Brown Church stated that there are plans for additional "Song Spells" albums.
Old Friend
Sea Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even though you always were alone
You had to push against the fates
Just to make it
Make it through the gate
But now we're getting older
So now less action in the water
And we know enough
Stood upon the roof
Top on a night so clear
That the lights
From the city just disappeared
I know you
Don't believe me
When I believe in you
I know it could get much easier
If you want it to
Old friend come to me
Everything I was, I used to be
I went north and I went east
Follow in the footsteps of
Some beautiful beast
But now we're getting older
And we're growing up
So now less action in the water
And we know enough
Stood upon the roof
Top on a night so clear
That the lights
From the city just disappeared
I know you
Don't believe me
When I believe in you
I know it could get much easier
If you want it to
I know you
Don't believe me
When I believe in you
I know it could get much easier
If you want it to
Oh, how we used to run up in the park
Cool air, and eucalyptus leaves
Oh, how we'd look out
Out over the bay
Must've fallow through the gate
Couldn't wait to get away
I know you
Don't believe me
When I believe in you
I know it could get much easier
If you want it to
I know you
Don't believe me
When I believe in you
But I know it's getting easier
Like it's supposed to do
The beginning of "Old Friend" by Sea Wolf finds the singer welcoming an old friend back home. Although he has always been alone and had to face adversity to achieve success, his welcome is warm and accepting. As the song progresses, Sea Wolf contemplates the changes that come with growing older, laying out the vision of a quiet night watching the city, alone with an old friend. The singer is openly fond of his old friend, but acknowledges that the relationship is not without its difficulties. Even when the friend is resistant, the singer believes in him and the possibility of making things easier.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of nostalgia and a longing for simpler times. Memories of running through the park, looking out over the bay, and the scents of eucalyptus leave a wistful feeling in the listener. Yet, in spite of this yearning for the past, the song's emphasis ultimately falls on the present, suggesting that growing older and facing life's difficulties is a necessary part of living.
Overall, "Old Friend" by Sea Wolf is a song that explores the nature of friendship, maturity, and growing older. While acknowledging the difficulties of life, Sea Wolf ultimately emphasizes the importance of sticking together and making the most of the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Old friend come back home
Inviting an old friend back home
Even though you always were alone
Acknowledging that the friend was always alone
You had to push against the fates
The friend had to face challenges
Just to make it
To survive
Make it through the gate
Overcome and move on from challenges
But now we're getting older
Reflecting on getting older with the friend
And we're growing up
Acknowledging growth in maturity
So now less action in the water
Less excitement in life
And we know enough
Enough experience to have perspective
Stood upon the roof
Reflecting on a moment standing on a roof
Top on a night so clear
A clear, beautiful night
That the lights
The city lights
From the city just disappeared
Moment of peace away from city life
I know you
Acknowledging a friend's doubts
Don't believe me
Doubting the singer's words
When I believe in you
The artist has faith in the friend
I know it could get much easier
Life could be easier
If you want it to
If the friend embraces change and growth
Old friend come to me
Request for the friend's presence
Everything I was, I used to be
Reflecting on past self
I went north and I went east
Travelled to new places
Follow in the footsteps of
Emulating those who inspire us
Some beautiful beast
Metaphor for following instinct and passion
Oh, how we used to run up in the park
Reminiscing on youthful memories
Cool air, and eucalyptus leaves
Sensory details of the memory
Out over the bay
View of the bay
Must've fallow through the gate
Leaving past behind
Couldn't wait to get away
Excited for change
But I know it's getting easier
Life is getting easier for the friend
Like it's supposed to do
Life is meant to become easier with time
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ALEX BROWN CHURCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
May
This is one of the most melancholic songs I've ever heard. Sea Wolf is so underrated.
Tam Tam
You know those songs that you can just listen to at any time? The one you've heard countless times? You get that same feeling from it every time.
This is that song for me. Beautiful words, beautiful music.
junioremj
I was away on a business trip, my mom called me and told my dad was in a coma and I should come back. I got in the earliest flight and download a playlist to listen during the flight, and this song was on. By the time I arrived, my dad was still alive, but already gone. During the night he passed away. I try not to listen to this song, but sometimes I just have to.
AThousandWintersLong
I'm so sorry, how are you doing now? Wishing you all the best!
sufiblacksongkok
I hope you're doing okay now mate, do take care..
Annani 7
♡
cloud strife
tssss...
ThreeMinuteMiseryInc.
This is a timeless masterpiece. This has become part of me in these rough years.
Tails Camarillo
Sea wolf saved me from ending it all thank goodness theres still good music out there
Optimistic Pessimism
The way he starts off singing "Old friend come back home" gets me every time. I like this song so much that I might have to move it from the top of my playlist, I want it to always be this new and wonderful.