While studying anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, McNally began singing and playing guitar in clubs. After graduating and honing her skills on the streets of Paris as a busker, she secured a deal with Capitol Records in 1997. McNally was intent on making an acoustic record and entered the studio with studio professionals including Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, and Greg Leisz. The resulting album Jukebox Sparrows was not released at the time.
In the interim, McNally opened for Stevie Nicks and Ryan Adams, and was part of the 1999 Girl's Room tour with Tara MacLean, Kendall Payne, and Amy Correia. She also modeled for Urban Decay cosmetics. In 2000, McNally issued the holdover EP Bolder Than Paradise. When Capitol finally issued Jukebox Sparrows in January 2002, it did so into a market that had already embraced such roots-flavored material as Ryan Adams and the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack. McNally embarked on a press tour, and spent the summer of that year supporting John Mellencamp. In late 2002, she released the Ran on Pure Lightning EP, a collaboration with songwriter Neal Casal.
In 2005, McNally returned with the country, blues, and soul influences on the album Geronimo. The album's June release was accompanied by a summer's worth of live dates. Early 2006 saw the release of McNally's third album, North American Ghost Music. Tour dates with Son Volt also coincided its release.
McNally took off most of 2008 and 2009 after the birth of her first child. She has resumed performing and recording and toured with Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women. In 2009 she released the album Coldwater with her band Hot Sauce. McNally currently resides near Oxford, Mississippi.
In 2013, McNally released Small Town Talk, a tribute album to the songs of Bobby Charles. In an interview, McNally said that she was a longtime friend of Bobby Charles and Small Town Talk was inspired by Charles' first, self-titled album from 1973
Weathervane
Shannon McNally Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the shadow of death, come across a man
His feet were planted in the ground
His hat in his hand
He said, "Hey, lovely lady
Won't you linger long and tell me a tale
Of love songs so sweet
For I've stood here so long
Weathervane of song
Holding down the spike
Waiting for lightening to strike
My eyes fell so low, they hit the ground
I mumbled my name
He said, "Girl, raise your eyes
Look at me, don't be afraid
It's all in your mind
It's only my skin that they took
I lived this life of loss for you
You've got to at least read the book"
Oh, I've stood here so long
Weathervane of song
Holding down the spike
Waiting for lightening to strike
He said, "Hey, lovely lady, what was it
Brought you through my valley floor?
All mornings come and gone
You never been here before
Said, "I ain't nobody made a road map
Lead you here
There are sign posts everywhere
But they ain't very clear"
Well, I followed myself
Through the wind, through the rain
Beyond all that stuff
Other side of the grave
I walked and I walked
Till I felt no pain
Till I felt no shame
Till I figured the game
Now I'm gonna stand here so long
Weathervane of song
Holding down the spike
Waiting for lightening to strike
In these lyrics from Shannon McNally's song "Weathervane," we see the singer walking through the valley of the shadow of death and coming across a man who stands with his feet planted in the ground and his hat in his hand. The man asks the singer to tell him a tale of love songs and failed evil. The man has been standing in the same spot for so long that he has become the weathervane of song, waiting for lightning to strike.
The singer is hesitant to look up at the man, but when she does, she realizes that he is not someone to be afraid of. He tells her that his skin has been taken from him, but that he has lived a life of loss for her, and she should at least read the book. The man then asks the singer what brought her through his valley floor, and she says that she followed herself through the wind and rain until she found the other side of the grave. Now she too will stand here for a long time, waiting for lightning to strike.
This song seems to be talking about the journey through life and the various challenges we face along the way. The man in the valley seems to represent the idea of waiting for something to happen, for lightning to strike, rather than taking action and making things happen for oneself. The singer, on the other hand, has embraced the journey and has found her way to the other side of the grave. This song encourages us to take charge of our own lives and not wait for something to come to us.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked through the valley
Starting my journey through a difficult and dark time in life
Of the shadow of death, come across a man
In a state of despair, met someone who seems to have been there for a while
His feet were planted in the ground
He seemed secure and grounded
His hat in his hand
Seemed humble and unassuming
He said, "Hey, lovely lady
Started a conversation with me in a friendly and respectful way
Won't you linger long and tell me a tale
Asked me to stay and share something from my own perspective
Of love songs so sweet
Asked me to share something positive and beautiful
And evil that's failed?"
Asked me to talk about something dark that has been defeated
For I've stood here so long
Explained that he has been through a lot and seen a lot
Weathervane of song
Used a metaphor to describe himself, someone who is waiting for inspiration and direction
Holding down the spike
Described his own persistence and willingness to stay put despite adversity
Waiting for lightening to strike
Expressed a desire for something transformative and powerful to come along
My eyes fell so low, they hit the ground
Admitted to feeling ashamed or unworthy
I mumbled my name
Felt disconnected or uncertain about myself
He said, "Girl, raise your eyes
Offered encouragement and support
Look at me, don't be afraid
Asked me to be confident and present
It's all in your mind
Explained that our experiences are shaped by our thoughts and beliefs
It's only my skin that they took
Described his own past struggles as something external and temporary
I lived this life of loss for you
Suggested that he had gone through challenges so that others might benefit from his experience
You've got to at least read the book"
Encouraged me to learn from the lessons of others
He said, "Hey, lovely lady, what was it
Continued the conversation with interest and curiosity
Brought you through my valley floor?
Asked me to reflect on how I had made it to this point in my life
All mornings come and gone
Acknowledged the passage of time and experiences
You never been here before
Recognized that each person's journey is unique
Said, "I ain't nobody made a road map
Admitted that there is no one-size-fits-all solution or approach
Lead you here
Pointed out that I had taken my own path to get here
There are sign posts everywhere
Suggested that there are guiding principles and resources available
But they ain't very clear"
Recognized that there is a lack of clarity or certainty in life
Well, I followed myself
Shared my own story and approach
Through the wind, through the rain
Explained that I had faced challenges and obstacles
Beyond all that stuff
Suggested that I had risen above those challenges
Other side of the grave
Used a metaphor to suggest that I had been changed or transformed
I walked and I walked
Described my own persistence and determination
Till I felt no pain
Suggested that I had healed and grown
Till I felt no shame
Suggested that I had overcome feelings of guilt or self-doubt
Till I figured the game
Suggested that I had gained understanding or insight
Now I'm gonna stand here so long
Expressed my own commitment and determination
Weathervane of song
Used a metaphor to describe my own artistic and creative aspirations
Holding down the spike
Suggested that I will remain steadfast and persistent
Waiting for lightening to strike
Suggested that I am open and receptive to inspiration and transformation
Contributed by Ethan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.