The duo began with two guitars, a junkyard drum kit (harvested from an actual garbage heap- adorned with tamborines, flowers and kitchen rags), a handful of harmonicas, voices, and above all.. songs. Cary Ann Hearst & Michael Trent prefer to keep it simple. They have cleverly managed to take 3 separate recording projects and combine them into 1 cohesive, folk rock, sloppy tonk, harmonized, loose but tight, streamlined audience killing machine.
Michael Trent (Texas/Colorado) has just released his second solo album entitled "The Winner", and Cary Ann Hearst (Mississippi/Tennessee) is about to release her second record "Lions & Lambs". Together hey have one duo release "Shovels & Rope" which was came out in 2008 and are currently working on the follow up "Shovels & Rope V.2" in their house, van, and backyard. At the shows, expect to hear a little something from any or all of these releases - while the duo switch instruments and share lead vocal duties. Also prepare to rethink your definition of a live rock band.
Late Morning Lullaby
Shovels & Rope Lyrics
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Yesterday is gone now and panic sets in
With a weight upon my chest
And a ghost upon my back
And the numbing sensation of everything
I lack that leaves me
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Your real world away
And beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes, lie
Only beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes cry
Singing late morning lullaby
The first sign of morning is gray and alarming
It's so disappointing the day has come so soon
While the rest of the world greets the day and feels new
I will push it away just like I always do, I will be
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Your real world away
And beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes, lie
Only beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes cry
Singing late morning lullaby
Late morning lullaby
I would darken my window so I can fall asleep
While the critics frown down on the hours
I keep that leave me
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Your real world away
The lyrics to Shovels & Rope's song "Late Morning Lullaby" convey a sense of emotional vulnerability and escapism. The singer immediately sets the scene of their mind drifting away as soon as their eyes shut, suggesting a desire to escape from reality. The mention of a slide show implies a flashback of memories, where they feel panic and a heavy weight on their chest, possibly indicating a sense of regret or unresolved emotions from the past. The ghost on their back symbolizes a lingering burden or unresolved issues that continue to haunt them.
The line "And the numbing sensation of everything I lack" reflects a feeling of emptiness or dissatisfaction with oneself and life. It suggests that the singer is yearning for something more, and their dreams become a way to compensate for what they perceive as missing in their real world.
The chorus emphasizes the beauty of someone's eyes, but it shows a contradiction - while they are beautiful, those eyes also cry. This juxtaposition suggests that even something seemingly perfect can have its own struggles and pain. The mention of a late morning lullaby conveys a sense of longing for a time of peace and tranquility, perhaps indicating a desire to escape the pressures and responsibilities of the day.
The second verse introduces the disappointment of the morning, which is portrayed as gray and alarming. This contrasts with the rest of the world, which seems to embrace the morning and feels refreshed. The singer, however, wants to push the day away, continuing their pattern of escape through dreaming. This hints that they may be avoiding facing the challenges and realities of life, choosing instead to retreat into a dream-like state.
The lyrics end with a reference to darkening the window to fall asleep, potentially indicating the symbolic act of shutting out the outside world. The mention of critics frowning down on the hours suggests societal judgment and pressure to conform to a conventional lifestyle. Despite this disapproval, the singer continues to embrace their dreams as a means of escape, once again highlighting the longing for a different reality.
Overall, "Late Morning Lullaby" explores themes of escapism, longing, and the conflict between the real world and the comfort found in dreams. The lyrics depict a desire for something more fulfilling and a struggle to reconcile the pressures and expectations of society with personal happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
As soon as my eyes shut the slide show begins
The moment I close my eyes, my mind starts replaying memories and thoughts
Yesterday is gone now and panic sets in
The realization that the past is gone creates anxiety
With a weight upon my chest
Feeling a heavy burden or pressure on my heart
And a ghost upon my back
Carrying the haunting presence of past experiences
And the numbing sensation of everything
Feeling emotionally detached and overwhelmed by everything
I lack that leaves me
The absence of something essential leaves me
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Escaping into a world of dreams
Your real world away
Finding solace in a realm separate from reality
And beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes, lie
The eyes that appear beautiful hide the truth
Only beautiful, o beautiful bright eyes cry
Behind those beautiful eyes, there is pain and tears
Singing late morning lullaby
Expressing emotions through a soothing song during the late morning
The first sign of morning is gray and alarming
Waking up to a gloomy and unsettling start of the day
It's so disappointing the day has come so soon
Feeling disappointed that the day has arrived too quickly
While the rest of the world greets the day and feels new
While others embrace the day with a fresh perspective
I will push it away just like I always do, I will be
I will resist facing the day and continue to avoid it
I would darken my window so I can fall asleep
Closing the curtains to create darkness, hoping to drift into slumber
While the critics frown down on the hours
While judgmental voices disapprove of how I spend my time
I keep that leave me
Activities or thoughts that provide me solace or escape
Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming
Continuously seeking refuge in dreams
Your real world away
Seeking an alternate reality away from the actual world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandi M. Carlile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind