Based in San Francisco, California since 1997, the band Tea Leaf Green is T… Read Full Bio ↴Based in San Francisco, California since 1997, the band Tea Leaf Green is Trevor Garrod (Keys), Josh Clark (Guitar), Scott Rager (Drums), Cochrane Mcmillan (Drums, Percussion, from Apollo Sunshine), and Reed Mathis (Bass; from Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey who joined TLG when Ben Chambers left the band "to pursue life's other passions"). Steve Adams (Bass; from ALO) also played some shows on bass mainly in the interim between Ben and Reed. The band has steadily gained momentum and picked up new fans since their eponymous debut album Tea Leaf Green in 1999. Their music is a mix of Jam, Classic Rock, Folk, Singer/Songwriter, and Jazz. However, labeling this group proves to be more difficult than one might expect. When asked how they would describe themselves, they often respond that they are a "Rock n' Roll band" and they released a live album and DVD called Rock 'N' Roll Band. Their ability to pull off a wide variety of styles makes their music dynamic yet always recognizable. The distinct voices of Trevor Garrod and Josh Clark contribute to stylistic identity and diversity, with Trevor singing lead vocals the majority of the time.

In 1999 Tea Leaf Green released their debut album Tea Leaf Green.

Next Tea Leaf Green released Midnight On The Reservoir.

In 2003 Tea Leaf Green released Living In Between.

In 2006 Tea Leaf Green released Taught To Be Proud on their own record label, the fourth and final album with founding band member Ben Chambers on bass.

In 2008 Tea Leaf Green released Raise Up The Tent on Surfdog Records, recorded 2 weeks after Reed Mathis joined the band on bass.

In 2010 Tea Leaf Green released Looking West on independent, an album of older songs newly recorded and mixed wtih Reed Mathis.

In 2011 Tea Leaf Green released Radio Tragedy! on independent, the first TLG studio album with dual drummers with Cochrane on drums and percussion.

Join up with fellow leafers on the forum and find more info at http://www.tealeafgreen.com.

Shelter
Tea Leaf Green Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everyone needs shelter
From the wind or hot sun
A place to sleep while darkness
Screeches like a barn owl

Or when the sky is fed up
Wants to wash away our wicked ways
Everyone needs shelter

A little place to hide away

Where your worries are ignored
Leave your boots outside the door
And your baby's arms are warm

No one asked to be born
No one's given any choice
You may have a silver spoon
Or be singing with a golden voice

But there are places in the world
Where the luck's already gone
What good is luck if you don't have
Anything to bet it on

And your worries never cease
You're burdened like a beast
And you don't know what it means
To get what you need

The tyranny of stupid man
Can cut the hearts from countless calls
The rest of us will cheer and swear
There was nothing really there at all

But if you join a caravan
Cross the desert, free yourself
Who can blame the weary hands
That brake the chains that hold them down

You set your worries down
finally homeward bound

And your baby's love is found
Where your worries are ignored

Overall Meaning

Tea Leaf Green's song Shelter reflects the universal need of people to have a place of refuge - a shelter - from life's harsh realities. The song speaks of the importance of having a place to sleep, a safe haven where worries can be left behind and where one can always find love and warmth. The lyrics emphasize that everyone deserves a shelter, regardless of their social status or background. It captures the essence of how basic human needs such as food, water, and shelter are often taken for granted, yet they are fundamental to our existence.

The song speaks of the harsh realities of life that many people face, particularly those who lack access to basic necessities of life. It highlights the fact that there are places where luck has run out, where survival is a daily struggle, and stress becomes a constant burden. The song's lyrics suggest that hope and refuge are sought from different places including joining a caravan, crossing the desert, and freeing oneself. In the end, the song suggests that finding one's way to a shelter where worries are ignored is the ultimate solution to life's challenges.

In conclusion, Shelter is a powerful song that speaks to people's fundamental need for providing a shelter - a basic necessity of life. The song's lyrics remind us that regardless of our station in life, everyone deserves to have a safe haven where they can find warmth, love, and a peaceful respite. It encourages us to think of the role we can play in supporting those most vulnerable in our society and providing them with the much-needed shelter.

Line by Line Meaning

Everyone needs shelter
A universally relatable truth that every human being requires a place of protection or solace.

From the wind or hot sun
Protection required from the harsh climate conditions of wind and sun.

A place to sleep while darkness
A place to sleep and rest during the dark hours of the night.

Screeches like a barn owl
A metaphor referring to the disturbing sounds of darkness resembling the screeches of an owl in a barn.

Or when the sky is fed up
A reference to an angry sky, ready to release its fury through rain or other elements.

Wants to wash away our wicked ways
A metaphorical reference to the cleansing and rejuvenating effect of rain or other natural phenomena.

A little place to hide away
A small, secure haven to escape from the chaos and stress of the outside world.

Where your worries are ignored
A place where one can forget about their worries and anxieties.

Leave your boots outside the door
A tradition of removing dirty footwear before entering a clean, comfortable space.

And your baby's arms are warm
The warmth and comfort generated from embracing a baby or loved one in a safe environment.

No one asked to be born
A reflection of the random nature of life and how nobody has control over their birth or existence.

No one's given any choice
A commentary on the lack of control and freedom people have over their lives.

You may have a silver spoon
A reference to the privilege some individuals are born into with wealth and status.

Or be singing with a golden voice
A reference to innate talent, such as singing ability.

But there are places in the world
Recognition that economic and social disparities exist in the world and some people do not have access to basic necessities.

Where the luck's already gone
A reference to people living in areas where the circumstances are against them, rendering them 'unlucky.'

What good is luck if you don't have
A rhetorical question about the significance of luck if it does not provide anything to live on or raise hope.

Anything to bet it on
A metaphor about the importance of having the capability to use one's luck or opportunity and grow.

And your worries never cease
Acknowledgment of perpetual worries and anxieties that may remain despite being in a safe, secure space.

You're burdened like a beast
Reference to how anxiety can weigh someone down and limit them, almost like an added weight of a wild animal.

And you don't know what it means
A reflection of the difficulty of understanding others' struggles when one is not familiar with them personally.

To get what you need
Commentary on how some individuals may have basic requirements unfulfilled, making it hard to progress through life and achieve opportunities.

The tyranny of stupid man
An allusion to the power imbalance and unfairness caused by oppressive, ignorant people.

Can cut the hearts from countless calls
A metaphorical description of how those in power can ignore and dismiss the cries of the powerless.

The rest of us will cheer and swear
A comment on the tendency of people to react with violence or cruelty when they witness such behavior from those in power.

There was nothing really there at all
Criticism of the people in power, who often claim to have the best interests of their subjects in mind but do not do anything substantial for them.

But if you join a caravan
A suggestion that people can overcome their struggles by coming together and supporting each other.

Cross the desert, free yourself
A metaphor about how traveling through a difficult terrain can help a person overcome their fears and strengthen their resolve.

Who can blame the weary hands
A commentary on how hardworking people living in harsh conditions should not be blamed for leaving in search of a better experience.

That brake the chains that hold them down
A reference to how oppressive systems can limit someone's opportunities and aspirations.

You set your worries down
A suggestion that by clearing out external stressors, one has the capability to approach issues at the center of their troubles.

finally homeward bound
A reference to the relief of a person finally arriving at a safe, comfortable space after a long journey.

And your baby's love is found
The love and comfort of a child making everything that was previously difficult worthwhile.

Where your worries are ignored
Reinforcement that a safe environment can help a person forget their stresses and problems.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Trevor Garrod

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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