Orange has been recording and performing since his teen years within the Phil Elverum, Kyle Field, Calvin Johnson social circle. His debut, "We Could Be Each Other's Evidence" on Vit! Vit! Records, was released in 2002 when he was 16. His earlier recordings were experimental folk music in which he often accompanying himself on guitar. At this time, he was self-recording his albums using analog equipment. While Thanksgiving is essentially a solo act, Orange often collaborates with other musicians in his recordings and performances.
Orange co-founded Marriage Records, which presses albums and prints books by Thanksgiving, YACHT, Lucky Dragons, White Rainbow, Watery Graves, Privacy, Adrian Orange, A John Henry Memorial, and other Portland artists.
During 2006-07, he recorded as Adrian Orange & Her Band and, in 2007, as AOK.
Around The World
Thanksgiving Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you know that what you know
Is only ever what you've been shown
Worry, fear and anguish around the world
God knows I've seen it consume our hearts,
Chase them in caves and dig in graves, the dust
We're doomed just like a dragon
It's all for nothing, we're on our own, all alone
But I've seen the streaks of clarity in the raindrops, through the frost
And I've seen you bend your will dew(?*) like the river around the rocks
And in the world, the sky has always held you found and lost,
Where you can sing your new song, your blue jay song, your rooster cuckoo
And you will have the dignity of the dragon breathing fire
Where you will have your new voice
Go light (?*)
God knows you're grateful to be alive
The lyrics to Thanksgiving's song "Around The World" capture the duality of the world we live in. The first line, "Everything is given, nothing is due to you", speaks to the idea that the world and all that we have in it is a gift, something that we are not necessarily entitled to. The following lines, "And you know that what you know/ Is only ever what you've been shown", highlight the limitations of our own knowledge and the fact that we often live within the confines of our own personal experiences.
The song then shifts to a darker tone, acknowledging the worries, fears, and anguish that exist around the world. The next lines, "God knows I've seen it consume our hearts/ Chase them in caves and dig in graves, the dust", depict the destructive nature of these negative emotions and how they can lead people to isolate themselves and become buried in their own despair. The line, "We're doomed just like a dragon", equates the struggle of humanity to that of a mythical creature, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge.
However, the song offers a glimmer of hope. The next lines, "But I've seen the streaks of clarity in the raindrops, through the frost/ And I've seen you bend your will like the river around the rocks", shows that there is beauty in the world as well, and that people have the ability to adapt and persevere even in the face of adversity. The final lines, "Where you can sing your new song, your blue jay song, your rooster cuckoo/ And you will have the dignity of the dragon breathing fire/ Where you will have your new voice/ Go light/ God knows you're grateful to be alive", are a call to celebrate life and the uniqueness of each individual in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is given, nothing is due to you
You should be grateful for what you have without expecting anything in return
And you know that what you know Is only ever what you've been shown
Your knowledge is limited to what you've learned from others
Worry, fear and anguish around the world God knows I've seen it consume our hearts, Chase them in caves and dig in graves, the dust
There is a lot of pain and suffering in the world that we should not let consume us
We're doomed just like a dragon It's all for nothing, we're on our own, all alone
We may feel helpless and alone in this world despite our best efforts
But I've seen the streaks of clarity in the raindrops, through the frost And I've seen you bend your will dew(?*) like the river around the rocks
Despite the challenges, there are moments of clarity and resilience in life
And in the world, the sky has always held you found and lost, Where you can sing your new song, your blue jay song, your rooster cuckoo
The world can be both beautiful and unpredictable, and there are unique ways to express yourself
And you will have the dignity of the dragon breathing fire Where you will have your new voice Go light (?*)
Your voice and actions can be powerful and give you a sense of purpose
God knows you're grateful to be alive
Despite the challenges, there is much to be thankful for and celebrate in life
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.