Angels of Light include many New York City collaborators, including Dana Schechter of Bee and Flower, Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps, Larry Mullins aka Toby Dammit, Bliss Blood of The Moonlighters and Pain Teens, Thor Harris of Shearwater, and most recently the Brooklyn band Akron/Family.
Gira talks about the Angels project :
I write the songs on acoustic guitar, then gather musicians and friends, and build up the orchestrations with them in the studio and in live performances. I guide the process, but solicit their creative contributions actively. Each recording contains the contributions of an ever-changing plethora of amazing musicians, whom I thank here heartily!
After many years (too many to comfortably contemplate!) of dwelling on "sonic overload" with Swans, I now concentrate on augmenting the songs I write with orchestrations that support the basic song, rather than the sound itself taking over.
My goal is to achieve the same sense of magic I experienced as a child listening to Burle Ives recordings of Brer Rabbit and other such marvels, including the early Disney children's records I listened to long ago.
I view the arrangements as little films created to make a context for the words and voice, so that one can drift off into the world the music creates. I produce the Angels recordings, and the production of the recordings is as important to me as the songs themselves.
Most of the instruments used in the recordings are acoustic, but not all. Electric guitars, bass and drums etc., are sometimes used (as well as an occasional electronic sound, or loop), but I intentionally steer clear of a "Rock" sound. It doesn't interest me at all any more.
However, I have no particular fealty to "The Song" as if it were some sacred codex. On the other hand, just sitting around my house, writing these things, and finally coming up with a statement that I think makes sense, I want to bring them to life as much as possible, in new and challenging ways for both myself and you, so I always strive to present them in a fresh and interesting context.
For this reason, I'm always changing the sonic approach from record to record.
All Angels of Light albums have been released on Michael Gira's label Young God Records.
The name Angels of Light was first used by the spiritual theater group founded by drag queen Hibiscus of The Cockettes. It is not known whether Gira's group was named in homage to Hibiscus's similarly metaphysically-minded group.
My Sister Said
The Angels of Light Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If nothing will move I'll make it move for you
Broken wrist and bruisin' neck
I'll kill that man I'll kill that man
My sister said keep goin' now run away
Nothin' will move until you see a clear plain
Now its cold and dark the trees are bendin' down
I'll kill that man I'll kill that man
I'll hunt him down he'll understand what he's done to you
At first you will fail then you will recognize
The mistake was in giving what you never could own
You might be young now and you might be alone
You might have one thing that you do well
And people will tell you the world it looks this way
But they're all the same they're just useless waiting here
So hunt him down hunt him down
Hold him close love that man
So love that man love that man
Hold him close and say my name
Now kill that man kill that man
And love endless
My sister said its endless
The Angels of Light's song "My Sister Said" is a powerful and emotional anthem that speaks to the strength and resilience of survivors. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a sister who is offering support and encouragement to her sibling in the aftermath of abuse. The repeated chorus of "I'll kill that man" is a fierce declaration of the sister's willingness to avenge her sibling's pain, while also acknowledging the complexities and challenges of healing from trauma.
The sister's advice to "keep movin' child" in the face of stasis and despair is a call to action, urging the survivor to take control of their own life and seek a path towards healing and liberation. The lines "The mistake was in giving what you never could own / You might be young now and you might be alone" speak to the ways in which abuse can strip away a person's agency and self-worth. The sister's words are a reminder that the survivor is not defined by their trauma, and that there is always the possibility of growth and transformation.
The final lines of the song, "My sister said its endless," leave the listener with a sense of both tragedy and hope. While the scars of trauma may never fully fade, there is comfort and strength to be found in the bonds of love and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Why sister said keep movin' child
My sister encouraged me to keep moving forward, even though it may be difficult.
If nothing will move I'll make it move for you
If you feel stuck and unable to progress, I'll help you find a way forward.
Broken wrist and bruisin' neck
Physical injuries that are a result of abuse or violence.
I'll kill that man I'll kill that man
The artist feels intense anger and desire for revenge against the person who caused the injuries.
My sister said keep goin' now run away
My sister advised me to leave a bad situation and not look back.
Nothin' will move until you see a clear plain
You may feel stuck until you have a clear understanding of what you need to do to move forward.
Now its cold and dark the trees are bendin' down
The atmosphere is bleak, with a feeling of despair and isolation.
This house is a lie and I'll never forgive
The place where the injuries occurred is a symbol of betrayal and cannot be forgiven.
I'll hunt him down he'll understand what he's done to you
The artist desires justice and wants the abuser to experience the pain they caused.
At first you will fail then you will recognize
Initially, it may be difficult to succeed, but eventually you will come to understand what is necessary.
The mistake was in giving what you never could own
The singer recognizes that giving something they did not have control over was a mistake.
You might be young now and you might be alone
It is possible to feel lonely and unsure, especially when facing difficult circumstances.
You might have one thing that you do well
Even if there is only one thing you excel at, it is still a valuable skill to have.
And people will tell you the world it looks this way
Other people may have opinions or beliefs that you do not share.
But they're all the same they're just useless waiting here
The singer thinks that the opinions of others are unimportant and that they are not taking action.
So hunt him down hunt him down
The desire for revenge is powerful, and the artist encourages pursuing it.
Hold him close love that man
The artist suggests trying to reconcile with the abuser after enacting revenge.
So love that man love that man
The singer repeats the idea of attempting forgiveness and reconciliation.
Hold him close and say my name
The singer desires to be remembered and recognized as a person who fought for justice.
Now kill that man kill that man
The cycle of desire for justice and then reconciliation repeats throughout the song.
And love endless
The idea of endless love is introduced, perhaps as a way to move beyond a cycle of revenge and hate.
My sister said its endless
The song ends with a reference to the beginning, indicating that the advice of the sister is still important and has lasting value.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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