1) The Changelings have been… Read Full Bio ↴There are more artists using this name:
1) The Changelings have been creating a unique blend of ambient pop-fusion laced with Neo-Classical and Middle Eastern styles since 1995. Their independent releases have sold extensively worldwide through mainly self-promotion and a short time on the UK label World Serpent. The Changelings have played to enthusiastic crowds across the US and in Canada and enjoy college and independent radio play across the globe. In addition to their international audience, The Changelings have a large and dedicated local fan base. They have been voted "Best of Atlanta" in Creative Loafing for five years running. The Changelings' innovative and timeless music has endeared them to fans and critics alike.....
2) The Changelings. Originally from Newcastle, New South Wales, the Changelings developed a following in Melbourne and Sydney Australia.
Singer/songwriter duo Rodney Marks and Helga Hellsinger wrote all the tunes.
Sadly, Rodney passed away several years ago under unusual circumstances.
Olympus Mons
The Changelings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under this old star of us
We've climbed through ash and cliff and gash
And scaled this old face
Oh, please don't let him go
Olympus Mons won't you ever be?
Olympus Mons won't you ever be?
We eat as systems fail
Ask the reasons why volcanos in the sky
Running on a stone so close we grow alone
Discuss panic and dread and mountains
Mountains in our heads
Olympus Mons won't you ever be?
Olympus Mons won't you ever be?
The air grows thin
The moon hangs in the sky like a closing eye
The sky is dark and red tonight
And I long to go home if I close my eyes...
The sky grows dim
The moons stare from the space with the hollow face
The soil is dark and red tonight
And I long to go home if I close my eyes...
Tree on Martian soil and patterns of canals
Water streaming down a lava light canal
If I could get this helmet off I'd lay it on the sand
And drink from river's hand
Oasis looks so grand - red camels in the sand
A desert nomad stands at sleeping naiad's hand
Like Hylas I could swim to you and love you and forget
Love you and forget
The summit beckons yet
"Olympus Mons" by The Changelings describes a team of space travelers who have come so far on their journey through space that the red planet, Mars, with its largest volcano, Olympus Mons, is now in sight. The first stanza depicts their climbing and scaling through ash, cliff, and gash to come upon this imposing sight. They are asking Olympus Mons not to let them go, which could mean they're asking the planet to allow them to stay and explore more, or to not let the mission fail.
The second stanza is a plea to Olympus Mons to become what they imagine it to be. The face of the planet is described as drawn, pale, and its systems are failing. They're questioning why volcanoes exist in the sky, which might suggest the travelers feel overwhelmed and out of their depth in this new environment. As they grow more isolated, panic and dread set in, represented by mountains in their heads. The chorus repeats the plea to Olympus Mons to become something more, implying that the travelers long for something extraordinary to happen on this desolate planet.
The final stanza describes the travelers' homesickness as they long to return to Earth. The diminishing air and dark, red sky, in contrast to the closed eye-like moon, paint a bleak picture of the reality of space travel. However, they still hold onto the hope of reaching the summit of Olympus Mons, represented as the ultimate goal of their mission. The reference to a tree, canals, and an oasis give the impression of Mars as a kind of mirage in a harsh desert, and the travelers are just nomads seeking some form of respite before moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
We've come so far
We've made tremendous progress
Under this old star of us
Despite enduring challenges from the past
We've climbed through ash and cliff and gash
We've faced obstacles and endured pain and hurt
And scaled this old face
We've conquered the difficulties and reached new heights
Oh, please don't let him go
Let's not lose our achievements
Olympus Mons won't you ever be?
Can we reach Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system?
Your face is drawn and pale
The volcano's surface looks weak and lifeless
We eat as systems fail
As we struggle, we continue to nourish ourselves
Ask the reasons why volcanos in the sky
Wondering about the reasons for the existence of such majestic wonders
Running on a stone so close we grow alone
Living on a planet where we feel isolated despite being so near
Discuss panic and dread and mountains
Exploring fears and challenges that arise along the way
Mountains in our heads
Internal struggles that weigh on us
The air grows thin
Breathing becomes difficult
The moon hangs in the sky like a closing eye
The moon feels like it's watching us, closing in on us
The sky is dark and red tonight
The environment feels ominous and mysterious
And I long to go home if I close my eyes...
Yearning to escape the overwhelming situation by sleeping or dreaming
Tree on Martian soil and patterns of canals
Observing the unique features of Mars
Water streaming down a lava light canal
A stream of water flowing down a path made of cooled lava
If I could get this helmet off I'd lay it on the sand
Wishing for a moment of freedom and rest
And drink from river's hand
Quenching thirst and finding rejuvenation
Oasis looks so grand - red camels in the sand
Finding a place of refuge and peace
A desert nomad stands at sleeping naiad's hand
Encountering someone else who is also seeking a restful place
Like Hylas I could swim to you and love you and forget
A reference to the mythological story of Hylas diving into a pond and falling in love with a water nymph, offering temporary relief from struggles
Love you and forget
Finding solace in loving and forgetting for a short time
The summit beckons yet
There is still more to explore and conquer
Contributed by Allison K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.