1) The Choir were a ro… Read Full Bio ↴There have been two bands known as The Choir:
1) The Choir were a rock band in the mid-1960s from Cleveland Ohio, best known for the oft-covered song "It's Cold Outside". With the addition of singer Eric Carmen, they became The Raspberries in 1970. The band consisted of Dann Klawon on rhythm guitar, Dave Smalley on vocals & rhythm guitar, Wally Bryson on vocals, lead guitar, & bass, and Jim Bonfanti on vocals & drums.
2) The Choir (originally The Youth Choir) is an atmospheric alternative Christian rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums -- who also writes most of the band's lyrics -- and Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute and saxophone. Originally formed in Southern California in the early 1980s, the band members moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the 1990s. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bass guitarists Michael Sauerbrey, Robin Spurs, Bill Batstone, and the late Tim Chandler.
Each band member also has a depth of musical history outside of The Choir. Hindalong produced four successful City On A Hill albums, writing the well-known song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty has been a member of the Christian-alterna-pop-supergroup The Lost Dogs since it started in 1991, and Hindalong joined the group in 2006. Chandler was the bass player for years for Daniel Amos and that band's alter egos The Swirling Eddies, and passed away in 2018. Byrd was a member of Common Children, recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd, and is currently half of the post-rock duo Hammock. Michaels has been a Senior Vice President of Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) since 2000.
The Warbler
The Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any time the lightning reappears?
Never fear the darkness of the shock
Three hundred sixty strokes before Heaven
Already eleven o'clock
Listen to the warbler's rhapsody
He never chirps any funeral melody
He doesn't mind the night sky or the hawk
Bells ringing eleven o'clock
Eleven o'clock
You must believe it true when I swear we're alive
Beware the deceiver
He's a killer and a liar
A killer and a liar
Listen to how the coyote sings at the sight
Never mind that drum dirge you hear droning
Fade away into oblivion
Let decay anyone moaning
Anyone moaning
You must believe it true when I swear we're alive
Beware the deceiver
He's a killer and a liar
A chiller of desire
Your spirit and your eyes are on fire
Listen to the warbler's rhapsody
He never sings any funeral melody
Disregard anybody moaning
Never mind that drum dirge droning
What about that thunder we both hear
Anytime the lightning reappears?
Never dread the mystery of the shock
Three hundred sixty strokes to touch Heaven
It's only eleven o'clock
Eleven o'clock
The Choir's song "The Warbler" is a poignant and introspective ballad that reflects on the mysteries of life and death. The lyrics speak of the powerful forces of nature, including thunder and lightning, and the beauty of the natural world. The warbler, a small and unassuming bird, is used as a metaphor for the resilience of life, as it continues to sing despite the darkness of the night sky and the presence of predators.
The song's lyrics also touch on more metaphysical concerns, including the potential for deception and the importance of maintaining faith in the face of uncertainty. The chorus repeats the phrase "You must believe it true when I swear we're alive," urging the listener to hold onto hope and continue to push forward through the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
What about the thunder we hear
Have you ever noticed the sound of thunder accompanying lightning?
Any time the lightning reappears?
Does the sound of thunder happen whenever the lightning appears?
Never fear the darkness of the shock
Don't be afraid of things that might scare you.
Three hundred sixty strokes before Heaven
It's only going to take you 360 strikes to reach Heaven.
Already eleven o'clock
It's already time for bed.
Listen to the warbler's rhapsody
Hear how the bird sings beautifully.
He never chirps any funeral melody
The bird never sings a song that sounds like it's for a funeral.
He doesn't mind the night sky or the hawk
The bird is not afraid of the dark or any predator.
Sorry lovers take wing under Heaven
People who are in love will eventually pass away.
Bells ringing eleven o'clock
Hear the sound of the bells that tell you it's time to sleep.
You must believe it true when I swear we're alive
Believe that we are really alive when I tell you.
Beware the deceiver
Be careful of people who cheat or lie to you.
He's a killer and a liar
The deceiver is both deadly and dishonest.
Listen to how the coyote sings at the sight
Hear how the coyote howls at the moon.
Never mind that drum dirge you hear droning
Don't listen to the sound of the drums that could make you feel sad.
Fade away into oblivion
Let all the sadness disappear.
Let decay anyone moaning
Let anyone who is sad be forgotten.
You must believe it true when I swear we're alive
Believe that we are really alive when I tell you.
Beware the deceiver
Be careful of people who cheat or lie to you.
He's a killer and a liar
The deceiver is both deadly and dishonest.
A chiller of desire
The deceiver ruins people's desire or passion.
Your spirit and your eyes are on fire
You are full of passion and excitement.
Listen to the warbler's rhapsody
Hear how the bird sings beautifully.
He never sings any funeral melody
The bird never sings a song that sounds like it's for a funeral.
Disregard anybody moaning
Ignore anyone who is complaining.
Never mind that drum dirge droning
Don't listen to the sound of the drums that could make you feel sad.
What about that thunder we both hear
Have you ever noticed the sound of thunder accompanying lightning?
Anytime the lightning reappears?
Does the sound of thunder happen whenever the lightning appears?
Never dread the mystery of the shock
Don't be afraid of things that might scare you.
Three hundred sixty strokes to touch Heaven
It's only going to take you 360 strikes to reach Heaven.
It's only eleven o'clock
It's still early.
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.