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.
To Bid Farewell
The Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too early in the morning
Just one more thought or three
Before I say goodbye
Insurance policies
Are in the second drawer, love
Now, listen close to one last
For the words I never would say
If I were to bid farewell my love today
A glad sigh
For the promise of a new day
If I were to bid farewell and fly away
I've sung a thousand songs
Give or take four hundred
Tried to ride the clouds
I know you came along
I feel some turbulence now
And if this were farewell, friend
Would you hear one final
Sad song
For the songs I never would sing
If I were to bid farewell my friend today
A glad song
As the bells beyond the night ring
And though I walked beneath the Moon
The sun was in my eyes
So this is not a sorry tune
But Heaven help me
A sad sigh
For the words I never would say
If I were to bid farewell the world today
A glad sigh
For the promise of a new day
If I were to bid farewell and fly away
A sad sigh
For the songs I never could sing
If I were to bid farewell to you today
A glad song
As the bells beyond the night ring
If I were to bid farewell and fade away
If I were to bid farewell and fade away
If I were to bid farewell and fade away
The Choir's song To Bid Farewell is a contemplative and reflective piece about the idea of saying goodbye. The song paints a melancholy picture, almost as if the singer is considering their own mortality. They seem to be going through their personal belongings, checking insurance policies, and making preparations. They feel turbulence and uncertainty, as they ponder the things they never said or sang. The song is aptly titled, as it focuses on the idea of bidding farewell, whether it be to a loved one, a friend or even the world itself.
The lyrics are filled with contrasting emotions, representing the duality of life and death. The singer expresses a “Sad sigh” for the words they never said, which suggests a longing for unfinished business. However, they also express a “Glad sigh” for the promise of a new day, portraying a sense of hopefulness or acceptance, even in the face of endings. The song captures the essence of what it means to let go, and yet there is a sense of ambiguity, as if the singer is leaving their options open.
Overall, The Choir's To Bid Farewell is a thought-provoking and poetic song that explores the complex emotions of saying goodbye. It captures the essence of the human experience, where we are constantly reminded of our own mortality, and yet we continue to find ways to navigate the journey of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Away we go again
Starting another day apart from my loved one
Too early in the morning
Starting the day without having enough time to spend with my loved one
Just one more thought or three
Taking a moment to think of my loved one before saying goodbye
Before I say goodbye
Before parting ways with my loved one for the day
Insurance policies
Safety measures in case something happens while away from my loved one
Are in the second drawer, love
Letting my loved one know where to find important documents just in case
Now, listen close to one last
Requesting my loved one's attention for a final message before leaving
Sad sigh
Expressing sorrow and regret for the things left unsaid if I were to leave forever
For the words I never would say
Acknowledging missed opportunities to express feelings and emotions to loved ones
If I were to bid farewell my love today
Reflecting on saying goodbye to my significant other for the last time
A glad sigh
Expressing happiness and hope for the future if given another chance
For the promise of a new day
Embracing the potential for a positive future and looking forward to new opportunities
I've sung a thousand songs
Referencing past experiences and struggles, demonstrating perseverance and passion
Give or take four hundred
An exaggeration to emphasize the number of songs sung
Tried to ride the clouds
Attempting to overcome obstacles and reach new heights
I know you came along
Feeling grateful for the support and encouragement of loved ones
I feel some turbulence now
Acknowledging current difficulties and obstacles in my path
And if this were farewell, friend
Considering the possibility of saying goodbye to friends for the last time
Would you hear one final
Asking if friends would listen to one last message before parting ways
Sad song
Reflecting on missed opportunities to share experiences and emotions with friends, expressing regret
For the songs I never would sing
Acknowledging missed opportunities to share experiences and emotions with friends, expressing regret
If I were to bid farewell my friend today
Reflecting on saying goodbye to friends for the last time
A glad song
Expressing gratitude and joy for shared experiences and positive memories with friends
As the bells beyond the night ring
Emphasizing the end of the day and the potential for new beginnings
And though I walked beneath the Moon
Reflecting on past experiences walking alone
The sun was in my eyes
Acknowledging difficulties and struggles in the past, but still seeing opportunities for a positive future
So this is not a sorry tune
Expressing positivity and hope, rather than focusing on regrets and apologies
But Heaven help me
Expressing a need for support and guidance in future endeavors
If I were to bid farewell the world today
Reflecting on the possibility of departing from the world permanently
For the songs I never could sing
Acknowledging missed opportunities to share experiences and emotions with the world, expressing regret
If I were to bid farewell to you today
Reflecting on saying goodbye to loved ones for the last time
If I were to bid farewell and fly away
Consider the possibility of departing from life, with a focus on potential for a positive future
If I were to bid farewell and fade away
Reflecting on the possibility of departing from the world permanently, despite the potential for a positive future
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.