The Frames (formed 1990) is a band based primarily in Dublin, Ireland. As o… Read Full Bio ↴The Frames (formed 1990) is a band based primarily in Dublin, Ireland. As of late 2004, the band consists of Glen Hansard (vocals, guitar), Joe Doyle (bass guitar, vocals), Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin, keyboard and vocals), Rob Bochnik (lead guitar), and Johnny Boyle (drums). On both versions of the album "Fitzcarraldo" the band went by the moniker "The Frames DC", to avoid being mistaken with a United States band of the same name.

The Frames have been together since 1990 and are a survivor of Dublin's prolific early 90's rock and roll scene. They have also been essential in the development of the current crop of emerging Irish rock bands, such as Turn. The Frames have toured with various other Irish artists, including Damien Rice and Bell X1. In December 2004, Hansard appeared on stage in a collaboration with singer songwriter Paddy Casey.

The name The Frames reportedly arose from Hansard's habit, at a young age, of fixing the bicycles of many of his friends. The large number of bicycle frames lying around his house led neighbours to dub it the "house with the frames".

Their new, 6th studio album, The Cost, is available in Ireland since 22 September 2006 and worldwide since 20 February 2007.

Lead singer Hansard recently collaborated with Czech musician Markéta Irglová, which led to the solo album "The Swell Season". Glen and Markéta also star and perform in the John Carney movie Once (www.oncethemovie.com). The movie received several awards including the World Cinema Audience Award - Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival as well as an Oscar for best Song for the track "Falling Slowly".

On several occasions the members of The frames appear on stage during the Swell season gigs.

www.theframes.ie

Neath The Beeches
The Frames Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hand me down the picture
Of you leaving unsaid
I know how simple it gets
But say by chance I need you
Will you always be there?

And I will lie with you neath the beeches
On the strand again

I'm learning to hand it over
To whatever Lord there be
And in the same old colours
I'll be dressed for thee
But it's not about that though is it?
It's about you and me

And I will lie with you neath the beeches
On the strand again

I hung your feet
That famous painting above my bed
And you told me a story
About some guy who kept his head
He drowned neath the Southport
Neath the pier where we stand

And I will lie with you neath the beeches
On the strand again

Overall Meaning

The song "Neath the Beeches" by The Frames is about the complexities of relationships and the desire to maintain a connection with someone you love. The first verse talks about a picture of someone leaving, and the singer wondering if that person will always be there for them if they need them. It highlights the fear of losing someone, and the desire for reassurance and support.

The second verse deals with the idea of surrendering oneself to a higher power and being content with a simple life. But the singer then acknowledges that, ultimately, what really matters is the relationship between two people. The line "but it's not about that though is it? It's about you and me" emphasizes the idea that the most important thing in life is human connection.

The final verse tells a story about someone who drowned under a pier, which could be a metaphor for the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing meaningful moments, like lying beneath the beeches with someone you love.

Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on love, relationships, and the human desire for connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Hand me down the picture
Give me the memory of you leaving, left unspoken

Of you leaving unsaid
Of you leaving without saying anything

I know how simple it gets
I know things can be simple sometimes

But say by chance I need you
But if I happen to need you

Will you always be there?
Will you always be there to help me?

And I will lie with you neath the beeches
And I will rest with you under the beech trees

On the strand again
On the shore once more

I'm learning to hand it over
I'm learning to let it go

To whatever Lord there be
To whichever deity there may be

And in the same old colours
And in the same familiar way