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
Ship Caught in the Bay
The Frames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
like a ship caught in the bay
well show each other where it hurts
and well make the fuckers pay
and what is it we don't do well enough
that were constantly afraid.
and clearing up the pieces when your gone
but the silence always stays
the silences and formlessness is gone
with the hand that rocked the babe
well forgive each other what is done
there's no one we could blame
and neither side is sure enough to move
there's something in the way
and still for all the wisdom that we've got
were suffering the same
Buried in the work what never ends
And silently we fade..
And we walk on.. on..
The Frames’ “Ship Caught in the Bay” is a song about a relationship that’s being torn apart due to fear and miscommunication. From the opening line “Leaving, but never far enough, like a ship caught in the bay,” lead singer and songwriter Glen Hansard sets the tone for a relationship that’s stagnant and unable to move forward. The metaphor of the ship caught in the bay is a powerful one, as it represents two people who are stuck in one place, unable to make progress or move towards their goals. The ship, which is supposed to move forward, is halted by the surrounding land.
The song explores the fear that comes with trying to make a relationship work, and the pain that comes with failing. The line “and what is it we don't do well enough that were constantly afraid” speaks to this fear, as the two parties are so afraid of failing that they’re unable to muster the courage to try. The silence in the song is also a powerful force, representing the unspoken words that are left unsaid between the two people.
Ultimately, the song is about two people who are unable to confront their issues head-on, and are subsequently torn apart. They both know that they’re suffering, but they’re unable to find the words to fix things. The line “and still for all the wisdom that we've got, were suffering the same” sums up this sentiment nicely.
Line by Line Meaning
Leaving, but never far enough
Even though we try to walk away from each other, we can't escape our problems
like a ship caught in the bay
We are trapped in our relationship, unable to break free
well show each other where it hurts
We will be honest with each other about our weaknesses and vulnerabilities
and well make the fuckers pay
We will seek revenge against those who have wronged us and caused us pain
and what is it we don't do well enough
We are constantly afraid because we know we have shortcomings
that were constantly afraid.
Our fear is a result of our insecurities and limitations
and clearing up the pieces when your gone
We try to fix things when we're apart, but the problems still remain
but the silence always stays
We can't escape the awkwardness and tension between us
the silences and formlessness is gone
We have lost our sense of direction and purpose in our relationship
with the hand that rocked the babe
Even though we were once close and loving, things have changed
well forgive each other what is done
We will try to move past our mistakes and forgive each other
there's no one we could blame
We realize that no one is solely responsible for the problems in our relationship
and neither side is sure enough to move
We are both hesitant and unsure about how to move forward
there's something in the way
There are obstacles and challenges that we need to overcome
and still for all the wisdom that we've got
Despite our intelligence and knowledge, we are still struggling to fix our relationship
were suffering the same
We are both facing the same hardships and pain
Buried in the work what never ends
We are consumed by the endless cycle of problems and trying to fix our relationship
And silently we fade..
Our love and relationship are fading away without us even realizing it
And we walk on.. on..
Despite all of our struggles, we continue to move forward and try to make things work
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anita Melon
turns out one year later after my comment I heard this song from my pandora station at the same time a very good friend was giving me some sage advice and I came hear to send him the song that was also giving me some good advice. Mr. Hansard you seem to often give me good advice and so do you Fred. I have no idea who I sent this song to one year ago, I wonder if the advice was heeded. Life is wonderfully strange when serendipity takes over
Syberia
adorable! lovely coincidences
Anita Melon
sending this to a friend that needs the message to walk on