Their signature style is dreamy slow songs, with beautiful melodies.
The original band, including Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 80s when the members met during a Catholic school production of Godspell. Although all members of the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does most of the group's writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, and the album’s second track, "Black Sheep Wall", released as a single in 1989, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, "Clear to You", was used on the soundtrack of the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records), Was produced by Dennis Herring, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein's heavier production style. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and The Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring's lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group's guitar work and to Karen's vocals and lyrics.
Glow contains songs that appear on the soundtracks of the films Empire Records, and Dream for an Insomniac, as well as the television series Party of Five. The album’s second track, Bright as Yellow, peaked on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks at #33.
In 1999 the band recorded for a new label, Badman. Additionally, drummer Steve Brown left the band to pursue a career as a chef. On the subsequent album, Birds of My Neighborhood, Brown played drums and brushes on "Snow," but otherwise the group became a trio. Now bereft of drums, their sound took an even more acoustic direction. Some songs featured just Don and Karen, and a few, such as "She May Turn Around," featured only Karen's voice and instrumentation.
The 2000 release of Christ is My Hope, featuring religious music that had inspired them over the years, was independently released on their own website. Small Planes, released in 2001, featured outtakes from Glow and Birds of My Neighborhood. 2003's Befriended was their next "regular" album.
In 2004, the Innocence Mission released Now the Day is Over, a collection of lullabies. Except for "My Love Goes With You," all songs are cover versions, such as a stripped-down vocal and piano rendition of Henry Mancini's Moon River,
The Innocence Mission's new album We Walked in Song was released March 13, 2007.
One For Sorrow Two For Joy
The Innocence Mission Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We wear our heavy coats.
The soul of my brother
is pure though he doesn't think so
oh, one for sorrow,
on, one for sorrow,
two for joy.
I want to hold his hand
but I don't.
The thoughts of my brother;
where and when they fly
I don't know
Oh, one for sorrow
oh, one for sorrow
two for joy
Everything is going to be
much better in the spring.
Today is a winter sunday
we wear our heavy coats
The soul of my brother
is pure though he doesn't think so
Oh one for sorrow
oh, one for sorrow
oh, one for sorrow
oh, one for sorrow
two for joy.
What is coming down from the north road
What is coming down out from the ground
going up
going down
though we don't know much at all,
stand ever firmly, love.
We'll stand ever firmly, love.
In "One For Sorrow Two For Joy" by The Innocence Mission, the lyrics depict a winter Sunday where the singer and their brother are bundled up in heavy coats. The singer acknowledges that their brother doesn't realize the purity of his soul, but the singer sees it clearly. The repeated phrase "one for sorrow, two for joy" suggests that there is both sadness and happiness present in their lives.
As they walk two miles to a place called Holly, the singer yearns to hold their brother's hand, but hesitates. The thoughts and emotions of their brother seem elusive and uncertain, as they wonder where and when they "fly." The lyrics hint at a sense of longing, perhaps for a deeper connection or understanding between the siblings.
Despite the somber tone, there is a glimmer of hope in the song. The refrain repeats the sentiment that everything will be better in the spring, implying that there is a possibility of renewal and rejuvenation on the horizon. The final lines emphasize the importance of standing firmly in love, even when faced with the uncertainties of life.
Overall, "One For Sorrow Two For Joy" captures the bittersweet essence of relationships, the longing for connection, and the potential for renewal amid uncertainty and heaviness.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is a winter Sunday.
This day is cold and still, like a winter Sunday.
We wear our heavy coats.
We put on our thick coats to protect ourselves from the cold.
The soul of my brother is pure though he doesn't think so.
Despite his doubts, my brother possesses a beautiful and untainted soul.
Oh, one for sorrow, on, one for sorrow, two for joy.
The expression 'one for sorrow, two for joy' highlights the balance of happiness and sorrow in life.
We walk the whole two miles to holly.
We embark on a long journey to a place of significance called 'holly'.
I want to hold his hand, but I don't.
Although I desire to hold my brother's hand, I refrained from doing so.
The thoughts of my brother; where and when they fly, I don't know.
I'm unaware of the precise nature and timing of my brother's thoughts as they wander.
Everything is going to be much better in the spring.
The future holds promise and improvement, especially as the season changes to spring.
What is coming down from the north road?
What is descending upon us from the path to the north?
What is coming down out from the ground?
What is emerging or descending from beneath the earth?
Going up, going down, though we don't know much at all, stand ever firmly, love.
Despite our lack of knowledge and the uncertainties of life, we must stand steadfastly in love.
We'll stand ever firmly, love.
We will remain resolute and unwavering in our love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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