The Rankins come from a family of 12, all of whom would entertain the neighbours musically every third weekend as part of a ceilidh.
Five of the siblings began performing professionally in 1989. The Rankins released their own independent cassettes The Rankin Family (1989) and Fare Thee Well Love (1990) featuring original songs and a combination of traditional jigs, reels and Celtic folk songs. Their television debut was on the CBC variety show On The Road Again in 1989.
Their most successful album was EMI's re-release of Fare Thee Well Love in 1992, which went quadruple platinum, selling over 500,000 copies; the title track was one of the year's biggest Top 40 hit singles in Canada.
The group has won many Canadian music awards, including 15 East Coast Music Awards, 6 Juno Awards, 4 SOCAN Awards, 3 Canadian Country Music Awards and 2 Big Country Music Awards.
On September 17, 1999, the group issued a press release stating that they would no longer perform as a group in order to pursue independent interests and careers.
John Morris Rankin was killed in a car accident in Cape Breton on January 16, 2000.
Jimmy Rankin has continued to write songs and has released two solo albums: Song Dog (2001) and Handmade (2003).
In November 2006, it was announced that the four surviving Rankins â along with John Morris's daughter Molly â would be releasing a new album and reuniting for a cross-Canada concert tour.
On June 3, 2012, Raylene Rankin appeared on CBC Radio's The Sunday Edition where she spoke about her decade-long struggle with cancer. She died on September 30, 2012 at the age of 52.
Discography
* The Rankin Family (independent, 1989)
* Fare Thee Well Love (independent, 1990)
* Fare Thee Well Love [CD re-issue] (Capitol, 1992)
* The Rankin Family [CD re-issue] (Capitol, 1992)
* North Country (EMI, 1993)
* Endless Seasons (EMI, 1995)
* Grey Dusk Of Eve (EMI, 1995)
* Collection (EMI, 1996)
* Do You Hear...Christmas (EMI, 1997)
* Uprooted (EMI, 1998)
* Souvenir:1989-1998 (2003)
Rise Again
The Rankin Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the ocean cries
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
When the light goes dark with the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky
We look to reincarnation to explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
We rise again in the faces
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
The Rankin Family's song, "Rise Again" is a profound reminder of the cyclical nature of life. The lyrics portray various ways in which we search for meaning and understanding in our lives. The opening lines demonstrate the immense power of nature and the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty it can bring. We turn to our children for answers and try to make sense of our existence. However, it becomes clear that the answers may not be found in the eyes of a child, and that the mystery of life is something we have to accept.
The song then moves into the concept of reincarnation, as a way to explain the cycle of life and death. The lines "when the light goes dark with the forces of creation / across a stormy sky" evoke a sense of chaos and tumult in the universe. We cling to the possibility of reincarnation as it brings comfort and hope - a belief that we will rise again. The lines, "we rise again in the faces of our children, we rise again in the voices of our song" speak to the idea that our legacy lives on, through our children and through the art we create. And finally, "we rise again in the waves out on the ocean" refers to the continuation of the natural cycle, as the waves come in and out, never ceasing.
Line by Line Meaning
When the waves roll on over the waters
As the waves of life continue to come and go, bringing both happiness and sorrow.
And the ocean cries
As if the ocean itself feels the pain and loss that life can bring.
We look to our sons and daughters
We seek comfort and wisdom from the younger generation who have yet to face the struggles of life.
To explain our lives
In hopes of finding meaning and purpose in the hardships and joys we experience.
As if a child could tell us why
Although they may not have all the answers, we still turn to the innocence and purity of children for guidance.
That as sure as the sunrise
Just as the sun will always rise each morning, we can find hope in the consistency of life's cycles.
As sure as the sea
Just as the tides ebb and flow, life will continue to move forward with or without us.
As sure as the wind in the trees
Just as the wind rustles through the leaves, change will always come and we must learn to adapt.
We rise again in the faces of our children
Through our children, we live on and leave a legacy behind as they carry on our traditions and values.
We rise again in the voices of our song
Through the power of music and storytelling, we keep our history and heritage alive for future generations.
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
As the waves of life continue to crash upon the shore, we must learn to rise above the challenges and keep moving forward.
And then we rise again
No matter how many times we fall or suffer setbacks, we have the strength and resilience to rise up and try again.
Lyrics Š O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ChrisDawson1985
When the waves roll on over the waters
And the ocean cries
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
When the light goes dark with the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky
We look to reincarnation to explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
We rise again in the faces
Of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again
Source:Â Musixmatch
@tamerarogers6170
I listened to this as a child, and now I play it for my daughter. As corny as this sounds, when I hear her hit that note, I feel hope for the world. Truly beautiful.
@rosekasper1872
I am living in Vancouver but am from the Maritimes and my beloved PEI has been devastated by Hurricane Fiona as has beautiful Cape Breton and other parts of Nova Scotia and the northwest area of Newfoundland in the Port Aux Basque area. I need the beautiful Rankins and their hauntingly beautiful song now. đ
@rsinthespace7175
I am from China and watched the live performance of this song in my graduation convocation. Such a beautiful song that reminds people of the strength we all have and hopes we bear. Thank you Cape Breton Nova Scotia.â¤
@gailgillies135
This beautiful song was sung at my sisters funeral
@jimmyjames2022
30 years after release and 11 years after Raylene passed, Rise Again still gives me chills. A touching anthem for being human.
@GlazzedDonut
I never thought I would have a child in Nova Scotia and here I am the wheels of time spinning faster than I can keep track. I am not from here I come from away but this is my home and now I rise again in the face of my son. For this I am grateful. Thank you God or whatever force has allowed me to walk through the shadows of the valley of death and experience such beauty
@MichaelPhilipMaunes
I love this song. Inspiring and amazing. I sang this one with my school choir but in a different choral arrangement.
@avalonjustin
I still have this song stuck in my head from when my parents played it. It's so beautiful. Love from Newfoundland!
@lillyvukov1249
A very moving and beautiful song especially during this difficult time . Our hearts go out to Nova Scotia , Canada & beyond and the entire world. We will overcome this , WE WILL RISE AGAIN ! !
@artamm777
Although my musical tastes are often very far from this, I have been listening to The Rankin Family for many years. They ground me like no other band has ever done. Bless.