The band has always held fast to a D.I.Y. and collective ethos, and its four members are more like brothers than mere friends playing music: up till now they’ve self-released all their own material; Henry designs all of their art, from album covers to T-shirts; and, perhaps most importantly, their creative process is all-inclusive, so every facet of every song bears the mark of every member.
This spring, The Static Jacks teamed with producer Chris Shaw (Ted Leo, Bad Brains, Elvis Perkins in Dearland) at famed Stratosphere Sound in New York City to record their debut full-length "If You're Young". The album will drop August 30th.
Greensleeves
The Static Jacks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When hearts were young, and so was I
Adore the past before it all came down
When odds were always on the rise
When we wouldn′t have it any other way, but
We could always run
We could always stand and we could fight it
Just some of it was true, and it reminded
An always-open door
Always on the run, it was exciting
And now the walls are bare
Now we really care, and now we're trying
To remember life there
One hand lover′s secret levels
I'll find out what it meant for me to be
Even if you could see the way
You won't ever lead me
There was a time
When bonds were strong, but so was I
Before the cracks, before the empty time
When I was always on the rise
But, we couldn′t have it any other way, so
We would strategize
We would sometimes lie, and we quit trying
Gonna find out who
Gonna see you soon, hope you don′t mind it
What happened to
One hand lover's secret levels
I′ll find out what it meant for me to be
Even if you could see the way
You won't ever lead me back again
One hand lover′s secret levels
I'll find out what it meant for me to be
Even if you could see the way
You won′t ever lead me back again
The lyrics to The Static Jacks's song Greensleeves convey a longing for the past, specifically a time when the singer was young and carefree, unburdened by the weight of adulthood. The opening verse reminisces about a time when the odds were always in their favor, when they could run, fight, and always find a place to belong. The chorus echoes this sentiment, describing an always-open door and a sense of excitement and adventure.
However, as the song progresses, the tone shifts from nostalgia to regret. The second verse laments the passing of strong bonds and the onset of empty time, and the chorus becomes more wistful, with a sense of trying to hold on to the past but being unable to. The repeated refrain of "one hand lover's secret levels" is somewhat cryptic, but could be interpreted as a reference to a relationship that has since ended or become distant.
Overall, Greensleeves is a reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and a desire to reclaim the innocence and freedom of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a time
A moment in the past, an era in which the subject existed
When hearts were young, and so was I
The time of innocence and youthfulness representing the state of the subject
Adore the past before it all came down
Finding beauty and appreciation in the past before it fell apart
When odds were always on the rise
When the likelihood of success and favorable outcomes was high
When we wouldn′t have it any other way, but
A determination and desire to maintain the status quo
We could always run
Able to escape from problems and challenges with ease
We could always stand and we could fight it
Having the courage and strength to confront difficulties head-on
There was always room
Space for improvement and progress
Just some of it was true, and it reminded
Not everything was perfect, but even the flaws served as a reminder of better times
An always-open door
An opportunity for new beginnings and change
Always on the run, it was exciting
Constantly seeking adventure and new experiences
And now the walls are bare
The environment or situation is now stripped of its former vitality
Now we really care, and now we're trying
Realizing the importance of the past and making an effort to reclaim it
To remember life there
The desire to recall and cherish the past
One hand lover's secret levels
A reference to an undisclosed relationship or experience
I'll find out what it meant for me to be
Discovering the personal significance and impact of the relationship or experience
Even if you could see the way
Regardless of whether others understand or comprehend the situation
You won't ever lead me
Refusing to be influenced or directed by others
When bonds were strong, but so was I
A time when relationships and connections were robust, and the subject was equally resilient
Before the cracks, before the empty time
Referring to the decay and emptiness that followed the previous high point
But, we couldn′t have it any other way, so
Recognizing the inevitability of the changes that occurred
We would strategize
Planning and considering options for the future
We would sometimes lie, and we quit trying
Engaging in deception, and eventually giving up on the situation or task
Gonna find out who
Looking for answers or insight into the situation or experience
Gonna see you soon, hope you don′t mind it
Anticipating seeing someone again, but hoping they won't be opposed to it
What happened to
Questioning and pondering the cause of the current state of affairs
You won′t ever lead me back again
Refusing to return to the state of being influenced or directed by someone else
Writer(s): Brennan Nicholas Francis, Devaney Ian Richard, Kaye Henry Benjamin, Sue-poi Michael Steve
Contributed by Gavin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.