TWS have not looked back from that moment. They have enjoyed performances across the continent, from folk festivals to concert halls to full symphonic backing, they have been on national and international TV and radio shows, they have five recordings, three Juno nominations, three videos (all of which received full play on CMT) and Best Group award in the folk category of the Prairie Music Awards. They have also been included on numerous compilations and have been hired to write and record theme music for video and TV shows. Much of their music, such as 'Warrior', 'The Faucet', 'Farewell to Clayoquot Sound' and 'Leave a Little Light' has been covered, recorded and sung by performers and choirs from across the globe.
The Wyrd Sisters have, like any family (and long time band), changed and evolved and grown over the years. Original founding member, principal writer and lead stage personality Kim Baryluk has remained the constant thoughout the band's existence. Like groups such as 'Sweet Honey in the Rock' and 'The Flirtations,' where members have come and gone over the decades, the band continues to create the same beautiful music and carry the same inspirational message as it always has.
International critics have recognized the original sound The Wyrd Sisters have created with a fusion of folk/jazz/pop/blues as being a uniquely Canadian sound which sets the standard for up and coming singer/songwriters.
Upon My Alter
The Wyrd Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could not stop my hands from shaking
I tried to speak but indecision stole my words
and I am breaking down
in all these years I have never touched your face
your mouth has only told me stories
we've shared our lives but we have never shared a taste
leave the world outside
and lay your head upon my shoulder
we won't have this moment twice
leave your fear behind
come lay yourself upon my altar
it's a holy sacrifice
leave the world outside
you know I've always kept emotion in its place
but I can't stop my heart from breaking
until this moment we had nothing to erase
but what a sweet confession now
what a sweet confession now
leave the world outside
The Wyrd Sisters's song Upon My Alter is a hauntingly beautiful love song that captures the vulnerability, confusion, and passion of two people who have kept their feelings for each other hidden for years. The opening lines "I could not breathe when you came into the room, I could not stop my hands from shaking" sets the tone for the rest of the song - there is an intensity to their emotions that is impossible to ignore. The singer tries to speak but is overcome with indecision; they are breaking down under the weight of their unspoken feelings.
The lyrics then take a turn towards the sensual as the singer reveals that they have never touched their lover's face or tasted their lips. There is a yearning for a deeper connection that has been withheld for far too long. The chorus is a plea to leave the world outside and come lay upon the singer's altar - a holy sacrifice of love. The moment is fleeting, but it is worth everything to seize it.
The final lines of the song "you know I've always kept emotion in its place, but I can't stop my heart from breaking, until this moment we had nothing to erase, but what a sweet confession now, what a sweet confession now" capture the heartache and joy of finally expressing what has been held back for so long. This moment of vulnerability is both painful and beautiful, a reflection of the complexity of love and the risks we take to experience it fully.
Line by Line Meaning
I could not breathe when you came into the room
I was so overwhelmed and speechless upon seeing you.
I could not stop my hands from shaking
The intensity of my emotions were so high that it caused physical symptoms.
I tried to speak but indecision stole my words
I struggled to express myself because of my uncertainty and hesitation.
and I am breaking down
My emotions are so strong that I am starting to lose control.
in all these years I have never touched your face
We have known each other for so long, yet we never had a physical connection.
your mouth has only told me stories
We have communicated mostly through words, rather than actions.
we've shared our lives but we have never shared a taste
We have spent a lot of time together, but we have never experienced intimacy.
of what we have before us now
We now have an opportunity to explore something deeper between us.
leave the world outside
Let's forget about everything else and focus on each other in this moment.
and lay your head upon my shoulder
Find comfort and security with me.
we won't have this moment twice
Let's cherish this moment as a unique and special experience.
leave your fear behind
Don't let your worries and fears hold you back from exploring this new path with me.
come lay yourself upon my altar
Surrender yourself to me and let me guide this journey.
it's a holy sacrifice
This moment is sacred and should be treated with reverence and respect.
you know I've always kept emotion in its place
I typically keep my feelings in check and under control.
but I can't stop my heart from breaking
However, my emotions are too strong to ignore in this moment.
until this moment we had nothing to erase
Our past experiences and memories were not something we needed to forget or move past.
but what a sweet confession now
But now, we have the opportunity to express and explore our true feelings towards each other.
leave the world outside
Focus only on the present and what we have the potential to experience together.
Contributed by Kennedy D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.