Timber Timbre is a Canadian folk music project formed in 2005 and featuring… Read Full Bio ↴Timber Timbre is a Canadian folk music project formed in 2005 and featuring Mika Posen, Simon Trottier and Taylor Kirk.

Their debut album "Cedar Shakes", recorded in a farm house near Bobcaygeon, Ontario, was released in 2006. Hence the moniker Timber Timbre as an ode to the surroundings and the warm haunting sound of the album.

2007 saw the release of Medicinals, an album recorded by Kirk in his empty Toronto apartment. "Cedar Shakes came from driving around in fields, but I don’t think Medicinals reflects the city at all actually," Kirk told the Kingston Whig Standard. "If anything, I think Medicinals is a more fetishization of the rural landscape because ultimately, that’s where I want to be."

Medicinals was released on Shuffling Feet records, the Peterborough based label of Jonas Bonnetta (Evening Hymns), who also mastered the record.

Toronto’s Out of this Spark records released Timber Timbre’s third album in January of 2009.

I Get Low
Timber Timbre Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I could I would turn
Back into dust
You would look so good to me
I could almost taste it

One moment I'm a king
The next minute I'm nothing
I just wanted to feel alright

But it's not that simple

I get low low low low low low
On my own
I get low low low low low low
On my own

In the palm of my hand
An empire summoned
As if it was born
All substance crumbled

It was a vain attempt
At the meaning of life
I should have better ways
Of spending my time

Like climb the mountain
Like sail the sea
Like build my house up
Or start my family

It's time to get out
It's time to make a living
I reach the summit
But I come tumblin' back down

I get low low low low low low
On my own

I get low low low low low low
On my own

Overall Meaning

The song "I Get Low" by Timber Timbre is a desolate and melancholic exploration of the vacillating nature of life. The lyrics speak of the desire to turn back into dust so as to rekindle the feeling of closeness to the person being sung to. In the singer's desire to feel alright, he grapples with the reality that life is not as simple as he wishes it to be.

Throughout the song, Timber Timbre uses imagery to paint a picture of the fleeting nature of power, and how it can quickly turn into nothingness; hence, the line "One moment I'm a king, the next minute, I'm nothing." He then proceeds to ponder the futility of his attempts at creating meaning in life, like his attempt to build an empire in the palm of his hand, only for all substance to crumble.

As the song progresses, Timber Timbre concedes that life is more than just the pursuit of power and material possessions. He then proceeds to list out other things that he should be doing with his life, like climbing a mountain, sailing the sea, building his house, or starting his family. However, even as he contemplates this, he acknowledges that the pursuit of these things comes with its unique set of challenges that could make him stumble and fall.

Overall, "I Get Low" is a thought-provoking piece that recalls the fleeting and unpredictable nature of life, and how the pursuit of meaning can often result in despair and hopelessness.

Line by Line Meaning

If I could I would turn
The singer wishes they could turn back into dust, indicating a sense of dissatisfaction with their current state of being.

Back into dust
The singer desires to return to a simpler, less complicated state of existence.

You would look so good to me
The singer longs for someone or something to provide comfort or validation in their current state.

I could almost taste it
The artist is so consumed by their desire for comfort that they can almost feel it tangibly.

One moment I'm a king
The artist experiences extreme highs, feeling powerful and in control at times.

The next minute I'm nothing
The singer experiences extreme lows, feeling powerless and insignificant at times.

I just wanted to feel alright
The singer seeks some level of emotional stability or contentment, but feels unable to attain it.

But it's not that simple
The artist acknowledges that their desires are not easily achievable.

In the palm of my hand
The artist possesses great power or potential.

An empire summoned
The artist has summoned something magnificent, but it is ultimately fleeting and unsatisfying.

As if it was born
The greatness that the singer has summoned feels organic or natural.

All substance crumbled
Despite the artist's great power or potential, it is ultimately unable to provide real substance or fulfillment.

It was a vain attempt
The singer regrets their previous actions and recognizes their shortcomings.

At the meaning of life
The singer acknowledges their search for purpose or meaning, but feels unable to find it.

I should have better ways
The singer recognizes that they could have made better choices in the past.

Of spending my time
The artist wishes they had used their time more wisely, pursuing more fulfilling endeavors.

Like climb the mountain
The artist suggests various activities that could lead to a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction.

Like sail the sea
The singer suggests various adventurous activities that could provide a sense of excitement or fulfillment.

Like build my house up
The singer suggests finding purpose in more practical or tangible achievements, such as building a home.

Or start my family
The artist suggests finding purpose in starting a family and creating a legacy.

It's time to get out
The artist recognizes a need for change or forward momentum.

It's time to make a living
The artist suggests finding fulfillment through productive work or career advancement.

I reach the summit
The singer experiences a sense of accomplishment or achievement.

But I come tumblin' back down
Despite their successes, the artist ultimately feels that they are unable to maintain their sense of fulfillment or progress.

I get low low low low low low
The repeated refrain emphasizes the singer's persistent feelings of dissatisfaction, powerlessness, and sadness.

On my own
Despite their desire for comfort or fulfillment, the singer recognizes that they are ultimately responsible for their own happiness.

Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC INC DBA GALLERYAC MUSIC, GALLERYAC MUSIC
Written by: Taylor Kirk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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