The term Various Artists is used in the record industry when numerous singers and musicians collaborate on a song or collection of songs. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information.
Compilation albums, for example.
Sometimes, single releases may be credited to Various Artists when their profits are going to charity and, usually in high-profile cases, are sometimes known by a group name. Examples include Band Aid with their releases of Do They Know It's Christmas? and USA for Africa with We Are The World.
Various Artists is also an actual performance name for Torsten Pröfrock, who runs the German DIN label. Torsten performs also as Dynamo, Erosion, Resilent, Traktor besides some others. He's a good friend of Robert Henke and since the Fall of 2004, he is a member of Monolake.
Various Artists was also a short-lived Bristol punk band formed by brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (originally from Birmingham). Other members were also simultaneously in Art Objects who went on to become The Blue Aeroplanes, the latter the Key brothers also co-wrote some songs and were involved in. When Various Artists imploded, the Key brothers went on to form Either / Or.
Various Artists also appear on tracks from musical theater soundtracks, due to the nature of having many cast members on one song, as well as an ensemble in some cases.
How Can I Keep From Singing
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shepherd Moons
How Can I Keep From Singing
by Enya
My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
and hear their death knell ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near
how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
our thoughts to them are winging,
when friends by shame are undefiled
how can I keep from singing?
Enya's "How Can I Keep From Singing" is a powerful song that speaks about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of turmoil and strife. The opening lines of the song, "My life goes on in endless song, above earth's lamentations," convey the idea that there is always a song in the hearts of those who refuse to be beaten down by the hardships of life. The far-off hymn that the singer hears symbolizes the hope that there is a brighter future ahead, despite the difficult present.
The song continues with the singer acknowledging the strife and tumult that surrounds them. However, even in the midst of chaos and upheaval, they still hear a music that rings through their soul. It is an echo of the hope that they hold onto, and it inspires them to continue singing. The final lines of the verse, "Since love is lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?", convey the message that love is the ultimate ruler, and no matter what happens, it is love that will see us through.
The song's subsequent verses celebrate the power of song to bring people together, even in the most difficult circumstances. The lyric "When tyrants tremble in their fear and hear their death knell ringing" speaks to the way music can inspire fear in power-hungry individuals, while the notion that "friends rejoice both far and near" suggests that singing can be a unifying force, even when we are physically separated.
Overall, "How Can I Keep From Singing" is a reminder that even when everything around us feels uncertain and unstable, there is always a song to be sung. It conveys a message of hope, resilience, and determination that is both powerful and inspiring.
Line by Line Meaning
My life goes on in endless song
My life is like an endless song
above earth's lamentations,
above the sorrows and troubles of the world
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
I hear a true hymn, although it is distant
that hails a new creation.
that celebrates a new beginning
Through all the tumult and the strife
Despite all the chaos and difficulty
I hear it's music ringing,
I hear its melody singing
It sounds an echo in my soul.
It deeply resonates within me
How can I keep from singing?
How could I not sing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
Even when a storm is raging
I hear the truth, it liveth.
I hear the living truth
And though the darkness 'round me close,
Even when darkness surrounds me
songs in the night it giveth.
it provides me with songs in the night
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
No storm can disrupt my inner peace
while to that rock I'm clinging.
As long as I hold onto that foundation
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
Because love reigns over everything
how can I keep from singing?
How could I not sing?
When tyrants tremble in their fear
Even when oppressive rulers are afraid
and hear their death knell ringing,
and hear the sound of their impending downfall
when friends rejoice both far and near
when my loved ones celebrate near and far
how can I keep from singing?
How could I not sing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Even in a dark and terrible prison
our thoughts to them are winging,
our thoughts soar to them
when friends by shame are undefiled
when my loved ones stay strong in the face of shame
how can I keep from singing?
How could I not sing?
Writer(s): Jon Cohen, Faryl Smith
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Beth Brittenbach
There is absolutely Nothing like singing in a chorus or choir. It's not just the melding of the music. It's the melding of the human spirit. CHORUS/CHOIRS FOREVER!!!!!!!!
JACK FOSTER
Music is Soul of Heart
Endless Nameless
This song isn’t about the human spirit, which brought about 262 million deaths through democide alone in the 20 century. This song is about King Jesus. The melding of the human spirit is only beautiful in so far as its purpose is to bring glory to Him.
Doug Taylor
This virtual choir delivers such a beautiful cover of this classic hymn. Bless you all
Elizabeth Mittler
I have chosen this to be part of my funeral as it sums up mu life, more than 75 years of singing in some choir.
SL *
Beautiful comment!
Christine Hinshaw
this song has carried me through many trials and troubles, and at 85 I have had my share of them, but always this song has lifted me to better heights and I am able to face life with hope and have a reason to go in singing, awesome words of hope in our creator
lovesings2us
Christine Hinshaw - Thank you for your beautiful words.
Noreen Albright
Amen and amen. I feel the same. God has blessed. In God We Trust. The Lord of all Lords. Every faithful and living God.
Mike R
Me too !