"...a songwriting, accordion playing, harmony singing, storytelling,
hand drumming, banjo strumming, soul stirring,
two woman tour-de-force."
With award-winning songwriting and musicianship, Wishing Chair, "never fails to create that exhilarating sense one gets when great melodies, strong harmonies, and superb execution come together," says The Performing Songwriter Magazine. The 6th CD and latest offering from this roots/folk duo is no exception. Produced by Grammy nominated producer Mark Hallman, Underdog is "folk to the core," (Lexington Herald-Leader) delivering a rich collection of stories and clear-eyed diatribes, outlaw weddings, love songs, and an anti-Bush circus for good measure.
Since 1995, the folk and soul partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood has become well regarded for their engaging performances, passionate activism, stirring harmonies and award winning songs. With any subject being fair game, they have earned high honors from Kerrville (Political Songwriting Finalist 2003), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist Finalist 2002), Outmusic (double Winner 2003, Finalist 2004) to The South Florida Folk Festival (double Winner 2003).
Throughout the U.S and Canada, they have won over audiences and presenters alike performing in venues ranging from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and Club Passim in Cambridge, and at festivals including the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Clearwater Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Be
Wishing Chair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
©2/24/04 Kiya Heartwood
What you keep in
held so tight
it sings so softly
if the mask should slip down
the face that would show
Are you afraid
afraid to be
the woman you are
Be
meant to be
can you show me
The writer, the dancer
the perfect answer
to questions you whisper
in the dark
let us just light
this spark of desire
inspire
Be
the wonder you are
can you show me
Hope is line
a path a design
to the beauty inside
beauty inside
all the colors you are
are born in the star
that lights up your eyes
oh surprise
Full of hope
full of chance
full of laughter
deep romance
full of try
full of free
full of love
can’t you show me
full of right (look for the signs)
full of wrong (you will know your design)
full of dare (all the answers inside)
full of song (your own soul is the prize)
full of rhyme
full of play
full of everything’s okay
Be
the wonder you are
can you show me
Be
the wonder you are
Be
Let’s just
take this path to the sea
wherever it leads
wonderful
The song "Be" by Wishing Chair is a call to embrace our true selves and not be afraid to show our inner beauty. The lyrics encourage the listener to let go of fears and insecurities that keep them holding back and to step into their full potential. The opening line "What you keep in, held so tight, it sings so softly" suggests that there is something inside each of us that is waiting to be released, but often we are too afraid to reveal it to the world. However, the singer states that if we were to let the mask slip, we would reveal a face that is far from ugly, but instead, it would reveal the wonder that lies within.
The song's message is driven home by a series of short verses, each one urging the listener to embrace different aspects of themselves, whether it's their creativity ("the writer, the dancer"), their desires ("spark of desire"), or the hope they carry inside ("hope is a line, a path, a design"). The chorus repeats the song's central message: "Be the wonder you are, can you show me?" The song ends with an invitation to take a journey, to follow the path to the sea and see where it leads, suggesting that embracing our true selves is a journey worth taking.
Line by Line Meaning
What you keep in
The things you hide inside yourself
held so tight
Are tightly held as if to keep them in
it sings so softly
It's calling out quietly for recognition
if the mask should slip down
If your facade were to slip and reveal your true self
the face that would show
The face that represents who you truly are
could never be ugly
It could never be unappealing or undesirable
Are you afraid
Do you fear
afraid to be
Being your true self
the woman you are
The unique person that you are
Be
Embodying who you are
meant to be
The purpose of your being
can you show me
Can you demonstrate to me who you are
The writer, the dancer
The creative, expressive aspects of yourself
the perfect answer
The ideal resolution to your questions
to questions you whisper
The inquiries you keep to yourself
in the dark
During moments when there is no external stimulation
let us just light
Allow yourself and others to ignite
this spark of desire
This passion within you
inspire
Motivate and guide
Be
Be who you truly are
the wonder you are
The unique and amazing person you are
can you show me
Can you display your true self to me
Hope is line
Hope is the path
a path a design
A specific, intended way
to the beauty inside
To the beautiful essence within us
beauty inside
The beauty we contain within ourselves
all the colors you are
The different facets of you
are born in the star
The unique qualities that light up your eyes
that lights up your eyes
The special features that make you shine
oh surprise
Oh, what a pleasant realization
Full of hope
Filled with optimism
full of chance
Full of opportunities
full of laughter
Filled with joy and humor
deep romance
Emotionally intense love
full of try
Filled with attempts
full of free
Unrestricted by societal norms
full of love
Full of affection and care
can’t you show me
Can you reveal to me who you truly are
full of right (look for the signs)
Employing intuition and signs for guidance
full of wrong (you will know your design)
Making mistakes while understanding your unique journey
full of dare (all the answers inside)
Accepting risks while embracing innate knowledge
full of song (your own soul is the prize)
Expressing one's innermost self, which is the ultimate reward
full of rhyme
Full of rhythmic wordplay
full of play
Filled with amusement and playfulness
full of everything’s okay
Full of an optimistic perspective
Be
Unapologetically be yourself
the wonder you are
Embody your unique and amazing self
can you show me
Can you display your true self to me
Be
Be your authentic self
Let’s just
Let us
take this path to the sea
Travel a journey towards a vast and unexplored space
wherever it leads
No set destination in mind, but open to discovery
wonderful
Full of wonder and excitement
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don.
The song was recorded ny Martin Cathy in 1976