The band began in 2001 as a solo project for Edwards while his primary group, 16 Horsepower, were taking a temporary hiatus. The band's first live shows were performed by Edwards and multi-instrumentalist Daniel McMahon; the debut, self-titled Wovenhand album was released in 2002 on Glitterhouse Records. Performances following this record were executed by Edwards, McMahon, drummer Ordy Garrison and cellist Paul Fonfara. 2003 saw a release of Blush Music, the score to a dance performance mostly composed of reworked material from the first record. Touring behind this album saw Shane Trost replacing Fonfara.
In 2004, Consider the Birds was released on the Sounds Familyre label, who has also released the previous Wovenhand releases domestically. Edwards performed the bulk of the instrumentation in the studio; he and Garrison toured behind the record as a two-piece.
2005 saw both the demise of 16 Horsepower and the Wovenhand debut of guitarist Peter van Laerhoven, a Belgian guitarist - McMahon and Trost were now inactive with the group. 2006's Mosaic album featured more input from Garrison and van Laerhoven, but still read like an Edwards solo album for the most part. Touring behind the record saw the inclusion of Pascal Humbert, 16 Horsepower's founding and long-time bassist. Nonetheless, Edwards also played solo tours at this time billed as Wovenhand.
2008's Ten Stones, conversely, was the first record from the group written and performed collaboratively; the project had thus evolved into a proper band, albeit with Edwards firmly at its head.
Since 2002, they have released 8 albums: Woven Hand (2002), Blush Music (February 2003), Consider The Birds (2004), Mosaic (2006), Ten Stones (2008), The Threshingfloor (2010), The Laughing Stalk (2012) and Refractory Obdurate (2014).
The current members of the live band (as of 2008) are Ordy Garrison (also of Slim Cessna's Auto Club) on drums, Peter van Laerhoven on guitar, and Pascal Humbert (also of 16 Horsepower and currently Lilium) on bass.
http://www.wovenhandmosaic.com
Sinking Hands
Woven Hand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mercy, mercy
Your darkened face
Well known to her
And it's a low, low, low indivisible man
To be myself again
Please get inside
Nothing new here
Under the sun
Away with me, away with me
They run
Just look across and see
My weary stone of knee
Back to dust
As we have been told
Clinging to the sky
Like smoke
And it is so
Bone of my bone
One desert shy
Down singing fetter drowning
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking, singing hands
Back to dust
As we have been told
Clinging to the sky
Like smoke
And it is so
Bone of my bone
One desert shy
Down singing fetter drowning
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking, singing hands
Sinking singing hands
Singing, singing sinking, singing, sinking, singing hands
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking hands
The lyrics of "Sinking Hands" by Woven Hand are full of enigmatic and evocative imagery that can be interpreted in various ways. At the core of the song, there seems to be a sense of lament and resignation, as the singer reflects on the passing of time, the ephemeral nature of life, and the inevitability of death. The repetition of the phrase "sinking singing hands" can be seen as a metaphor for the gradual decline and decay of the human body and spirit, as they sink towards the ground and become weaker and more fragile.
The use of the words "mercy, mercy" and "darkened face" suggests a sense of loss or sorrow, possibly related to the passing of a loved one or the fading of hope and joy. The singer also alludes to the idea of being "indivisible" and wanting to "be myself again", which could mean a desire for wholeness or unity that is currently lacking. The line "quiet in the mind of the people" can be interpreted as a plea for introspection and stillness in the chaotic world around us.
The second half of the song repeats the same phrases and imagery, but with a slightly more urgent and intense tone. The repetition of the line "back to dust, as we have been told" emphasizes the inevitability of our mortality and the transience of all things. The image of "clinging to the sky like smoke" suggests a brief and elusive grasp at something higher or transcendent, but ultimately futile in the face of our finite existence.
Overall, "Sinking Hands" is a powerful and haunting song that speaks to the universal human experience of mortality, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. It invites the listener to contemplate these existential themes and to find solace in the shared experience of being human.
Line by Line Meaning
Sinking singing hands
The hands that were once singing are now sinking, possibly reflecting a loss of creativity or inspiration.
Mercy, mercy
The singer may be calling out for mercy, suggesting they are going through a difficult time.
Your darkened face
The person's face is darkened, possibly hinting at a hidden inner turmoil or pain.
Well known to her
The person's darkened face may be well known to a specific individual.
And it's a low, low, low indivisible man
The artist may be feeling low or depressed, and possibly disconnected or broken in some way.
To be myself again
The singer longs to return to a state where they feel like themselves again, possibly referring to a time before their current struggles.
Please get inside
The singer may be asking someone to come closer, either for support or to share in their pain.
Quiet in the mind of the people
The artist seeks silence or stillness, possibly finding it in others who may also be going through difficult times.
Nothing new here
The current situation may seem stagnant or unchanging.
Under the sun
This phrase can refer to the passing of time or the cyclic nature of life.
Away with me, away with me
The singer may be calling for an escape or change of scenery.
They run
Others are trying to escape the current situation as well.
Just look across and see
The singer is calling someone to look and observe something specific.
My weary stone of knee
This line may have multiple interpretations, but it may refer to a physical or emotional burden on the singer's knee.
Back to dust
Everything ultimately returns to dust or nothingness.
As we have been told
This likely refers to a common belief or wisdom that has been passed down over time.
Clinging to the sky
Something is holding on tightly, almost in desperation, to the unreachable sky.
Like smoke
The object clinging to the sky may appear as insubstantial or transient as smoke.
And it is so
This phrase may express agreement or resignation to a current state of reality.
Bone of my bone
This phrase may refer to a deep connection, possibly between two people or to a cultural or ancestral tie.
One desert shy
This line may have multiple interpretations, but it may refer to someone who is slightly removed or different from their cultural or physical surroundings.
Down singing fetter drowning
This line has a sense of struggle and desperation, suggesting someone is being held back or is drowning.
Singing sinking hands
The sinking hands are still singing, possibly showing a refusal to give up or lose hope despite the struggle.
Singing sinking, singing hands
The repetition of this line reinforces the idea of persistent singing despite the sinking hands.
Sinking singing hands
This phrase is the same as the opening line, and it repeats the idea of hands that were once singing now sinking in defeat.
Singing, singing sinking, singing, sinking, singing hands
This final repetition highlights the contrast between singing and sinking and draws attention to the continued persistence and creativity despite the defeat.
Singing sinking hands
This is a repeat of the opening line and reinforces the idea of hands sinking despite the valiant effort to keep singing.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DJDeadnote
shit! got a "melancholykick" of this song i love this band
@andreluizcastro1166
Sinking singing hands
Mercy, mercy
Your darkened face
Well known to her
And it's a low, low, low indivisible man
To be myself again
Please get inside
Quiet in the mind of the people
Nothing new here
Under the sun
Away with me, away with me
They run
Just look across and see
My weary stone of knee
Back to dust
As we have been told
Clinging to the sky
Like smoke
And it is so
Bone of my bone
One desert shy
Down singing fetter drowning
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking, singing hands
Back to dust
As we have been told
Clinging to the sky
Like smoke
And it is so
Bone of my bone
One desert shy
Down singing fetter drowning
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking, singing hands
Sinking singing hands
Singing, singing sinking, singing, sinking, singing hands
Singing sinking hands
Singing sinking hands