Wasner and Stack have been playing music together and apart in Baltimore, MD, and chose their name from the honorary state tree of Maryland. If Children is the culmination of many months of recording, polishing and perfecting to achieve what Any Given Tuesday best described as, “. .. . mingling in a room full of shoegaze, alt-country, folk, and noise, shaking hands, kissing cheeks, and making friends with everyone.” If Children is an exuberant debut – noisy and restrained in turn, Wye Oak describe their philosophy: "We'd like to think that if a song is good enough, it'll stand on its own regardless of how much noise you pile on top. On the other hand, we do like noise." Listen, and we think you will have to agree!
The droll tone and fleeting sweetness of a Yo La Tengo are cut into the more deeply textural concerns of shoegaze in the Baltimore group's work. It's an interesting alignment, given the contrast in senses of humor. But Wye Oak successfully shed tonnage from the latter without losing potency.
For Prayer
Wye Oak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please, please
Wanted hands but I got knees
You drop by to help me out
Out, out
Baby, what's all this about?
You thought you're better than you were
I wanted beast but I got bird
There's no room and there's not time
So you scratch yours and I'll scratch mine
Sinned to, a way to a body tied
I guess I do believe in God
But I'll forgive and make it right
If it freezes up tonight
So cross your fingers say a prayer
You don't believe but I don't care
You either win it or you don't
It happens now, unless it won't
Cross your fingers, say a prayer
You don't believe but I don't care
You either win it or you don't
It happens now, unless it won't
The lyrics of Wye Oak’s song “For Prayer” are complex and enigmatic, with multiple layers of meaning and interpretation. The opening line “All this dirt is my disease” sets the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting an underlying sense of desperation and despair. The plea “Please, please” is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the singer’s need for help and salvation.
The line “Wanted hands but I got knees” suggests a sense of disappointment and frustration with oneself, as if the singer had hoped to achieve something greater but fell short. The phrase “You thought you’re better than you were” further adds to the sense of disillusionment and unfulfilled expectations.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to “cross your fingers say a prayer,” even if they don’t believe in a higher power, suggesting that hope and faith are still important even in the absence of concrete evidence or proof. The repeated refrain “You either win it or you don’t, it happens now unless it won’t” adds an air of fatalism and resignation to the song, suggesting that the outcome is ultimately beyond our control.
Overall, the lyrics of “For Prayer” evoke a sense of yearning and longing for something beyond our grasp, while also acknowledging the limitations of human experience and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
All this dirt is my disease
My flaws and shortcomings are what make me sick and troubled.
Please, please
I am pleading for help and guidance.
Wanted hands but I got knees
I hoped for help and support, but I only got the ability to stand on my own two feet.
You drop by to help me out
You offer assistance in my time of need.
Out, out
Please leave, I need some space to figure things out.
Baby, what's all this about?
I'm confused and questioning my current circumstances and problems.
You thought you're better than you were
You overestimated your abilities and underestimated the challenges at hand.
I wanted beast but I got bird
I was hoping for something strong and powerful, but instead I got something small and fragile.
There's no room and there's not time
There is no space or opportunity to address all of the issues and struggles I am facing.
So you scratch yours and I'll scratch mine
We will each handle our respective problems on our own.
Sinned to, a way to a body tied
Being imperfect and flawed leads to feelings of being trapped or restrained.
I guess I do believe in God
Despite my doubts, I still have faith and hope in a higher power.
But I'll forgive and make it right
I am willing to let go of grudges and work towards healing and resolution.
If it freezes up tonight
If things become stagnant or unchanging, despite efforts to move forward.
So cross your fingers say a prayer
Hoping for luck and divine intervention.
You don't believe but I don't care
Despite differing beliefs, my hope and faith remain strong.
You either win it or you don't
Success is not guaranteed, but is determined by effort and circumstance.
It happens now, unless it won't
The outcome is uncertain and cannot be predicted.
Cross your fingers, say a prayer
Repeating the hope for a positive outcome, despite doubts and fears.
You don't believe but I don't care
Undeterred by different beliefs or opinions, my faith and hope remain steadfast.
You either win it or you don't
Success is still not guaranteed, but hope and effort are worthwhile regardless.
It happens now, unless it won't
Ultimately, the future is uncertain and the outcome is not guaranteed.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JENNIFER LYNN WASNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Soul's Condition
All this dirt is my disease
Please, please
Wanted hands but I got knees
You drop by to help me out
Out, out
Baby, what's all this about?
You thought you're better than you were
I wanted beast but I got bird
There's no room and there's not time
So you scratch yours and I'll scratch mine
Sinned to, a way to a body tied
I guess I do believe in God
But I'll forgive and make it right
If it freezes up tonight
So cross your fingers say a prayer
You don't believe but I don't care
You either win it or you don't
It happens now, unless it won't
Cross your fingers, say a prayer
You don't believe but I don't care
You either win it or you don't
It happens now, unless it won't
Daniel Simmons
2:37 begins one of my favorite guitar moments
notrlyanybodyatall
saw them 2 nights ago. amazing, intense, and surprisingly intimate performance. Jenn's voice and guitar work are just unbelievable.
BiggusMaccus
This has jumped straight into my top 5 of all time. Incredible.
rudi mentär
wonderful song,wonderful voice...
Kathy I. Andersen
I would love to hear this live, great stuff.
Paddy Theosophist
their latest album "Civilian" is an absolute masterpiece!
Dante Summers
Thank goodness for indie rock! This song is so amazing.
mwb1138
It may be too early to say, but 2:37 is quite possibly the greatest moment ever recorded in modern music history.
tyknos
Watching this right niw on Carson Daily. Incredible live performance. I had to hear it again
xylemicarious
I remain unconvinced that there are better moments in music than the pedal steel/noise freakout at 2:37. Gives me chills.