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.
Holy Holy
Wye Oak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is no other story
Holy, holy, holy
It is blindly seeking my story
Holy, holy, holy
Would you like to know me?
And don't fall unless to free
Further choice and secrets our heart stores
We are the only way in my real world
A children for the blessed, for an old count
A tri-star upon your mind in my delight
All they say is, can we contain this?
A human, you're his precious
And I, oh sure, know this
When everyone should know this
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
It is blindly seeking my story
We will be who we want to be
Further choice and secrets our heart store
We are the only way in my real world
A children for the blessed, for an old count
A tri-star upon your mind in my delight
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
Holy, holy, holy
The lyrics to Wye Oak's song "Holy Holy" can be interpreted in a number of different ways, but at its heart, the song is about the search for meaning and purpose in life. The repetition of the phrase "holy, holy, holy" throughout the song gives the impression of a spiritual or religious experience, but the lyrics themselves are more ambiguous. The first two lines of the song ("Holy, holy, holy / There is no other story") could be interpreted as a reference to the Bible or other holy texts, but they could also be understood as a more personal statement about the importance of one's own life story.
The next two lines ("It is blindly seeking my story / Holy, holy, holy") suggest that the search for meaning is something that happens almost unconsciously, as though it's something we're all programmed to do. The repeated use of the word "holy" adds a layer of complexity to the meaning of the song: is it about searching for a spiritual connection, or is it simply about the search for purpose and fulfillment in life?
The final lines of the song ("Ah, you will be mine / Holy, holy, holy") add another layer of ambiguity. Is the singer addressing someone specific, or is this a more general statement about the fulfillment of the search for meaning? The song's overall message is that we are all on a journey to find our place in the world, and that this search is what makes us human.
Line by Line Meaning
Holy, holy, holy
This line serves as a repetitive refrain, emphasizing the importance and sanctity of the subject being discussed.
There is no other story
There is nothing else that compares or is as significant as what the singer is referring to.
It is blindly seeking my story
Whatever the holy subject is, it is actively trying to reveal itself to the singer, who may not fully comprehend or understand it yet.
Would you like to know me?
The artist is offering the opportunity for someone to learn more about them, possibly in relation to the holy subject.
And don't fall unless to free
The artist warns against succumbing to urges or temptations unless it leads to a sense of liberation or greater purpose.
And lonely seeking as they need
Individuals may feel isolated in their search for truth or meaning, but it is a necessary part of the journey.
Further choice and secrets our heart stores
The heart is a complex entity that holds both choice and secrets, shaping who we are and the paths we take in life.
We are the only way in my real world
The artist believes that the individual's personal perspective and experiences are the only true means to navigate the world they exist in.
A children for the blessed, for an old count
The artist sees themselves and others as blessed children who will be held accountable for their actions in the future.
A tri-star upon your mind in my delight
The subject of the holy is ever-present in the artist's thoughts, bringing them joy and inspiring contemplation.
All they say is, can we contain this?
Others may question the power and influence of the holy subject and whether it can be controlled or manipulated.
A human, you're his precious
Humans are valued and regarded as significant by the holy subject, who may guide and protect them.
And I, oh sure, know this
The singer has an unwavering belief in their understanding of the holy subject and its intentions.
When everyone should know this
The singer believes that what they know about the holy subject should be common knowledge and shared among all people.
We will be who we want to be
The singer emphasizes the power of individual choice and self-determination in shaping who they become in life.
Ah, you will be mine
The artist expresses a desire or possessiveness over an object or person, possibly related to the holy subject.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JENNIFER LYNN WASNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DD SS
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
Holy, holy, holy
It is blindly seeking my story
Holy, holy, holy
Would you like to know me?
And don't fall unless to free
And lonely seeking as they need
Further choice and secrets our heart stores
We are the only way in my real world
A children for the blessed, for an old count
A tri-star upon your mind in my delight
All they say is, can we contain this?
A human, you're his precious
And I, oh sure, know this
When everyone should know this
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
It is blindly seeking my story
We will be who we want to be
Further choice and secrets our heart store
We are the only way in my real world
A children for the blessed, for an old count
A tri-star upon your mind in my delight
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Ah, you will be mine
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
Holy, holy, holy
al_aqua
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
Holy, holy, holy
It is madness seeking mastery
Holy, holy, holy
Would you like to know me?
A tongue without a mouth to feed
And only seeking agony
[Chorus]
For the joys and secrets I have stored
Here I lie, awaiting our reward
Attention for the blessed, final count
The ties that hold your mind and lock me out
No patience can contain this
All human joy is precious
And I alone should know this
And everyone should notice
Holy, holy, holy
There is no other story
It is madness seeking mastery
We will be who we want to be
For the joys and secrets I have stored
Here I lie, awaiting my reward
Attention for the blessed, final count
The ties that hold your mind will not give out
And oh, they will give out
And oh, they will give out
And oh, they will give out
And oh, they will give out
Hanzael
Wye Oak is amazing. So good The Walking Dead promoted them. They deserve great musical attention :)
Stevie Riks
FYI: This is not a recording of Wye Oak singing, as they never recorded this song. This is an impersonation by the person who posted the video.
Emily Hathaway
I saw them live in 2010, they opened for explosions in the sky... and I have never been so impressed by an act. The dude played drums with one side of his body and keyboard with the other I csnt imagine how difficult that must be 10/10
Sidney Barrett
You got lucky - that's a great double bill!
Nik
That's where I discovered them too! What a great tour.
Nicole Marie
I'm obsessed with this song. On repeat, always.
Rafael Vitor
11 anos se passaram e continua sendo perfeita 🤧🙏🏻
Clowd Walker
Jenn Wasner is one of the best songwriters in contemporary music.
Stevie Riks
FYI: This is not a recording of Wye Oak singing, as they never recorded this song. This is an impersonation by the person who posted the video.
Clowd Walker
@Stevie Riks umm, da fuck are you talking about?