Over the life of the band, their music has taken influence from noise, modern classical, dance, post-punk, minimalism, Asian percussion music, and American folk music. Frequently noted as well are the films of Todd Solondz, Shohei Imamura, David Lynch, and Seijun Suzuki and the books of Elfriede Jelinek, V.S, Naipaul, Yukio Mishima, and Ingeborg Bachmann.
Over both song concepts or music videos, the art of Xiu Xiu is often memorable to a newcomer by its divisive response. The music of Xiu Xiu has been noted for the lead singer's bleakness either contrasting or complementing the chaotic instrumentation, lyrics commonly including references to depression, suicide, family issues, militarized violence, abuse, sexual disaffection, and body dysmorphia. The band's public image has taken a similar tone, including the insertion of a poster into an LP sleeve (for the album "Dear God, I Hate Myself") of photographs of band-related cuts, brands, and tattoos sent by listeners. They have been critically divisive.
To date, they have released well over 50 titles including albums, 7inches, books, film works and dance pieces. They have collaborated with a number of artistic and musical luminaries such as Carla Bozulich, Michael Gira, Merzbow, Dahn Vo, Monika Gryzmala, Grouper, Larsen, These Arches, Deerhoof, John Congleton, Dirty Beaches, Oxbow, and Shearwater.
The name Xiu Xiu is taken from the film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl." They currently release albums on Bella Union and Polyvinyl Records.
I'll Fly Away
Xiu Xiu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i'll
fly away
to a home on god's celestial shore
i'll
fly away
i'll
fly away, oh glory
fly away
when i die hallelujah by and by
i'll
fly away
when the shadows of this life are gone
i'll
fly away
like a bird from prison bars has flown
i'll
fly away
i'll
fly away oh glory
i'll
fly away
when i die hallelujah by and by
i'll
fly away
just a few more weary days and then
i'll
fly away
to a land where joy will never end
i'll
fly away
i'll
fly away, oh glory
i'll
fly away
when i die hallelujah by and by
i'll
fly away
when i die hallelujah by and by
i'll
fly away
The song I'll Fly Away by Xiu Xiu is a cover of the Christian hymn composed by Albert E. Brumley in 1929. The hymn speaks about the hope of dying and going to heaven, which is the ultimate destination for a believer. The first verse of the song states that the singer will fly away from this world and find a home on God's celestial shore. The singer repeats the phrase "I'll fly away" throughout the song, emphasizing the longing for the afterlife.
The second verse talks about how the singer will escape the "prison bars" of this life like a bird and go to a better place. The third verse emphasizes the hope that the weary days of this life will soon be over, and the singer will go to a land of eternal joy. The last line of the song is "When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I'll fly away," which repeats the idea of dying and going to heaven.
Overall, the song is a testament to the Christian faith and the hope that believers have in an eternal afterlife. The song's optimism and hopefulness have made it a popular hymn for funerals and other occasions where the idea of death and the afterlife is discussed.
Line by Line Meaning
some glad morning when this life is over
One day, when my time in this life is done, and I am no longer living.
i'll fly away
I will escape from this life and move on to the next phase.
to a home on god's celestial shore
To a place of eternal peace and happiness in the afterlife, where God resides.
i'll fly away, oh glory
With joy and exultation, I will leave this world behind.
when i die hallelujah by and by
After I pass away, people will sing praises to God for my departure to a better place.
when the shadows of this life are gone
Once all the pain and sorrow of this life has passed, and I am free from this world's darkness.
like a bird from prison bars has flown
I will escape from the confines and oppression of this world, just as a bird escapes from its cage.
just a few more weary days and then
After enduring just a little more of this tiresome life,
to a land where joy will never end
I will arrive in a place of eternal happiness where pain and sorrow are nonexistent.
when i die hallelujah by and by
After my time in this life has come to an end, people will praise and worship God for my entrance into the afterlife.
i'll fly away
I will depart from this world and continue on to the next phase of existence.
Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.