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Hem — Leave Me Here
Album: Rabbit Songs
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2118









Released: 2000
Length: 3:47
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I should wake up this town - my heart's on fire
Main road and no one's around as the flames climb higher
I have been here before and I know the way
But love seemed sweeter and sure in the light of the day

So as I rise, I will reach for the livin'
And I'll say no prayer
Cuz tonight he brought me to heaven
And left me here

I could tell by his face - those two tired eyes
It's been a long night searching for grace, now the sun won't rise
Now I have been here before though I know I am lost
Cuz the same place that filled me with joy is just a road I crossed
Just a road I crossed

So as I rise, I will reach for the livin'
And I'll say no prayer
Cuz tonight he brought me to heaven
And left me here

So as I rise, I will reach for the livin'
And I'll say no prayer
Cuz tonight love feels nothing like heaven
Don't leave me here
Comments (300)add comment
Discovered these guys on here many years ago...sadly it was right after they quit touring......
Maybe save this one for the Mellow playlist. (Hearing it in the Main Mix.) Zzzzz.
 kaybee wrote:

Is this Bill's oboe set?


It's a clarinet.
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Don't worry - neither heaven, hell or your imaginary friend exist ....




Opera? OPERA? take me to Hell.
 radioparadise9 wrote:

Don't worry - neither heaven, hell or your imaginary friend exist ....



When he read that, my imaginary friend nearly fell off his unicorn. 
wow...that touched me....beautiful...
 Proclivities wrote:

Judging by your moniker, it seems you chose the first option a while ago.
 
Never too late to change :) LOVE
 tkosh wrote:

Hmm.. I would still take Heaven.  They could play country music all day, or opera, and I'd still take Heaven...
 
Don't worry - neither heaven, hell or your imaginary friend exist ....

I'm glad that 99 other people share the same feeling about this song as me...
One of the most beautiful songs in my collection. So enjoyed Hem playing live a few years back.

[oops, seems like I said this previously]
I love this entire album. Thanks Bill.
{#Sunny}
Is this Bill's oboe set?
 Ballzak wrote:
Is that Fiver or Hazel on the cover?

 
Actually looks like neither to me - more like a hare than a rabbit, Watership Down or otherwise.
Great album.  By no means the best song on the album, however.  
Ohh play outdoors.
 TerryS wrote:

As for my steam driven Victrola, well, it is the dog's bollox.

 
Steam has a very warm sound.
 jhorton wrote:

Sounds sweet with my Arcam driving my Klipsch's.

 
As for my steam driven Victrola, well, it is the dog's bollox.
can't listen to this without thinking of Judy Tskuke's Welcome to the Cruise. Seems a direct rip-off.
 
NO !!!!!!!! Whats the the Point?


 leafmold wrote:

I'd rather rot in hell than hear this crap in heaven.

 
Hmm.. I would still take Heaven.  They could play country music all day, or opera, and I'd still take Heaven...
 leafmold wrote:

I'd rather rot in hell than hear this crap in heaven.

 
Judging by your moniker, it seems you chose the first option a while ago.
Damn. I was on my way to like this *a lot* (don't know Hem): loved the voice, the arrangements with the piano and the violin/cello and all.

But after a while, I found myself waiting for the song to take me somewhere new.
So not as great as I thought it would be. Just a 6. Everything is rather well crafted - but emotion just won't emerge from it.

I can imagine that they might be more intense, more alive (no pun intended) in concert, though.
For my ears, Hem produce beautiful music. I had the enormous pleasure of seeing them live last October when they performed this song. I hope they keep making their music.
 leafmold wrote:

I'd rather rot in hell than hear this crap in heaven.

 
Pretty harsh, 7 for me
 seiferth wrote:
If there were angels and they could sing and I could hear them this is what I'd imagine they'd sound like. It is just so smooth and effortless and tight. What a fabulous album.

 
I'd rather rot in hell than hear this crap in heaven.
 jagdriver wrote:
I could never handle this gal's singing.

 
Likewise. Insipid, boring drivel.
 pollyh wrote:
sounds exactly like Judie Tsuke!

https://youtu.be/nDLfNkwLr1U


With a bit of Judee Sill thrown in, which is no bad thing.
 

not a rabbit song!
sounds exactly like Judie Tsuke!

https://youtu.be/nDLfNkwLr1U


I could never handle this gal's singing.
Is that Fiver or Hazel on the cover?
I hear comfortably numb...
Great music though!
Come over to psd where Let it Rain is playing! SOOOOO much better than this drivel.
I love this.  Another great find from RP!  Thanks!
 romeotuma wrote:


For some reason— and there is no logic to it— the piano tinkling on this song sounds painfully abrasive to me, like fingernails on a chalkboard...

 
 
Sally Ellis has such a Beautiful haunting voice which so perfectly fits this group, The whole Album is excellent and so proffesionally put together. As for ''tinkling'' piano I sure dont hear it at my end romeotuma and I am quite suprised at your inability to appreciate, Have a listen to 'Half An Acre' you may be pleasantly suprised and get all your room mates swooning, but as its been said before , 'it takes all sorts to make a world' Not too keen on their other Albums, as they don't seem to come up to the standard of ''Rabbit Songs''
 jagdriver wrote:
INSANELY banal.
 
Ditto.....
 JayGuerette wrote:

My ears, and Bose speakers, agree... I was trying to figure out was was irritating me slightly about this.
 
Sounds sweet with my Arcam driving my Klipsch's.
Pretty amazing production
 romeotuma wrote:


For some reason— and there is no logic to it— the piano tinkling on this song sounds painfully abrasive to me, like fingernails on a chalkboard...

 
 
My ears, and Bose speakers, agree... I was trying to figure out was was irritating me slightly about this.
 djengs wrote:

Odd, considering other music you consider sooo good fo...oh never mind. Perhaps time to upgrade the hotel room to one with better speakers? I really liked it, even on laptop speakers. Much better on headphones, though.
 
Maybe time for a Valium and a pair of Genelec speakers .
 romeotuma wrote:


For some reason— and there is no logic to it— the piano tinkling on this song sounds painfully abrasive to me, like fingernails on a chalkboard...

 
 
Odd, considering other music you consider sooo good fo...oh never mind. Perhaps time to upgrade the hotel room to one with better speakers? I really liked it, even on laptop speakers. Much better on headphones, though.
I strongly recommend their "Identical Snowflakes" single from itunes: Here 

 whtahtefcuk wrote:
One of the most beautiful albums EVER! 
 
Is it like the Jane Sibery album When I Was A Boy? This song immediately reminded me of that album.
What a beautiful song.
First song/band RP turned me on to some 5 years ago.  Still gives my chills.  Thanks RP!
I like this tune.
LOVE this album!!!!
I'm going to get this CD - it's simply gorgeous, and it gentles me. Sirdroseph, I'm sorry it sends you into a murderous rage.  Perhaps you need to listen to "Shame" by Stabbing Westward - that should mellow you out a bit... (You know I'm only teasing you.) {#Mrgreen}
 seiferth wrote:
If there were angels and they could sing and I could hear them this is what I'd imagine they'd sound like. It is just so smooth and effortless and tight. What a fabulous album.
 
I recently said that about O Magnum Mysterium but it certainly applies to Hem as well.

One of the most beautiful albums EVER! 
Lovely.
Dead on. I give this song a 10.

 
seiferth wrote:
If there were angels and they could sing and I could hear them this is what I'd imagine they'd sound like. It is just so smooth and effortless and tight. What a fabulous album.
 

If there were angels and they could sing and I could hear them this is what I'd imagine they'd sound like. It is just so smooth and effortless and tight. What a fabulous album.
Rabbit Songs for all you Easter fans out there.  This CD would be a pleasant surprise in any loved one's Easter basket.
 jagdriver wrote:

I couldn't agree more. Definitely channelling Judy Collins....

 

Ewwwwww!{#Lol}
 jagdriver wrote:
INSANELY banal.
 

I must concur.{#Yes}
INSANELY banal.
I was just coming to comment on this , and see I've already made the comment I was going to make now.
 
Wait, what happened to the "I'm holding half an acre" part?

Most beautiful album in 30 years!
Love this song!  I've been missing it — haven't heard it on here in a long time  (and never hear it anywhere else — perhaps I should download it from iTunes!)
Gorgeous song!

God I love this voice.
 AliGator wrote:
My daughter once told me that this song reminded her of a video she had as a child: The Tale of Pigling Bland. It's a Beatrix Potter story. Indeed, I can hear it. So here's a wistful smile for my daughter's childhood, before strife and divorce and hurt set in.
 
Ditto, Master Gator—I mean Lady Gator.

 marmoteenha wrote:
{#Puke}
 

Nice, I've never seen anyone match Excelsior's wit and musical insight, but I believe you have come close!
 marmoteenha wrote:
{#Puke}
 
maybe you just don't like music - try talk radio.

 AliGator wrote:
So here's a wistful smile for my daughter's childhood, before strife and divorce and hurt set in.
 
As much as I find this song beautiful, this comment saddens me. I hope your pessimism isn't realised.

 marmoteenha wrote:
{#Puke}
 
I couldn't agree more. Definitely channelling Judy Collins....

WOW.. What a hauntingly beautiful album.

My daughter once told me that this song reminded her of a video she had as a child: The Tale of Pigling Bland. It's a Beatrix Potter story. Indeed, I can hear it. So here's a wistful smile for my daughter's childhood, before strife and divorce and hurt set in.
 inindian wrote:
Mhmm, nice three-song set, Grant Lee Philips, Neko Case, HEM in a row. Yum
 

he just did the same set today, too... hmm.
{#Puke}
copymonkey wrote:
Anybody else hearin' Christine McVie?
Christine has a fairly broad regional English accent. Mind you they both have heavenly voices.......
copymonkey wrote:
Anybody else hearin' Christine McVie?
Good call.
copymonkey wrote:
Anybody else hearin' Christine McVie?
Yes.
Anybody else hearin' Christine McVie?
The Weepies and Hem, all in the same afternoon . . . Life is good.
Mhmm, nice three-song set, Grant Lee Philips, Neko Case, HEM in a row. Yum
rtrudeau wrote:
If you're in the Bay Area (Northern California, that is), check out the close-out bins at Rasputin's. I was thrilled when I found this for $1.95 there.
S C O R E ! I found Glenn Cambell's Greatest Hits in one of those bins once for cheap. I was so happy.
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
Good luck. This baby is out of print. It's available on Amazon used. Still at a decent price. Though some have it at $59.98 new!
If you're in the Bay Area (Northern California, that is), check out the close-out bins at Rasputin's. I was thrilled when I found this for $1.95 there.
Another artist I learned about on RP (thanks Bill!). Seen them twice live and they're one of my favorite acts. I'd never want to miss a show anytime they swing through.
ah. another commom voice.
beautiful song but at the same time it really grates on me... 5 for the rabbit on the album cover
Dylan76 wrote:
Neko > Hem = most excellent.
Neko > Hem = most excellent.
Title translation: Hide me in the back of your entertainment center. You'll never enjoy listening to my high pitch whine.
Wow. Just wow. What a voice!
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
Good luck. This baby is out of print. It's available on Amazon used. Still at a decent price. Though some have it at $59.98 new!
CD Baby has it, just bought it
Tagish_girl wrote:
Yeah, made me switch screens from work to find out who this was. This rates a trip to the "record store" (as we used to call it, back in the day....)
Good luck. This baby is out of print. It's available on Amazon used. Still at a decent price. Though some have it at $59.98 new!
made me cry
giving me chills.
Tagish_girl wrote:
Yeah, made me switch screens from work to find out who this was. This rates a trip to the "record store" (as we used to call it, back in the day....)
Record store, record store....hmmmm....Google is helpless too. Maybe a term from another century?
This whole album is just great, not a dud track on it. Well, the same goes for all their albums...but I may be a biased fan
God I love her voice
sub-arctic wrote:
This effectively kept me from working for a few minutes. Very, very beautiful.
Yeah, made me switch screens from work to find out who this was. This rates a trip to the "record store" (as we used to call it, back in the day....)
This effectively kept me from working for a few minutes. Very, very beautiful.
peaceful..... not bad at all...
p4jkafla wrote:
I love the melody, with the piano and violin exchanging lead. Its just so peaceful. Yum!
Don't forget the clarinet with the counterpoint...!
Heartaching and frighteningly beautiful.
bryans "bdb" song -- He likes to listen to this while taking a bubble bath
Gorgeous- and I love the album artwork! It's time rabbits had more songs written for them!
pretty
Hi Roverfish:- Well, Orwell was writing about a different thing there. Great book, although nobody needs me to say that. Hi eastcoast:- No. No fan of either Narnia nor Disney. Although I liked Chicken Run. But that was a bit Orwellian, so... Hi Krispian:- I know. Loads of people loved this book. As I say, not really my thing. I think it was sort of a 'last straw' book for me. I haven't even tried to read any more anthropomorphic books since then. However, this is a great song. Keep it rotating, please, Bill.
leahnichole wrote:
Hem all day- 10
Hem in the evening-dangerous afternoon zz music.
it's been awhile since i've heard this, and i forgot how much i liked it.
Hem all day- 10
This whole album is an incredible work. The lyrics are haungtingly beautiful, her voice is incredible, and the accompaniment is gorgeous. I often put this on before bed after a long day - not because it puts my to sleep, but because of its calming and relaxing effects.
eastcoast wrote:
I take it you're not a huge Narnia fan or Disney animal fan either.
There is an incredible gulf between Lewis' works about Narnia and Disney. The Narnia stories are timeless children's fiction (ORIGINAL FICTION - although some concepts are borrowed and referenced) Disney, though I appreciate the old beautiful animation, has become a mulitbillion dollar corportation that makes it's money dumbing down fables and faery tales to sell plastic to the masses. gag. that asside, this song is absolutely gorgeous.
johnnnynav wrote:
i agree..played way too much.
On the contrary! There is no such thing as too much Hem.
i agree..played way too much.
Beautiful sounding but is now a bit annoyingly slow after hearing it a couple hundred times.
Simply marvelous.
I've read the classics, from the ponderous to the profane. Watership Down resounds in my memory as a beautifully realized work of imagination. This song ain't bad either. algrif wrote:
I hope this album isn't based on that awful ?Watership Down' rubbish...
I take it you're not a huge Narnia fan or Disney animal fan either. algrif wrote:
It was hyperbolic. I just don't like stories about animals that think and speak as if they were human. Personal preference thing. No offence meant.
Good to hear this again. I love the melody, with the piano and violin exchanging lead. Its just so peaceful. Yum!
algrif wrote:
It was hyperbolic. I just don't like stories about animals that think and speak as if they were human. Personal preference thing. No offence meant.
Better not let George Orwell hear ya, then. Hard to think of a better, more insightful, timely, and pertinent novel in which an Animal thinks and speaks, albeit on a Farm. I still have RP to thank for this excellent album and outstanding tune. Leave me here, indeed.
scruzer wrote:
I do love this song -- but please play it a little bit less. I don't want to get tired of this!
Agreed.
I first heard this on a local college radio station. It was so much different than anything else on the playlist at the time that it stood out. I haven't heard this in a while. Quite nice.