Dar Williams — After All
Album: The Green WorldAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1300
Length: 4:45
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Go ahead, push your luck
Find out how much love the world can hold
Once upon a time I had control
And reined my soul in tight
Well the whole truth
Is like the story of a wave unfurled
But I held the evil of the world
So I stopped the tide
Froze it up from inside
And it felt like a winter machine
That you go through and then
You catch your breath and winter starts again
And everyone else is spring bound
And when I chose to live
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed
It wasn't worth the pain my death would cost
So I was not lost or found
And if I was to sleep
I knew my family had more truth to tell
And so I traveled down a whispering well
To know myself through them
Growing up, my mom had a room full of books
And hid away in there
Her father raging down a spiral stair
Till he found someone
Most days his son
And sometimes I think
My father, too, was a refugee
I know they tried to keep their pain from me
They could not see what it was for
But now I'm sleeping fine
Sometimes the truth is like a second chance
I am the daughter of a great romance
And they are the children of the war
Well the sun rose with so many colors
It nearly broke my heart
And worked me over like a work of art
And I was a part of all that
So go ahead, push your luck
Say what it is you've got to say to me
We will push on into that mystery
And it'll push right back
And there are worse things than that
'Cause for every price
And every penance that I could think of
It's better to have fallen in love
Than never to have fallen at all
'Cause when you live in a world
Well it gets in to who you thought you'd be
And now I laugh at how the world changed me
I think life chose me after all
Find out how much love the world can hold
Once upon a time I had control
And reined my soul in tight
Well the whole truth
Is like the story of a wave unfurled
But I held the evil of the world
So I stopped the tide
Froze it up from inside
And it felt like a winter machine
That you go through and then
You catch your breath and winter starts again
And everyone else is spring bound
And when I chose to live
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed
It wasn't worth the pain my death would cost
So I was not lost or found
And if I was to sleep
I knew my family had more truth to tell
And so I traveled down a whispering well
To know myself through them
Growing up, my mom had a room full of books
And hid away in there
Her father raging down a spiral stair
Till he found someone
Most days his son
And sometimes I think
My father, too, was a refugee
I know they tried to keep their pain from me
They could not see what it was for
But now I'm sleeping fine
Sometimes the truth is like a second chance
I am the daughter of a great romance
And they are the children of the war
Well the sun rose with so many colors
It nearly broke my heart
And worked me over like a work of art
And I was a part of all that
So go ahead, push your luck
Say what it is you've got to say to me
We will push on into that mystery
And it'll push right back
And there are worse things than that
'Cause for every price
And every penance that I could think of
It's better to have fallen in love
Than never to have fallen at all
'Cause when you live in a world
Well it gets in to who you thought you'd be
And now I laugh at how the world changed me
I think life chose me after all
Comments (89)add comment
On the pantheon of musical lyrics that interpret my life's journey this belongs at the pinnical. They belong in a museum. Stunningly beautiful and heart-breakingly sad all in one.
Wonderful profoundly moving lyrics. A rare find.
kingart wrote:
They are both capable of creating perfect songs and have done so many times. This is one such; a perfect 10 for me.
I think I'm in love with Dar Williams and Patty Griffin. To me, their voices and lyrics are exquisite, unique, beautiful.
They are both capable of creating perfect songs and have done so many times. This is one such; a perfect 10 for me.
Can never get through singing along without my voice and me breaking at some point.
This is really very pretty.
kingart wrote:
Respectfully, @kingart....take a number. I saw them first and I'm calling dibs.
Dar & Patty are a-MAZE-balls!
I think I'm in love with Dar Williams and Patty Griffin. To me, their voices and lyrics are exquisite, unique, beautiful.
Respectfully, @kingart....take a number. I saw them first and I'm calling dibs.
Dar & Patty are a-MAZE-balls!
I love this woman & her music. The poetry in this song alone is worthy of 9+!
Thanks, RP, for introducing me to (yet another) amazing musician!
Thanks, RP, for introducing me to (yet another) amazing musician!
I so love her stories. I don't grab this album out enough. Tend to drift towards Mortal City or The Honesty Room. I must run through all the others again soon.
"And when I chose to live
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed. "
The older I get the more I have to say..."Now ain't that the truth?"
You realize Life, it's a marathon, and the best you can do is just keep on keepin' on.
Wait...there's a song in there somewhere? 😏😉
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed. "
The older I get the more I have to say..."Now ain't that the truth?"
You realize Life, it's a marathon, and the best you can do is just keep on keepin' on.
Wait...there's a song in there somewhere? 😏😉
bam23 wrote:
Dar Williams has that effect on me too. I miss live shows even more when I hear something like this. Having seen her perform in Berkeley, I have determined to see as many live performances, of this artist and numerous others, when the option is again available. It's too easy to assume that there will be more opportunities to experience things that matter; then a pandemic hits and the normal and commonplace things in life becomes rare.
But the expense!
Dar Williams has that effect on me too. I miss live shows even more when I hear something like this. Having seen her perform in Berkeley, I have determined to see as many live performances, of this artist and numerous others, when the option is again available. It's too easy to assume that there will be more opportunities to experience things that matter; then a pandemic hits and the normal and commonplace things in life becomes rare.
But the expense!
Nice!
Amazon, incredible song... can we like never play it again though :) Total tear jerker.
You can often identify a folk song by the number of stanzas- never just one or two.
It's a good thing to tell a story in song.
It's a good thing to tell a story in song.
SECA_Alan wrote:
Dar Williams has that effect on me too. I miss live shows even more when I hear something like this. Having seen her perform in Berkeley, I have determined to see as many live performances, of this artist and numerous others, when the option is again available. It's too easy to assume that there will be more opportunities to experience things that matter; then a pandemic hits and the normal and commonplace things in life becomes rare.
This song makes me cry, in a good way. She does that in another song too.
A beautiful poet.
A beautiful poet.
Dar Williams has that effect on me too. I miss live shows even more when I hear something like this. Having seen her perform in Berkeley, I have determined to see as many live performances, of this artist and numerous others, when the option is again available. It's too easy to assume that there will be more opportunities to experience things that matter; then a pandemic hits and the normal and commonplace things in life becomes rare.
This song makes me cry, in a good way. She does that in another song too.
A beautiful poet.
A beautiful poet.
Richman wrote: blessed!
yeah, just read the lyrics, and having stopped for breakfast at my partner's Cafe, I remember looking at the rising Sun, piercing through the clouds. Reflecting on childhood, friendships made and unmade, lovers held and let go, mountain routes climbed (a couple fallen down!)...life, Soul, chose me.
yeah, just read the lyrics, and having stopped for breakfast at my partner's Cafe, I remember looking at the rising Sun, piercing through the clouds. Reflecting on childhood, friendships made and unmade, lovers held and let go, mountain routes climbed (a couple fallen down!)...life, Soul, chose me. pallasathene82 wrote:
Thank you for this information. It speaks to me of how important this song is to her, which makes it even more meaningful to me.
pallasathene82 continued:
> And it makes me cry every. Single. Time.
Yeah. It's hard to say whether that moisture is about sadness; or joy (life chose me after all); or about awe in the face of depth.
DAr has played this at every concert of hers I've attended.
Thank you for this information. It speaks to me of how important this song is to her, which makes it even more meaningful to me.
pallasathene82 continued:
> And it makes me cry every. Single. Time.
Yeah. It's hard to say whether that moisture is about sadness; or joy (life chose me after all); or about awe in the face of depth.
I think I'm in love with Dar Williams and Patty Griffin. To me, their voices and lyrics are exquisite, unique, beautiful.
2→4
This one’s growing on me.
This one’s growing on me.
Such a distinctive voice. Lots of better stuff than this out there by her though.
"And when I chose to live
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed
It wasn't worth the pain my death would cost
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed
It wasn't worth the pain my death would cost
So I was not lost or found"
Gawd I can think of no finer summation of the decision we all face, and make, either consciously or unconsciously, to (continue to) walk the path of life to its ultimate conclusion. All the while taking it all in as best we may. Indeed, it's just a line we cross, isn't it?
So enjoy your walk; may it be long and trouble free, or at least as trouble free as life ever is. My thoughts to the denizens of Paradise, the center of the firestorm that is raging in northern California even as I type this right now...
Highlow
American Net'Zen
yeah, just read the lyrics, and having stopped for breakfast at my partner's Cafe, I remember looking at the rising Sun, piercing through the clouds. Reflecting on childhood, friendships made and unmade, lovers held and let go, mountain routes climbed (a couple fallen down!)...life, Soul, chose me. scrubbrush wrote:
Amazing. I'm having the same experience. I didn't think much of the song until i started reading the lyrics (everyone should download and try out "Minilyrcs" if they use winamp. It works with RP and pulls up the songs lyrics as the song changes).
anyway, i like the song A LOT for the lyrics
Thank you scrubbrush, this is great! I'ma gonna especially use it when "Ripple" comes on. Great singalong song and I never remember the words.
Amazing. I'm having the same experience. I didn't think much of the song until i started reading the lyrics (everyone should download and try out "Minilyrcs" if they use winamp. It works with RP and pulls up the songs lyrics as the song changes).
anyway, i like the song A LOT for the lyrics
Thank you scrubbrush, this is great! I'ma gonna especially use it when "Ripple" comes on. Great singalong song and I never remember the words.
What a transition from csn to dar.
Nicely done.
Nicely done.
I love these beautiful lyrics.
sing it Dar omg.
I burst into tears.
I burst into tears.
pallasathene82 wrote:
DAr has played this at every concert of hers I've attended. And it makes me cry every. Single. Time.
Fuck, now I'm crying again.
Fuck, now I'm crying again.
7 > 8. Lovely song writing.
DAr has played this at every concert of hers I've attended. And it makes me cry every. Single. Time.
Fuck, now I'm crying again.
Fuck, now I'm crying again.
Damn, she's good, isn't she?
It's so super special! Aaawww!
PSD! PSD!
Danimal174 wrote:
..sorry to hear Danimal..hope there's a catharsis for ya in this tune & others on RP..a def 8! here & poss greater with greater exposure..
Possibly my favorite song by Dar. After the rough time I've had losing my mom recently, these lyrics are hard to hear but are definitely needed.
..sorry to hear Danimal..hope there's a catharsis for ya in this tune & others on RP..a def 8! here & poss greater with greater exposure..
Possibly my favorite song by Dar. After the rough time I've had losing my mom recently, these lyrics are hard to hear but are definitely needed.
philbertr wrote:
I was just going to say the exact same thing. I rated the song an 8 based just on the lyrics. I'll have to listen another time or two to see if the music is equal to the lyrics.
Amazing. I'm having the same experience. I didn't think much of the song until i started reading the lyrics (everyone should download and try out "Minilyrcs" if they use winamp. It works with RP and pulls up the songs lyrics as the song changes).
anyway, i like the song A LOT for the lyrics
I was just going to say the exact same thing. I rated the song an 8 based just on the lyrics. I'll have to listen another time or two to see if the music is equal to the lyrics.
Amazing. I'm having the same experience. I didn't think much of the song until i started reading the lyrics (everyone should download and try out "Minilyrcs" if they use winamp. It works with RP and pulls up the songs lyrics as the song changes).
anyway, i like the song A LOT for the lyrics
So Pretty, Awesome lyrics,
Thanks Bill & Rebecca
Thanks Bill & Rebecca
govna wrote:
I was just going to say the exact same thing. I rated the song an 8 based just on the lyrics. I'll have to listen another time or two to see if the music is equal to the lyrics.
those are some pretty amazing lyrics.
I was just going to say the exact same thing. I rated the song an 8 based just on the lyrics. I'll have to listen another time or two to see if the music is equal to the lyrics.
those are some pretty amazing lyrics.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
I second this.
Less David Byrne, more Dar?
I second this.
Great lyrics.
yawn. nothin new. 
fredriley wrote:
You're going to golf and you want to wake up?
This is awfully dull, though. I can hear that the song is heartfelt and it's telling an important story, but it's the end of the week, I'm on a sleep deficit, and I can feel a state of narcoleptic stupor coming on...
Put the kettle on Fred! Put the kettle on...
You're going to golf and you want to wake up?
This is awfully dull, though. I can hear that the song is heartfelt and it's telling an important story, but it's the end of the week, I'm on a sleep deficit, and I can feel a state of narcoleptic stupor coming on...
Put the kettle on Fred! Put the kettle on...
gumbo73039 wrote:
You sound like a real catch for that lucky girl please don't have kids
Bah. Emotions n stuff. Ack, I'm a bloke me, givus summat wi tempo!
You sound like a real catch for that lucky girl
please don't have kids blotto wrote:
You're going to golf and you want to wake up?
This is awfully dull, though. I can hear that the song is heartfelt and it's telling an important story, but it's the end of the week, I'm on a sleep deficit, and I can feel a state of narcoleptic stupor coming on...
This music this am is killing me. I have a golf tourney in a couple of hours, and this,,, C,S&Y,,,,,S&G
this stuff is putting me to sleep.
Please Bill, I need to wake up, not doze off.
this stuff is putting me to sleep.
Please Bill, I need to wake up, not doze off.
You're going to golf and you want to wake up?
This is awfully dull, though. I can hear that the song is heartfelt and it's telling an important story, but it's the end of the week, I'm on a sleep deficit, and I can feel a state of narcoleptic stupor coming on...
Exceptionally beautiful voice...
This music this am is killing me. I have a golf tourney in a couple of hours, and this,,, C,S&Y,,,,,S&G
this stuff is putting me to sleep.
Please Bill, I need to wake up, not doze off.
this stuff is putting me to sleep.
Please Bill, I need to wake up, not doze off.
Ah, seems like we haven't heard a lot of Dar lately on RP, it's good to hear that voice again.
Less David Byrne, more Dar?
Less David Byrne, more Dar?
Bah. Emotions n stuff. Ack, I'm a bloke me, givus summat wi tempo!
Its dat der Dar Williams again, I like it...
Man, I like that voice.
lOvE HeR!
Just what I needed...
MediaGrrl wrote:
love this song. i want to hug her.
I did once.
love this song. i want to hug her.
A favorite Dar song of mine!
Joan Baez -> Joni Mitchell -> Dar Williams ... sweet
man I'm choking here on the smothering introspection. Navel gazing and poetry make a disgusting combination that is all too often too tempting for "artists" to avoid.
Really striking me poignantly today.
Lovely. This song is the step from winter to early spring... it has that quiet feel of the first green.
Anyway, I must agree with the influence of "The Christians and the Pagans" - that song so totally won me over to Dar Williams that I will forever love her, no matter what she does in the future.
If you like this, I'd also recommend Cry, Cry, Cry (the name of the group and album). It's a collaboration between Dar, Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky.
Carl wrote:
check out her "Mortal City" album --
Honesty Room is incredible too. She wandered a bit with End of Summer (3rd?) and I lost track of her for a good while. This song's nice enough, but pales in comparison to the first couple albums (IMHO).
poopypants wrote:
Dime a dozen.
what a coincidence, that's what the say about you . . .
Dime a dozen.
This is one of my fav's. I take back my previous comment about RP. Sorry
UltraNurd wrote:
Dunno, but this song just doesn't do it for me. I feel bad rating this relatively mediocrely, since I like her other stuff I've heard here on RP.
I agree. This is a disconnect in both the singing and playing. The intended feelings in this song fall short for me.
I love this song, poetic, lyrical, sad and hopeful at the same time
Great feeling here
Dunno, but this song just doesn't do it for me. I feel bad rating this relatively mediocrely, since I like her other stuff I've heard here on RP.
honestly, it is hard to find the words to describe the feelings that this song is capable of bringing up in me. hopefully the "10" says something.
Like that last comment says, "The Christians and the Pagans" did it for me. I love her voice...and what a song the aforementioned is. Also catch her singing "Shades of Grey", another personal favorite.
For those who aren't sure about Dar Williams, check out her "Mortal City" album -- especially the tracks "The Christians and The Pagans" and "The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-Ed". It's hard to not like someone who can write and sing these. This (her second) album has many great songs.
Wow, what songwriting and lyrics. Very nice.
So much like Sandy Denny from Fairport Convention.
Listen to 'Crazy Man Michael'. Even better, how about RP playing it.
I like this girl.
Anyone else think this sounds like a Janis Ian song. I would have thought that's who this was if Bill hadn't said something.
I like Dar, but this is just a bit too slow and plodding for my taste.
Hmm, I just can\'t make myself like her. I find her voice weak and forced, her melodies bland, and her songs *way* longer than they have a right to be. Looks like I\'m perhaps in the minority... c\'est la vie.
The more people who hear Dar\'s music, the better the world will be. She is a gem. 
Soul music. As in good for the soul. :)
This is such a fantastic song. Working through the depths of depression, finishing with realization and hope. Such a great songwriter.
I agree that "What do you hear in these sounds" is a great upbeat version with a similar theme. And I love dancing naked in my living room.
Can't wait for the new album next month....
I saw her live here in State College PA. Very nice show - a lovely songwriter. And I really like the fact that, in person, she a complete dork. Makes me warm and fuzzy. 
"then the sun rose
with so many colors it nearly broke my heart..."
Brilliant songwriter.
Check out "What do you hear in these sounds?" for the same great writing in an upbeat, dance-naked-in-your-living-room package. :D
Heard this one a lot, but it still brings a tear to my eye hearing it here.
So, no, "unengaging" doesn't do it for me.
Totally unengaging. Yes, for me to poop on.
Thank you for this information. It speaks to me of how important this song is to her, which makes it even more meaningful to me.
pallasathene82 continued:
> And it makes me cry every. Single. Time.
Yeah. It's hard to say whether that moisture is about sadness; or joy (life chose me after all); or about awe in the face of depth.
Excellent ~ awe In the face of depth... beautifully and truy written bus_error! Thank you very much 😊