Last night, we had the pleasure of tuning into a captivating online conversation featuring Brandi Carlile and Shelley Youngblut as part of Wordfest’s Imagine On Air series. It was a delightful escape, offering inspiration and entertainment within the confines of our current routines. The event, promoting Carlile’s memoir Broken Horses, was a welcome treat, and the book itself has already been devoured by my avid reader.
During this engaging discussion, Jane Siberry’s name surfaced, described by Shelley Youngblut as “Canada’s Kate Bush.” This immediately resonated and sparked a renewed appreciation for Siberry’s music. While I’ve been aware of her work for years, owning her album The Speckless Sky, this reference prompted a deeper dive into her discography, particularly her renowned song, “Calling All Angels.”
This Song Calling All Angels, a duet famously featuring k.d. lang, holds a unique place in cinematic history. It graced the soundtrack of Wim Wenders’ 1991 film Until the End of the World and the 1994 documentary series In Search of Angels. Siberry revisited the track for the Pay It Forward soundtrack in 2000. However, for me, the original 1991 version, also featured on her 1993 album When I Was a Boy, remains unparalleled. The original mix possesses a brighter, more ethereal quality that seems slightly diminished in the later rendition. The duet with k.d. lang in the initial release is particularly magical, creating a soundscape that truly elevates the song calling all angels to another dimension.
The lyrics of “Calling All Angels” are both poetic and deeply moving. The opening lines, a litany of saints’ names – Santa Maria, Santa Teresa, and so on – create a sense of invocation, setting the stage for a plea for guidance and comfort. The verses explore themes of human vulnerability, the search for meaning, and the delicate balance between pain and beauty in life. Lines like “Walk me through this world / Don’t leave me alone” encapsulate a universal yearning for connection and support in the face of life’s uncertainties. The repeated refrain, “calling all angels,” acts as a powerful mantra, a cry for help and hope in a world that can often feel overwhelming.
The song’s evocative imagery, particularly the sunset metaphor – “every day you gaze upon the sunset / With such love and intensity” – suggests a longing to understand life’s mysteries, yet acknowledges the beauty inherent in the journey, even with its inherent pain. This duality, the simultaneous embrace of beauty and suffering, is at the heart of what makes “song calling all angels” so resonant.
After a day spent enjoying the simple pleasures of family and the outdoors, “Calling All Angels” feels like the perfect soundtrack for a peaceful evening. It’s a song calling all angels of comfort, reflection, and hope. It’s a reminder of the ethereal beauty that exists in the world and within music, offering solace and a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves. Take a moment to listen to Jane Siberry and k.d. lang’s original duet version of “song calling all angels” and experience its timeless magic. You can find the remastered track on k.d. lang’s official YouTube channel – a truly worthwhile listen for anyone seeking a moment of peace and reflection.
