American Sign Language (ASL) Version of Nickel Creek’s haunting song “The Lighthouse’s Tale.” Performed by Stephen Torrence. Lyrics/gloss below: I am a lighthouse worn by the weather and the waves I LIGHTHOUSE, WEATHER, WAVES DETERIORATE-ME I keep my lamp lit to warn the sailors on their way LIGHT-ALL, WARN SAILORS (SAILING AWAY) I’ll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past I TELL STORY, SHOW-YOU MY PAST I was so happy but joy in this life seldom lasts PAST I HAPPY, BUT JOY NOT CONTINUE I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea I HAVE CARETAKER, HE HELP-ME WARN SHIPS We had grown closer ’til his joy meant everything to me TWO-OF-US CLOSE, I DEPEND-ON-HIM And he was to marry a girl who shown with beauty and light HE PLAN MARRY GIRL, BEAUTIFUL, BRIGHT They loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into nights TWO-OF-THEM LOVE, THREE-OF-US WATCH SUNSET And the waves crashing around me WAVES (CRASH AROUND) The sand slips out to sea SAND (GOES-OUT-INTO) SEA And the winds that blow remind me WIND (BLOWING) REMIND-ME Of what has been and what can never be PAST AND FUTURE LOST She’d had to leave us; my keeper, he prayed for a safe return GIRL MUST LEAVE, CARETAKER PRAY SHE COME-BACK But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned NIGHT, WEATHER BECOME STORM He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wind WE WATCH, SHIP (MOVING), WIND (ASSAULT IT) And me so helpless, as dashed against the rocks she met her end I ….
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How are you supposed to see the signing when your eyes gave welled up with tears. That was beautiful. What I could see of it ….
This song is so sad. IT’s amazing though
Wow, I’m hearing but I find some of these performances really hypnotic, especially yours, your really good!
Great job. I initally didn’t watch this because I thought the artist was Nickleback
Applause! Very spiritual .
*beautiful*
Beautiful…simply beautiful :)…*thats better*
Beautiful…simply beautiful :)…*thats better*
Beatutiful…simply beautiful 🙂
I don’t agree with this. This is like saying why translate books into other languages? I’m Chinese-English bilingual and even though most Chinese people know some English, they still prefer reading in their native Chinese because they can experience it better since they have more fluency with their own language. I’m sure it’s the same with deaf and HOH folks for which ASL is their first language.
This song brought tears to my eyes. Your signing is beautiful and fluid and your facial expressions are very moving. My wife and I are beginning to learn sign language together because of her hearing problem. Signing along with the songs you have posted helps me to practice the flow and grammatical nuances.
You truly captured the emotion and pain in this song perfectly with your facial expressions. This was incredibly moving for me – even if I don’t know any sign language. You’re amazing. Please, keep doing what you’re doing. It’s inspiring.
Beautiful song, and yet another beautiful interpretation. Thanks for sharing!
I just wanted to say Thank you for this video, to me sign language holds so much deeper meaning then words, and that was so moving, it was beautiful. I am teaching myself sign language and I am using your videos for some of my teaching!
wow. that made me cry. thank you very much for sharing.
it would be more efficient to post the song lyrics and let the deaf folks read them for themselves – though that would lack this nice human touch, for sure
on the very last line, are you signing past? the line is talking about STILL warning sailors.
This is my favorite song. I don’t know any ASL, but you have done a wonderful job. Beautiful beautiful. Please continue with your talent!
another beautiful video!
omg tht was sooo cool plus i just LOVED ur facial expressions too, and this is one of my fav. songs.. great job
wow just wow i love this song and u man made me cry i have been doing sign langauge sinced i was 2 years old and it really touched me great job mate hugs and many blessings to u
you did a really good job. 🙂 and your very cute.
I’m considered a jock at my high school and I like to consider myself tough and manly. Unfortunately it’s hard for me to keep that image when I started tearing up while we saw this in my ASL 2 class for the first time.
very pretty song…
i just found Your video, and I am amazed! I am a level one student, about halfway through my school year.
i did this song for my semester final, though with a slightly different collection of signs. =)
wonderful interpretations!