Cherokee
Cat Power Lyrics
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The wind, moon, the earth, the sky
Sky so high
Never knew pain like this
Everything die, then die
Never knew love like this
The sun, the sea and I
Never knew pain, never knew shame
Now I know why
Bury me, marry me to the sky
Marry, marry me to the sky
Feels like time is on my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down
Feels like time is on my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down
Never knew love like this
The wind, moon, the earth, the sky
Sky so high
Never knew pain like this
Everything die, then die
Never knew love like this
The sun, the sea and I
Never knew pain, never knew shame
Now I know why
Bury me, marry me to the sky
Marry, marry me to the sky
Feels like time is on my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down
Feels like time is on my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down
Feels like time is on my time
Bury me upside down, down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down.
In Cat Power's song "Cherokee", the singer reflects upon the pain and beauty of life and love. The lyrics express a sense of wonder and awe towards nature, symbolized by the wind, moon, earth, sky, sun, and sea. The first stanza introduces the theme of love and pain, with the singer admitting that they have never experienced either quite like this before. The repetition of "never knew" emphasizes the singer's sense of discovery and growth. The second stanza repeats the same melody and words, creating a sense of circularity and continuity.
The chorus of the song introduces the image of burial and rebirth. The singer asks to be buried upside down and married to the sky, implying a desire for transformation and transcendence. The use of "sky" throughout the song evokes a sense of vastness and infinity, suggesting that there is something beyond the individual's experience of pain and love. The reference to "Cherokee" in the chorus may be a nod to the Native American tribe who believe in the interconnectedness of all beings and the cycles of life and death.
Overall, "Cherokee" is a haunting and introspective meditation on the human condition. It explores the paradoxical nature of existence, where beauty and pain are intertwined and death is necessary for rebirth.
Line by Line Meaning
Never knew love like this
The singer has never experienced love like this before.
The wind, moon, the earth, the sky
The natural world, from the wind to the sky, is an embodiment of this love.
Sky so high
The sky is an endless expanse, symbolizing the depth of this love.
Never knew pain like this
The singer has never felt emotional pain like this before.
Everything die, then die
All things come to an end eventually, including the pain.
Never knew love like this
Reiteration of the unique experience of this kind of love.
The sun, the sea and I
The love is all-encompassing, like the sun and the sea.
Never knew pain, never knew shame
Along with the new emotions of love, the singer has also experienced pain and shame for the first time.
Now I know why
The singer has gained a deeper understanding of life and love through these experiences.
Bury me, marry me to the sky
The singer wants to be reunited with the natural world in death, fully immersed in the love she has experienced.
Marry, marry me to the sky
Repetition of the desire to be united with the sky in death, emphasizing its importance.
Feels like time is on my time
The singer feels like she has control over her own time, and is living each moment to the fullest.
Bury me upside down
The singer wants to be buried in an unconventional way, perhaps to symbolize her unique experiences in life.
Cherokee, kissing me
The Cherokee culture is intimately connected to the natural world, and the singer wants to be embraced by it in death.
When I’m, I’m going down
Repetition of the desire to be united with the earth and the natural world in death.
Feels like time is on my time
Reiteration of the idea that the singer is in control of her own time and experiences.
Bury me upside down
Repetition of the desire for an unconventional burial, likely to symbolize individuality and unique experiences in life.
Cherokee, kissing me
Reiteration of the desire to be intimately connected with the natural world and its traditions.
When I’m, I’m going down
Final repetition of the desire for a spiritual and meaningful death.
Feels like time is on my time
Final reiteration of the idea that the singer is in control of her own time and experiences, emphasizing its importance.
Bury me upside down, down
Final repetition of the desire for an unconventional burial, likely emphasizing the idea of breaking from tradition and forging a unique path in life.
Cherokee, kissing me
Final repetition of the desire to be connected with the natural world and its traditions, perhaps as a way to find peace in death.
When I’m, I’m going down.
Final repetition of the desire for a meaningful and connected death.
Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lm-yr4fb
Never knew love like this
The wind, the moon, the earth, the sky
Sky so high
Never knew pain like this
Everything die, then die
Never knew love like this
The sun, the sea, you and I (you and I)
Never knew pain, never knew shame
Now I know why
Bury me, marry me to the sky
Marry, marry me to the sky
If I die before my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m on my way down
If I die before my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m, I’m going down
Never knew love like this
The wind, the moon, the earth, the sky
Sky so high
Never knew pain like this
Everything die, then die
Never knew love like this
The sun, the sea, you and I (you and I)
Never knew pain, never knew shame
Now I know why
Bury me, marry me to the sky
Marry, marry me to the sky
If I die before my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m on my way down
If I die before my time
Bury me upside down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m going down
If I die before my time
Bury me upside down, down
Cherokee, kissing me
When I’m on my way down
@jameskidd3502
Loved this woman and her journey with music since 1998. Keep em coming Chan
@keith-leecastle6700
I played this album to death when it came out. I personally think Ms Marshall is a genius.
@420allyear
For me, Sun comes as close as possible to a perfect album. I love every single song on the album. And the album has a good flow to it if that makes sense. The songs are ordered great.
@alexeverson3604
That's called "sequencing"
@codyi5232
It’s her best work in my opinion. I wish the world and consumerism wasn’t able to influence her so much. She’s becoming a standard singer and elevator music or greys anatomy score.
She’s a rockstar trying to be presentable. Cant fight your own nature.
@JasonTopo
Saw her opening for Lana Del Rey last week. Best opening act I’ve ever seen and she sounded great. Glad I could finally see her live.
@1chipchap
henri crousteau and quite frankly she shouldn't be opening for anyone . The stage is hers .
@zimzimzalabim
that would've been so surreal to me. It should be the other way around, Lana opening for Chan... in what world do we live that Cat Power is not the more widely recognized artist? She's so underrated.
@michellemilligan2973
She inspired so many in the post grubge indie mivement I hate that word btw, , but she's an O.G. who inspired US aliens in the 90's and still powerful pussy hands down and she shouldn't open for anyone so blessed to see her in a no stage platform and now an all grrll like band or solo she and her music is hauntingly brilliant like Amy in every Everescence song, Boss Hog, good I miss them, Amy Winehouse, Tori Amis, P.J. Harvey and few more w or wout bands, K. Gordon, yeah there's a list but only a tribe blessed that define music you can't stop listening to like a Zombie (rip) a huge hell yes to women in music with or without us. It takes a different breed to understand. Try...why the F not.Mahalo and Aloha from Maui, Hi._Meesh Mermaid🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
@sarahlouise6507
There both amazing artists im sure lana looks up to her like a little sister she probably helps her with such deep lyrics i loce about both of them the darkest places we can go in our lives writing helps you remember things you'd seen a great gift for the soul better than any therpist can help you you start becoming your own inspiration helping others