Diamonds and Gold
Tom Waits Lyrics
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And the rusty nails
Where the violets grow
Say goodbye to the railroad
And the mad dogs of summer
And everything that I know
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
Sleep by the side of the road
There's a hole in the ladder
A fence we can climb
Mad as a hatter
You're thin as a dime
Go out to the meadow
The hills are agreen
Sing me a rainbow
Steal me a dream
Small-time Napoleons
Shattered his knees
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
And all his disciples
They shave in the gutter
And gather what's left of his clothers
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
They sleep by the side of the road
"Diamonds & Gold" by Tom Waits is a haunting song about the raw desperation that drives men to dangerous pursuits. The opening lines set the tone for the song's themes of decay and abandonment, as Waits paints a bleak picture of broken glass, rusty nails, and wilting violets. The scene is one of decay and abandonment, a place where the railroad has been bid farewell and the summer has gone mad. It's a place where everything the singer knows has been uprooted and left to wither in the sun.
Waits uses the lyrics to describe the lengths men will go to chase their dreams of wealth and prosperity. The lines "What some men will do here for diamonds / What some men will do here for gold" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the dangerous obsession with material goods that drives men to risk their lives. Despite being wounded, they refuse to give up, climbing ever higher in their pursuit of riches. When they do sleep, it is by the side of the road, as if they have no home or shelter to turn to.
Line by Line Meaning
The broken glass
The shattered pieces of glass lying around
And the rusty nails
The old, decaying nails that have turned rust-coloured
Where the violets grow
Around the area where violets are blooming
Say goodbye to the railroad
Bidding farewell to the train tracks
And the mad dogs of summer
Referring to the heatwaves of summer
And everything that I know
Leaving behind everything that is familiar
There's a hole in the ladder
A gap that exists in the ladder
A fence we can climb
A fence that can be scaled or crossed
Mad as a hatter
Insane or crazy in the head as though the person were a hatter
You're thin as a dime
A person who is as thin as a dime coin
Go out to the meadow
Head out to an open field
The hills are agreen
The hills are rich with a lush greenery
Sing me a rainbow
Sing a colorful and bright song
Steal me a dream
Taking someone's grand ambitions or aspirations
Small-time Napoleons
Individuals of minor importance who behave as if they were great leaders
Shattered his knees
Caused him significant injury, particularly to his knees
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
He continues to ride with a sense of purpose because of Rose
And all his disciples
His followers or devotees
They shave in the gutter
Shaving in the road's low point
And gather what's left of his clothers
Picking up what remains of his clothes
What some men will do here for diamonds
The extreme lengths some individuals will go at this place for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
The extreme lengths some individuals will go at this place for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
Despite injuries, the individuals continue to climb
They sleep by the side of the road
They rest at the edge of the highway
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholaskinsey5160
The broken glass
And the rusty nails
Where the violets grow
Say goodbye to the railroad
And the mad dogs of summer
And everything that I know
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
Sleep by the side of the road
There's a hole in the ladder
A fence we can climb
Mad as a hatter
You're thin as a dime
Go out to the meadow
The hills are agreen
Sing me a rainbow
Steal me a dream
Small-time Napoleons
Shattered his knees
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
And all his disciples
They shave in the gutter
And gather what's left of his clothers
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
They sleep by the side of the road
@47ejecting2
My wife used to sing this as a lullaby to our daughter, so that version is definitive for me. But this one is good too.
@mikefiftynine
It has the sound of a lullaby. It reminds me of a song in Mary Poppins at times.
@matthewsaul3533
@@mikefiftynine I've always heard that in it as well. It actually sounds to me like part of the melody in this song is literally quoting part of the melody from Chim Chim Cheree. Might've been subconscious but the notes are basically exactly the same.
@gilthethrill9179
"Rain Dogs" is by far one of Americas top albums of all time.
@JohnnyNowhere
The fact that your comment has only garnered a measly 36 up votes is proof that your observation is nothing short of genius.
And I am not being facetious, I'm fucking serious.
@tortis6342
@@JohnnyNowhere those aren’t mutually exclusive
@flanaryclan1
Such great imagery. This will indeed be my daughters first lullaby. Thanks Tom.
@Caspero68o
Thank you Tom Waits.
@pologallachoir2707
Who's listening in 2024?🎉
@nicholaskinsey5160
The broken glass
And the rusty nails
Where the violets grow
Say goodbye to the railroad
And the mad dogs of summer
And everything that I know
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
Sleep by the side of the road
There's a hole in the ladder
A fence we can climb
Mad as a hatter
You're thin as a dime
Go out to the meadow
The hills are agreen
Sing me a rainbow
Steal me a dream
Small-time Napoleons
Shattered his knees
But he stays in the saddle for Rose
And all his disciples
They shave in the gutter
And gather what's left of his clothers
What some men will do here for diamonds
What some men will do here for gold
Wounded but they just keep on climbin'
They sleep by the side of the road