When they come from the over the mountain
Yeah we'll run we'll run right around them
We've got no guns no we don't have any weapons
Just our corn and the children

The dust runs, the dark clouds, but not us, but not us
While we pay for mistakes with no meaning
All your gifts and all your peace is deceiving
And still I pay dissolves with believing
That peace comes, their peace comes, that peace comes, their peace comes

Now that our bones lay buried below us
Just like stones pressed into the earth
Well we ain't known by no one before us
And we begin with this one little birth
That grows on, that grows on, that grows on, that grows on
Crippled crow, say something for grieving
Where do we go
Once we start leaving?

Well close that wound
Or else keep on bleeding
And change your tune
It's got no meaning

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's song "Cripple Crow" depict a story of migration and survival. The song begins with the arrival of an unknown group of people over the mountain, and the singer's instinct to escape and run away. The group of people seems to be a possible threat, as the singer mentions not having any weapons, only their corn and the children. This portrays the vulnerability of the singer's community, being at a disadvantage against the invading group. However, they continue to persist and live their lives, despite the challenges they face. The lyrics highlight the theme of survival, and the idea that people can exist with very little, and still persevere.

The second verse is reflective, and speaks to the struggle that the singer's community faces. They are paying for "mistakes with no meaning," suggesting that those in power may be the cause of their struggles. The singer questions the validity of the gifts and peace given to them. The lyrics suggest that despite this, the singer still holds on to hope that peace may come. This hopefulness is exhibited through the repetition of "peace comes, their peace comes."

The final verse talks about the enduring nature of life, that though people may die, life goes on. The singer speaks to the legacy that will be left behind, insinuating that through the birth of a new life, the community's way of life will continue. The lyrics request for the 'crippled crow' to say something for grieving and address the question of where they go once they start leaving. Lastly, the song ends with the plea to 'close that wound' or 'change your tune' as they represent the two choices one has when it seems unbearable - to either heal the wound or continue in the same way.

Line by Line Meaning

When they come from the over the mountain
We expect trouble to come soon

Yeah we'll run we'll run right around them
We will avoid the trouble by escaping

We've got no guns no we don't have any weapons
We are defenseless and unable to fight

Just our corn and the children
All we have is our food and our young ones

The dust runs, the dark clouds, but not us, but not us
Natural disasters may occur around us, but we remain unaffected

While we pay for mistakes with no meaning
We suffer the consequences of mistakes that were not ours

All your gifts and all your peace is deceiving
The peace and gifts we receive from others are not genuine

And still I pay dissolves with believing
I continue to hold onto hope despite ongoing hardships

That peace comes, their peace comes, that peace comes, their peace comes
We hope that peace will eventually come for us and for others

Now that our bones lay buried below us
We now consider those who came before us and have passed away

Just like stones pressed into the earth
Their memory is permanently imprinted onto the land

Well we ain't known by no one before us
Our legacy will not be as revered as those who came before us

And we begin with this one little birth
We start with humble beginnings

That grows on, that grows on, that grows on, that grows on
We continue to persevere and grow despite challenges

Crippled crow, say something for grieving
We seek guidance and comfort in difficult times

Where do we go Once we start leaving?
We ponder what comes next after we pass away

Well close that wound Or else keep on bleeding
We must work to heal our emotional wounds or suffer the consequences

And change your tune It's got no meaning
We must adjust our perspective and behavior to find true purpose

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Thais Nicols

on Mi Negrita

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