Baby Birch
Joanna Newsom Lyrics

This is the song for Baby Birch
The song is dedicated to a person named Baby Birch.

Though I will never know you
The singer will never have the chance to meet Baby Birch.

And at the back of what we've done
Despite everything that has happened, Baby Birch's existence is acknowledged.

There is the knowledge of you
Baby Birch's presence is recognized and valued.

Well, I wish we could take every path
The singer wishes they could explore every possible life path with Baby Birch.

Could spend a hundred years adoring you
The singer wants to spend a long time appreciating Baby Birch.

Yes, I wish we could take every path 'cause you know
The singer wants to experience every possible moment with Baby Birch.

I hated to close the door on you
The singer regrets the times they had to part ways with Baby Birch.

Do you remember staring up at the stars?
The singer is addressing Baby Birch and asks if they remember gazing at the stars.

So far away in their bullet-proof cars
The stars are distant and untouchable like bullet-proof cars.

When we heard the rushing, slow intake
The singer recalls a moment where they both heard a slow intake of sound.

Of the dark, dark water and the engine brakes
The sound was made of dark water and engine brakes.

And I said how about them engine brakes?
The singer commented on the sound they heard.

And if I should die before I wake
The singer brings up the possibility of dying.

Will you keep an eye on baby birch?
The singer asks Baby Birch to look after themselves if the singer were to die.

Because I'd hate to see her make the same mistake
The singer fears that Baby Birch might make a mistake the singer has already made.

When it was dark I called and you came
The singer remembers a time when Baby Birch helped them in the dark.

When it was dark I saw shapes
The darkness made things appear different or unrecognizable.

When I see stars I feel your hand
The starry night sky reminds the singer of Baby Birch's touch.

And I see stars and I reel again
The sight of stars causes an overwhelming emotional reaction in the singer.

Well mercy me, I'll be goddamned
The singer expresses surprise or shock.

It's been a long, long time since I last saw you
It has been a while since the singer has seen Baby Birch.

And I have never known the plan
The singer is unsure of how their future with Baby Birch will turn out.

It's been a long, long, time
The singer emphasizes how much time has passed since they last saw Baby Birch.

How are you?
The singer asks how Baby Birch is doing.

Your eyes are green, your hair is gold
The singer describes Baby Birch's physical features.

Your hair is black, your eyes are blue
The singer humorously corrects themselves and describes Baby Birch's actual physical features.

I closed the ranks and I doubled back
The singer retreated and pulled away from a situation.

But you know I hated to close the doggone door on you
The singer feels regret for having to distance themselves from Baby Birch.

We take a walk along the dirty lake
The singer and Baby Birch go for a walk near a lake.

Hear the goose cussing at me over her eggs
The singer encounters an angry goose protecting its eggs.

You poor little cousin, I don't want your dregs
The singer speaks to someone who they see as inferior or insignificant.

A little baby fussing over my legs
The singer experiences annoyance with a small child bothering them.

There is a blacksmith and there is a shepherd and there is a butcher boy
There are different professions represented in the area.

And there is a barber who's cutting and cutting away at my only joy
The singer is experiencing pain or sadness due to someone taking away their joy.

I saw a rabbit as slick as a knife and as pale as a candlestick
The singer describes how they saw a distinctive-looking rabbit.

And I had thought it'd be harder to do but I caught her and skinned her quick, held her there
The singer killed and skinned the rabbit, feeling surprised at how easy it was.

Kicking and mewling upended unspooling unsung and blue
The rabbit was in pain and struggled as it died.

Told her wherever you go little runaway bunny I will find you
The singer speaks to the dead rabbit as if it were alive, making a threat or promise.

And then she ran
The singer acknowledges that the rabbit is actually dead and cannot run away.

As they're liable to do
The singer comments that rabbits are known to run away.

Be at peace baby, and be gone
The singer wishes Baby Birch peace and happiness before saying goodbye.

Be at peace baby, and be gone
The singer repeats their wish for Baby Birch to find peace and leave.