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Hollow and Bold
Marla Hansen Lyrics


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The wise one sat with me
Her legs crossed left over the right one
She said, "You know my girl that you're a private creeper
What you need to say you're gonna say alone"

I carried that with me through speeches
And hardly scratched the surface
Ashamed to think that they don't feel as much as I do
She said, "When I pray for him, I'll pray alone"

Of all the things I never told you
This is the lump in my throat
No matter who had come a-callin'
I would have stayed with you

I forced myself to sit
My hands folded left over the right one
And when it's done my friends
We all walk out together into the waiting cold
I am hollow and bold

We all go out to eat
Because it's what he would have wanted
And I'm so grateful for the ones he brought together
And the stories they tell that we all know so well

But later in my room
I turn the lights out and cover up the mirror
I light a candle for my dear departed teacher
And what I needed to say, now, I can say alone

Of all the things I never told you
This is the lump in my throat
No matter who had come a-callin'
I would have stayed with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Hollow and Bold" by Marla Hansen are a touching and introspective reflection on loss, remembrance, and acceptance. The song's opening lines introduce the wise one, who sits with the singer and offers her an insight into her own personality. The wise one tells her that she is a private creeper and that what she needs to say, she will say alone. These words stay with the singer and influence her public speaking engagements, where she feels she only scratches the surface and is ashamed that others don't feel as much as she does. The wise one's advice becomes a guiding mantra that reminds her that some things are better left unsaid, and that her personal thoughts and feelings are her own, to be expressed on her own terms.


The second verse deals with grief and loss, as the singer tells us that she is carrying the lump in her throat that she has never told to anyone. She explains that, no matter who had come a-callin', she would have stayed with her loved one who has departed. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the strength and conviction of the singer's resolve. The third verse takes us to a communal meal with friends who have come to pay their respects. The singer is grateful for the sense of community that her loved one created and the stories that bind them together. However, in the quiet of her own room, she covers up the mirror, lights a candle for her dear departed teacher and expresses the things she needed to say alone. The final chorus expresses the singer's feeling of being both hollow and bold, as she acknowledges the void left by the departed one, but also the inner strength she has found through this experience.


Line by Line Meaning

The wise one sat with me
Marla Hansen sat and spoke with a mentor or friend


Her legs crossed left over the right one
The mentor/friend sat with her legs crossed, one over the other


She said, "You know my girl that you're a private creeper What you need to say you're gonna say alone"
The mentor/friend acknowledged that Marla Hansen was a private person and advised her to speak her mind in solitude


I carried that with me through speeches And hardly scratched the surface Ashamed to think that they don't feel as much as I do She said, "When I pray for him, I'll pray alone"
Marla Hansen took that advice with her during speeches, but felt that she wasn't revealing her true emotions. The mentor/friend suggested praying alone for emotional release


Of all the things I never told you This is the lump in my throat No matter who had come a-callin' I would have stayed with you
Marla Hansen had a secret she never revealed and would have stood by somebody, no matter who needed her support


I forced myself to sit My hands folded left over the right one And when it's done my friends We all walk out together into the waiting cold I am hollow and bold
Marla Hansen forced herself to sit still with her hands folded, the way her mentor/friend did earlier. Afterward, she and her friends left together, feeling empty yet brave


We all go out to eat Because it's what he would have wanted And I'm so grateful for the ones he brought together And the stories they tell that we all know so well
The group went out to eat in memory of someone important to them. Marla Hansen was thankful for the connections that person brought and the shared memories


But later in my room I turn the lights out and cover up the mirror I light a candle for my dear departed teacher And what I needed to say, now, I can say alone
Marla Hansen had a private moment of reflection in her room, where she lit a candle in memory of her teacher and spoke her mind alone


Of all the things I never told you This is the lump in my throat No matter who had come a-callin' I would have stayed with you
Marla Hansen had a secret she never revealed and would have stood by somebody, no matter who needed her support




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARLA BRIE HANSEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kristenkim

Marla Hansen is to the viola as Regina Spektor is to the piano. XD
Seriously though, I can't stop listening to this on repeat. Marla's amazing! :D :)

@fletcherarc

When ever I come across a new artist like this I think...most of the really talented artist out there are people you've never heard of. Glad I found her and love her music!

@drama55music55love

i heard this on my pandora and had to look it up!!! Im so suprised there arent more views!!! Love her and her songs, i am now official a fan and will try to get all my friends to be fans!!! :) best of luck

@Gdzla350Z

There is indeed hope for the future of music after all when songs like this exist :) ♥ aaamazing!!

@schultzcourtney

I want a tab! Lol absolutely in love with this song and would love to play it on my uku (even the chords would be helpful)!!!

@jorywatkins7097

Thank you so much for making this!! I have been able to find this some NOWHERE and it's been in my head all day

@bridgetwindley7242

I love this song!!!! <3

@m.a.d.m.5425

I love this song so much

@kschreiner4097

<3 - a definite fav! So sweet.

@poodleypoodle

Love it

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