Arrah and the Ferns reformed with a new lineup and are currently based in Philadelphia. They meld many sounds of folk, country, blues, indie- rock, and pop. Their sound is not easily defined as their direction and members have changed a number of times. So far Arrah and the Ferns have released three full-length albums and an EP.
Current roster: Arrah Fisher (vocals, guitar, wurlitzer), Ryan Belski (guitar), Mike Harkness (drums), Buddy Szczesniak (bass).
Bernadette
Arrah and the Ferns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I worry is she sleeping?
Is she breathing? Is she dead?
Or a puppy, or chimpanzees,
or maybe to your baby
Lord willing...
If I'm alive this time tomorrow
then I'll have more time to kill
and maybe we could rearrange my furniture
to make lots more room to fill
You and I, we lay like fireflies
retired from those summer nights
All bottled up as victims of our child's play
And when we laugh the walls are muted by our existence
Should I be a bit more persistent when I was you to stay over?
If you're willing...
You are the only one that matters
And the only one who knows
Every inch of my perimeter
From my fingers to my toes
And I don't know where we'll be tomorrow
But I have one guarantee
For these arms once held malignancy
You know that I'm willing...
I'm willing I'm willing
I'm willing to take you home
I'm willing, I'm willing
I'm willing to follow you home
I'm willing, I'm willing
I'm willing to take you home
I'm willing, I'm willing
I'm willing to call you home...
The lyrics to Arrah and the Ferns' song Bernadette seem to be somewhat disjointed, with a few different ideas and themes woven into the verses. The opening lines describe the singer waking up and worrying about someone named Bernadette, and whether she is sleeping, breathing, or possibly even dead. The next set of lines pose the question of whether the singer would make a better mother to a pet or a human child, perhaps indicating a struggle with the responsibilities of motherhood.
The chorus of the song brings in the idea of willingness, with the singer expressing a readiness to follow and take care of the person they are addressing. The lines "You are the only one that matters / And the only one who knows / Every inch of my perimeter / From my fingers to my toes" suggest a deep level of intimacy with this person. The final lines of the song repeat the singer's willingness to take this person home, and to call them home, perhaps implying a sense of belonging or safety.
Overall, the lyrics of Bernadette are somewhat abstract and open to interpretation, but seem to touch on themes of caring, intimacy, and a desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up to the morning through my fishbowl
Starting the day feeling isolated and trapped
And I worry is she sleeping?
Concerned about someone's well-being
Is she breathing? Is she dead?
Expressing fear and anxiety
And would I be a better mother to a kitty
Questioning ability to care for others
Or a puppy, or chimpanzees,
Considering a variety of possible choices
or maybe to your baby
Recognizing responsibility to care for another's child
Lord willing...
Acknowledging uncertainty and reliance on faith
If I'm alive this time tomorrow
Acknowledging the fleeting nature of life
then I'll have more time to kill
Idle time without direction or purpose
and maybe we could rearrange my furniture
Brainstorming small, insignificant tasks to fill time
to make lots more room to fill
Aiming to create space for something new
You and I, we lay like fireflies
Sharing a moment of peace and wonder
retired from those summer nights
Nostalgic for simpler times
All bottled up as victims of our child's play
Feeling trapped by past experiences
And when we laugh the walls are muted by our existence
Feeling a deep connection with someone
Should I be a bit more persistent when I was you to stay over?
Questioning the boundaries of a relationship
If you're willing...
Looking for permission or consent
You are the only one that matters
Valuing someone's importance in life
And the only one who knows
Recognizing someone's unique understanding of oneself
Every inch of my perimeter
Feeling vulnerable and exposed
From my fingers to my toes
Describing a deep connection and knowledge of oneself
And I don't know where we'll be tomorrow
Uncertainty about the future
But I have one guarantee
Finding comfort in the certainty of one thing
For these arms once held malignancy
Reflecting on the past and overcoming hardship
You know that I'm willing...
Expressing a willingness to commit to someone
I'm willing I'm willing
Reiterating the desire to commit
I'm willing to take you home
Offering to provide comfort and support
I'm willing, I'm willing
Repeating the commitment to follow through
I'm willing to follow you home
Demonstrating a willingness to be there for someone
I'm willing, I'm willing
Repeating the commitment to follow through, again
I'm willing to take you home
Offering comfort and support, once more
I'm willing, I'm willing
Reiterating the commitment to be there for someone
I'm willing to call you home...
Offering a sense of belonging and security to someone
Contributed by Connor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MIDNAq1LINK
Bernadette is my best friend
typhenis
i love this shit