So Long Old Bean
Banhart Devendra Lyrics
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I'm getting carried up by the wind
Every time you get high
You might see me floating by
Well so long old bean
It's been a dream being with you
I couldn't tell us apart
Don't tread on me
When you float downstream
On a moonbeam
So long old bean
So long old bean
Here comes the Mapinguari singing awww
When's there gonna be an end to wondering
When all of our troubles are gonna end 'cause
We've had our fill of finding our empty pockets
Emptier still and there probably won't be
An end to that my friends
Now that my tralala's are dating
Little sips of the Hollywood bowl
They mute up my mind
How kind of them to mellow mellow mellow my soul
Well they're the gambling kind
As smooth as a tuba' ass on the dole
Money never beats soul
How noble
Don't forget me
When you float downstream
On a moonbeam
So long old bean
So long old bean
I'm a little firefly
Landing on you
The lyrics of Banhart Devendra's song, So Long Old Bean, contain a message about the fragility of human relationships and the passing nature of time. In the first stanza, the singer compares himself to being spread thin and carried away by the wind, suggesting he has become detached from his surroundings and is losing his sense of identity. He notes how others, when high, might see him floating by, highlighting his disconnect from the world around him. The singer then bids farewell to someone, referred to as "old bean," saying it was a dream being with them, but he realizes they couldn't tell each other apart, emphasizing the superficiality of their relationship.
In the second stanza, the singer uses imagery of a mythical creature, the Mapinguari, to represent the anxieties and uncertainties of life. He questions when their troubles will end and laments the emptiness of their pockets. The singer also notes how his thoughts have been muted by little sips of the Hollywood Bowl, painted as a drug reference. He praises their ability to mellow his soul, but expresses concern about their gambling habits and claims that money can never beat soul.
Overall, the song's lyrics speak of the impermanence of relationships, the emptiness of material possessions and the importance of cherishing experiences and memories in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Well these days I'm spread so thin
I am feeling overloaded and constantly busy nowadays
I'm getting carried up by the wind
It feels like I'm just drifting along without a clear direction or purpose
Every time you get high
When you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
You might see me floating by
I am so lost in my own life that I may seem like a distant, fleeting thought to you
Well so long old bean
Goodbye my friend
It's been a dream being with you
It was great spending time together
I couldn't tell us apart
We were so close that we practically became one
Oh and I know neither could you
You felt it too
Don't tread on me
Please don't interfere with what I'm doing
When you float downstream
When you are just going along with the flow
On a moonbeam
In a dreamlike state
Here comes the Mapinguari singing awww
Something unexpected and strange is happening
When's there gonna be an end to wondering
When will we finally find the answers we've been looking for?
When all of our troubles are gonna end 'cause
When will we finally be free from our problems?
We've had our fill of finding our empty pockets
We're tired of being broke and struggling
Emptier still and there probably won't be
Things are getting worse and there's no end in sight
An end to that my friends
It seems like our troubles will never truly go away
Now that my tralala's are dating
Now that I am having romantic relationships
Little sips of the Hollywood bowl
I am indulging in some exciting, glamorous experiences
They mute up my mind
These experiences are momentarily distracting me from my problems
How kind of them to mellow mellow mellow my soul
It's comforting to find some peace and tranquility in the midst of chaos
Well they're the gambling kind
These experiences are somewhat risky and uncertain
As smooth as a tuba' ass on the dole
They are surprisingly successful and enjoyable despite seeming unlikely
Money never beats soul
The things that matter most in life can't be bought with money
How noble
It's impressive and admirable
Don't forget me
Please remember me and our time together
I'm a little firefly landing on you
I'm trying to make a small impact in your life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEVENDRA BANHART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind