Scarecrow
Beck Lyrics
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With the devil tryin' to take my mind
And my soul's just a silhouette
In the ashes of a cigarette
Illusions never fake their lies
Trick cards fool the eye
Carry zeros over till they add up
Bury tears in the chapters you shut
Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell
And the rain's too plain to tell
All alone by a barren well
The scarecrow's only scarin' himself
I've been diggin' the ground
Through the dust and the clouds
I see miles and miles
And the junkyard piles
I wanted hope from a grave
I wanted strength from a slave
What gives you comfort now
Might be the end of you then
Crows are pullin' at my clothes
The wind got my fingers froze
Standing all day keepin' watch
Over all the treasures we lost
Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell
And the rain's too plain to tell
All alone by a barren well
The scarecrow's only scarin' himself
In Beck's song "Scarecrow" the singer is struggling with their own mind, as they feel the devil trying to take control. They describe themselves as a mere silhouette of their former self, a shadowy version of who they once were. The singer also notes how illusions and trickery can lead one astray, but also how one can bury their tears and struggles in the chapters of their own life. Despite being trapped or imprisoned by their own thoughts and feelings, the singer also feels a sense of detachment and loneliness, even when surrounded by miles of nothing or countless piles of junk. The refrain of the song, "Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell / And the rain's too plain to tell / All alone by a barren well / The scarecrow's only scarin' himself," drives home the idea that the singer is trapped in their own mind and emotions.
Throughout the song, there are several images used to reinforce this sense of isolation and struggle. The ashes of a cigarette and the wind freezing the singer's fingers create a desolate and empty atmosphere. The reference to a scarecrow, which is meant to ward off birds, and the crows that are pulling at the singer's clothes highlight the singer's powerlessness and vulnerability. The descriptions of digging through the dirt and dust, as well as keeping watch over lost treasures, evoke a sense of desperation and futility, as if the singer is searching for something they may never find.
All in all, "Scarecrow" is a haunting and introspective song about the inner turmoil and isolation that one can experience. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that make the listener feel as though they are walking alongside the singer on their journey through their own mind and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walkin' to the other side
I am on a journey towards something different
With the devil tryin' to take my mind
I am battling with my demons and trying to keep my sanity intact
And my soul's just a silhouette
My inner self is veiled and not fully visible
In the ashes of a cigarette
In moments of solitude, all I have is smoke and the remains of a cigarette
Illusions never fake their lies
Things that appear unreal can still impact us negatively
Trick cards fool the eye
Appearances can be deceiving
Carry zeros over till they add up
Small things can lead to bigger outcomes
Bury tears in the chapters you shut
Sometimes it's better to keep your emotions hidden rather than expressing them
Sometimes the jail can't chain the cell
Despite feeling trapped, one can still find a way to escape or find freedom
And the rain's too plain to tell
It can be hard to read the signs when life gets tough
All alone by a barren well
Feeling isolated and hopeless
The scarecrow's only scarin' himself
Fear can sometimes consume and limit us
I've been diggin' the ground
I've been searching and exploring my surroundings
Through the dust and the clouds
Despite the obstacles, I am persevering
I see miles and miles
I am gaining perspective and discovering new things
And the junkyard piles
I am also encountering negative and discarded things along the way
I wanted hope from a grave
I was seeking positivity and guidance from a hopeless situation
I wanted strength from a slave
I hoped to find empowerment from a situation of powerlessness
What gives you comfort now
The things that offer solace or comfort may not always be reliable
Might be the end of you then
The things that offer comfort may actually lead to our downfall
Crows are pullin' at my clothes
Negativity and misfortune are surrounding me
The wind got my fingers froze
I am struggling and feeling the harsh effects of my journey
Standing all day keepin' watch
I am constantly vigilant and guarding everything that I have
Over all the treasures we lost
Despite my best efforts, there have been losses along the way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BECK HANSEN, JOHN KING, MIKE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind