U
Bon Iver Lyrics


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I will see you off now down the back of the ridge
There's just something that I got to show you
There is domer and there's rot and the common case
It ain't nothin' what you say is true
With your long arms, try and just give some time
Presently, it does include my dues
Ain't your standard premonitions, all this phallic repetition
Boy, you tell yourself a tale or two

Man like you
Man, improve

Well, I know that we set off for a common place
And the lines have run too deep
How much caring is there of some American love
When there's lovers sleeping in our streets?

So Cerberus Ride! Bring those dead alive
Like Pirate Jenny on the Black Freighter
It'll be a long day of fixing, make something else your mission
Boy, why this shit so hard to cue?





Man like you
How you do?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "U" by Bon Iver are complex and can be difficult to interpret. The song seems to be about a relationship that has gone sour and both parties are struggling to reconcile their differences. The opening lines, "I will see you off now down the back of the ridge / There's just something that I got to show you" suggest that the singer wants to show the other person something important before they part ways. However, the following lines, "There is domer and there's rot and the common case / It ain't nothin' what you say is true" suggest that the singer is disillusioned with the relationship and believes that the other person may not be truthful or sincere.


The lyrics go on to describe the complexity of the situation and the singer's struggle to reconcile what they want with what they know is true. The lines "Ain't your standard premonitions, all this phallic repetition / Boy, you tell yourself a tale or two" suggest that the other person may be deluding themselves about the situation. The repeated refrain of "Man like you / Man, improve" suggests that the singer is frustrated with the other person's behavior and wants them to change.


The song goes on to question larger societal issues, such as the state of American love and the homeless population, and brings in references to Greek mythology and Brecht's "Pirate Jenny." Overall, the song is a complex, introspective look at a struggling relationship and larger societal issues.


Line by Line Meaning

I will see you off now down the back of the ridge
I will take you to a secluded place to show you something important


There's just something that I got to show you
There is something that I must reveal to you


There is domer and there's rot and the common case
There are elements of decay and decline in our surroundings.


It ain't nothin' what you say is true
Your words are not entirely truthful.


With your long arms, try and just give some time
Be patient and provide support with all your resources


Presently, it does include my dues
Currently, I am paying the price for my actions


Ain't your standard premonitions, all this phallic repetition
These are not typical warnings, but rather repeated images of masculinity


Boy, you tell yourself a tale or two
You are telling yourself stories to justify your actions


Well, I know that we set off for a common place
We started with a shared goal or destination


And the lines have run too deep
Our differences have created a deep divide


How much caring is there of some American love
How much love and care is there for fellow Americans?


When there's lovers sleeping in our streets?
How can we ignore the homeless who are sleeping in the streets?


So Cerberus Ride! Bring those dead alive
Call upon the mythical creature Cerberus to revive the dead


Like Pirate Jenny on the Black Freighter
Similar to Pirate Jenny who seeks revenge in the tale of the Black Freighter


It'll be a long day of fixing, make something else your mission
Fixing the situation will take time, so focus on other goals in the meantime


Boy, why this shit so hard to cue?
Why is it difficult to understand what is happening?


Man like you
You, as a man


Man, improve
Improve yourself, man


How you do?
How are you doing?




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bruce Hornsby, Christopher Messina, Justin Vernon, Naeem Hanks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@HDpiano

Bruce and Bon Iver... our heart <3

@mounthope2567

Congrats on your success

@loveiverwashereasherself4803

Bon👁Ver ruuuuulllllleeeessssss💌💋

@greatwanna

With your piano course on I can't make you love me, I started thinking you are a huge fan of JV

@gannonrinehart6077

I want Bon Iver playing at: my wedding, my funeral, the birth of my child, the death of my friends and parents, the top of a mountain, the barest valley, my most blissful moments, my darkest depression.

Thank you Justin Vernon

@Lemifer

And i want him in Argentina for once

@PoopyMcGriddle

@@Lemifer lol

@marcomixmatte

so lovely.

@LyricShai

This comment speaks to me YESSSS

@hellacompany5331

Hella real

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