Stretcher
Bourbon Princess Lyrics
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Train is coming
Hop aboard
The light's still humming
Your shadow's blue
In the morning sunrise
And you're cold in your coat
Squeeze as hard as your tired arms will let you
It's ok
Just lay down
Can you tell us how much you've taken
Can you tell us when you began to feel unwell
Hell I guess we'll try to save you
I see that guy on the rooftop
I never knew what blue felt like
Everything's so soft & cold
Hello goodbye
My love I need a little assistance
I cannot move
They cut my pant legs open and they stole my shoes
Everything green & living
Sweats while waiting quiet in the night
The sirens came and blew on by
They check for your I'd
So they can call your next of kin
But all they find is a piece of foil
And the trouble that you're in
I feel a lot like a brandy velvet
I never knew what death felt like
I got some pennies in my pockets if you want just
Help yourself
Hello goodbye
My love I need a little assistance
I cannot breathe
They cut my pant legs open and they rolled up my sleeves
I am the sun
I am the happy sun that all the children draw
I am the crescent moon that hangs upon your wall
My fingers scribble in the bottom of the sea
I'm pretty sure that naked stretcher was for me
I am the happy sun that all the children draw
I am the crescent moon that hangs upon your wall
My fingers scribble in the bottom of the sea
I'm pretty sure that naked stretcher was for me
The song "Stretcher" by Bourbon Princess tells the story of a person who appears to be on their deathbed, as they are being transported on a stretcher. The opening lines set the scene as a train is approaching, and the person is urged to "hop aboard" while their "shadow's blue" in the morning sunrise. The singer of the song takes on a supportive role, offering comfort and asking probing questions to understand the gravity of the situation. The person on the stretcher assures the singer that they will be okay, but then admits to taking something they shouldn't have and feeling unwell.
The second verse introduces a surreal element as the singer describes seeing "that guy on the rooftop" and experiencing a strange sensation of everything being "soft & cold." The person on the stretcher is then searched by emergency responders who find "only a piece of foil" and "the trouble that you're in." The final verse includes a poetic shift where the singer takes on the voice of the happy sun and crescent moon that "all the children draw." They write "my fingers scribble in the bottom of the sea," which may suggest a feeling of powerlessness or surrender in the face of mortality. Ultimately, the singer wonders if the "naked stretcher" was meant for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Come
Invitation to come along
Train is coming
Train is arriving soon
Hop aboard
Get on the train
The light's still humming
The train is still lit up and humming
Your shadow's blue
Your state of being is sad and lonely
In the morning sunrise
At the time when the sun is rising in the morning
And you're cold in your coat
You are feeling cold despite having your coat on
Grab my thumb
Hold onto my hand
Squeeze as hard as your tired arms will let you
Squeeze my hand as hard as you can with your tired arms
It's ok
Everything is okay
Just lay down
Lie down and rest
Can you tell us how much you've taken
Can you inform us of the amount you consumed
Can you tell us when you began to feel unwell
Can you tell us when you started feeling sick
Hell I guess we'll try to save you
We will attempt to make sure you are safe
I see that guy on the rooftop
I notice a person on the rooftop
I never knew what blue felt like
I never felt so down before
Everything's so soft & cold
Everything seems dull and lifeless
Hello goodbye
Salutation indicating departure or separation
My love I need a little assistance
My darling I require some help
I cannot move
I am unable to move
They cut my pant legs open and they stole my shoes
My pants were cut open and my shoes were stolen
Everything green & living
All things that are green and alive
Sweats while waiting quiet in the night
Sweating while waiting silently in the dark
The sirens came and blew on by
Ambulance or police sirens came and went past
They check for your I'd
They verify your identity
So they can call your next of kin
So they can contact your closest living relative
But all they find is a piece of foil
All they discover is some aluminum foil
And the trouble that you're in
And the challenging situation that you are in
I feel a lot like a brandy velvet
I feel smooth and soft like a type of fabric
I never knew what death felt like
I had never experienced how it feels to die
I got some pennies in my pockets if you want just
I have some loose change in my pockets if you need it
Help yourself
Take what you need
They cut my pant legs open and they rolled up my sleeves
My pant legs were cut open and my sleeves were rolled up
I am the sun
I embody the image of the sun
I am the happy sun that all the children draw
I am the joyful likeness of the sun that all the children like to draw
I am the crescent moon that hangs upon your wall
I am the sliver of the moon that hangs on the wall
My fingers scribble in the bottom of the sea
My fingers write or draw in the depths of the ocean
I'm pretty sure that naked stretcher was for me
I strongly believe that the bare stretcher was intended for me
Contributed by Madison F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.