Hearst spent her formative adult years going “coastal” in Charleston, SC. She started The Boonies, who played pirate music in coffee shops, then the Borrowed Angels who played honky tonk in bars. She was the only girl in Cary Ann Hearst and The Gunstreet Girls. She and Michael Trent started Shovels and Rope in 2008 and now tour as a harmony-driven duo that features an orphan drum-set rescued from the garbage. Creating Shrimp Records in 2009, Hearst and Trent could make and market their music on their own. They have toured with Amos Lee, Butch Walker, Ponderosa, and play hundreds of shows all over the south east, into the north east and even occasionally California, France, and Chicago, Illinois.
Hearst put out "Dust and Bones" in 2007, then the Gothic country folk tales on "Shovels and Rope" were released in 2008. Awaiting the arrival of her forthcoming full length record "Lions and Lambs", Hearst promoted her EP "Are You Ready to Die", issued by Filter US Recordings and Shrimp Records.
Subsequent albums (including Swimming Time, Little Seeds, and By Blood) have been as Shovels and Rope.
Hell's Bells
Cary Ann Hearst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it on the table before they take us to jail
What you say, got a bottle to your head
And you never saw it coming, and you pretty white shirt is red
Well, guess that's what you get
When you leaned on me, I heard you asking for it
Did you not come here looking for a fight?
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Well who's that calling, is that your little darling?
Wish she come running or will she go back crawling?
On your hands and knees, baby don't you tease
Sugar momma cut you off at the knees (hey)
Well, guess that's what you get
When you were leaning on me, I heard you asking for it
Did you not come here looking for a fight?
Well you say brown liquor make you sleep all right
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Well he found you out, and the word got around
That you gave us up without a sound
You came up for air, put your feet over there
And you tried to run off, but couldn't go nowhere
Well, I guess that's what you get
You were leaning on me, I heard you asking for it
Did you not come here looking for a fight?
Well ya say brown liquor make you sleep all right
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
They say brown liquor make you sleep all right
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
The lyrics in Cary Ann Hearst's song Hell's Bells tell a story of betrayal and revenge. The opening line "Well hell's bells, what you trying to sell?" sets the tone for a confrontation between two people, one of whom has something they want to hide. The line "Put it on the table before they take us to jail" implies that there is some sort of illicit activity going on and things are about to get serious. The lines "And you never saw it coming, and your pretty white shirt is red" suggest that violence has occurred and someone has been hurt.
The next verse continues the theme of conflict with the lines "Guess that's what you get when you leaned on me, I heard you asking for it" implying that the person who has been hurt brought it upon themselves by provoking the other party. The lines "They say brown liquor make you sleep all right, Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night" suggest that the characters in the story have been indulging in drugs and alcohol which have not helped the situation. The final verse brings the story to a close with the lines "Well, I guess that's what you get, You were leaning on me, I heard you asking for it, Did you not come here looking for a fight?" implying that the confrontation ended badly for one of the parties.
Line by Line Meaning
Well hell's bells, what you trying to sell?
What exactly are you trying to convince us of?
Put it on the table before they take us to jail
Disclose everything you have to say before we get into trouble.
What you say, got a bottle to your head
Are you saying that you have a weapon pointed at yourself?
And you never saw it coming, and you pretty white shirt is red
You were unprepared for what just happened, and your shirt is now covered in blood.
Well, guess that's what you get
That is what you deserve for your actions.
When you leaned on me, I heard you asking for it
I heard you provoking me and instigating the situation.
Did you not come here looking for a fight?
Weren't you the one seeking a physical altercation?
They say brown liquor make you sleep all right
Drinking dark-colored alcoholic beverages is said to help you sleep well.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Well who's that calling, is that your little darling?
Who is the person trying to contact you? Could it be your lover?
Wish she come running or will she go back crawling?
Do you hope that she will come to you willingly or will you have to convince her?
On your hands and knees, baby don't you tease
You're begging on your hands and knees, don't play games with me.
Sugar momma cut you off at the knees (hey)
Your older female lover has betrayed and abandoned you.
Well he found you out, and the word got around
Someone has exposed your secrets and now everyone knows the truth.
That you gave us up without a sound
You revealed our secrets without any resistance or struggle.
You came up for air, put your feet over there
You took a break, but now you're trying to continue where you left off.
And you tried to run off, but couldn't go nowhere
You attempted to escape, but ultimately failed to do so.
They say brown liquor make you sleep all right
Drinking dark-colored alcoholic beverages is said to help you sleep well.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Cocaine make you grind your teeth all night
Cocaine is known to cause teeth grinding during sleep.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Cary Ann Hearst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CARYANNHEARST
HI, This Is Cary Ann. I liked trailer park guys idea for a video too, but we went with this one because it was gonna be a fun interpretation. The song is about more than one thing and is pretty up for interpretation so have fun with that. The lip stick trailer thing might have been good too, but its mostly a song about drunks, coke heads and the situations they find them selves in. Thanks for listening either way. CAH
@justice1395
Thanks for this amazing song. I’ve shown it to everyone I know. You have many fans in Saudi Arabia now lol.
Take care!
@hrdman2luv
I'm not a rock & roll fan, unless it's got a good story. And this is definitely a good story. Love the old timey video look to this. And y'alls make up. Everything about this video and song is awesome. BTW, I found your music through your duet with Hayes Carll. That voice had me. Now I'm looking up more of your music. BTW, One more things (sorry to be going on and on) but I can't find you on "I heart Radio." They have nothing on you. or "Shovels and Rope."
@McOdinson
Amazing.
@awetaiwan
such a great song, a breath of fresh air..
@wendypettyjohn7727
AMAZING in SO many ways!!!!! LOVE HER!
@camilloapril
Cary Ann your voice is mesmerizing and sexy. This song gives me chills... been listening to it for years. It actually helped motivate me to leave my abusive alcoholic ex. Your music is amazing and this song helped change my life. Forever grateful.
@MissKodaBabieee
I <3 this kinda music its like a southern gothic kinda rock thing love it
@Beauty2FX
I loved doing the make up & hairstyling on this video . Cary Ann was such a Doll to work with, love her!!!
@likeDURimSmart
I love how Cary Ann's pounding the bed with her fists goes with the beat of the drum. it's fantastic.