On January 4, 2008, after a few months hinting at "change," Dienel announced in her blog that "for the present and foreseeable future, there won’t be any more Casey Dienel." Her blog post coincided with Dead Oceans' announcement of the forthcoming release of White Hinterland's album Phylactery Factory.
Nancy
Casey Dienel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nancy braids my hair
Stirs the milk into my tea
I was a skeptic in my last life
Now i’m living out the sequence of a dream I forgot
Thru the good and the bad times
Thru the good and the bad guys
The love that grows and mends
Changes shape, never binds
CHORUS
Take my hand
Take me to a place I’ve never been
She’s a zephyr dancing on the edge of the world
Where they’re growing
Figs persimmon and peach
REFRAIN
Like a zephyr dancing
at the end of the world
burning up in the haze of the bleeding sun
We ride through the Marigny
newly gentrified
while the second line marches by
are we living or slowly dying?
VERSE 2
This land is not my land
Sunburned I hold the traitor hand
One by birth and two by circumstance
I’ve never loved anyone more or felt so alone
Thru the boom and the bust times
Thru the barons and bread lines
Like the cities of the dead
We sprawl and sink into the swamp
But til then here we are
CHORUS
Like a zephyr dancing
on the edge of the world
burning up in the haze of the bleeding sun
like a zephyr dancing
at the end of the world
We ride through the Marigny newly gentrified
While the second line marches by
Are we living or slowly dying?
BRIDGE
The cities change their face
Til no one’s left to say
If things were ever better off before
CHORUS
Take my hand
Take me to a place i’ve never been
She’s a zephyr dancing on the edge of the world
Where they’re growing
Figs persimmon and peach
Like a zephyr dancing at the end of the world
Burning up in the haze of the bleeding sun
Take my hand, come on and take my hand
take me to a place i’ve never been, I’ve never been
She’s a zephyr dancing on the edge of the world
Where they’re growing
figs persimmon and
figs persimmon and
figs persimmon and peach
The lyrics of Casey Dienel's song "Nancy" paint a vivid picture of a relationship that is both comforting and bittersweet. Nancy is portrayed as a caretaker figure, braiding the singer's hair and stirring milk into their tea. The mention of being a skeptic in their previous life suggests a transformation or change in perspective. The singer describes living out the sequence of a forgotten dream, implying that their current reality is something they never could have imagined.
Through the ups and downs, Nancy remains a constant presence. She is described as having dirt on her feet and in her hands, symbolizing her connection to nature and the earth. The love they share is powerful and transformative, capable of growth and healing. It is emphasized that this love never binds, implying a sense of freedom and openness within the relationship.
The chorus introduces the image of Nancy as a zephyr, a gentle breeze, dancing on the edge of the world. This suggests a sense of freedom, adventure, and exploration. The reference to growing figs, persimmons, and peaches further emphasizes the idea of life's richness and abundance.
The refrain continues with the imagery of Nancy as a zephyr, but it takes on a slightly darker tone. The mentioning of burning up in the haze of the bleeding sun creates a sense of intensity and vulnerability. It may imply that their relationship, while beautiful and transcendent, is also fragile and prone to being consumed by the harshness of reality.
In the second verse, the singer expresses a sense of displacement and disconnect from the land. They feel like an outsider, sunburned and holding a traitor's hand. This highlights the internal conflict within the singer, torn between different loyalties and identities. Despite feeling alone, they have never loved anyone more than Nancy.
The boom and bust times, as well as the reference to barons and bread lines, hint at societal and economic struggles. The comparison to the cities of the dead, sinking into the swamp, suggests a feeling of being stuck or trapped. However, there is a sense of acceptance and resilience in the singer's words, acknowledging that they are here until something changes.
The bridge reflects on the changing face of cities and the loss of the past. It suggests that there may be no one left to remember or appreciate what once was. This theme touches upon the idea of progress and the constant evolution of urban spaces, with a hint of nostalgia for what is lost in the process.
In the final chorus, the plea to take the singer's hand and take them to a place they've never been emphasizes the desire for adventure and new experiences. Nancy, once again portrayed as a dancing zephyr, represents the freedom and joy found in exploring the unknown. The repetition of figs, persimmons, and peach further reinforces the idea of abundance and growth.
Overall, "Nancy" is a song that explores the complexities of relationships, the search for meaning and identity, and the beauty found within both familiar and unfamiliar spaces.
Line by Line Meaning
Nancy braids my hair
Nancy takes care of me and shows me love and affection
Stirs the milk into my tea
Nancy adds sweetness and comfort to my life
I was a skeptic in my last life
In the past, I had doubts and lacked belief
Now i’m living out the sequence of a dream I forgot
Currently, I am experiencing a fulfilling and unexpected dream that was once lost to me
Thru the good and the bad times
Nancy remains by my side during both joyful and challenging moments
Thru the good and the bad guys
Nancy supports me through relationships, both positive and negative
Dirt on her feet and in her hands
Nancy is down-to-earth and hardworking
The love that grows and mends
Our love for each other constantly evolves and heals
Changes shape, never binds
Our love is adaptable and never restrictive
Take my hand
Come with me
Take me to a place I’ve never been
Guide me to new and unexplored territories
She’s a zephyr dancing on the edge of the world
Nancy is like a gentle and carefree spirit, living on the boundaries of existence
Where they’re growing
In this place, there is growth and abundance
Figs persimmon and peach
Symbolic of the diverse and fruitful environment we are entering
Like a zephyr dancing at the end of the world
Nancy moves gracefully and freely, embracing the unknown future
Burning up in the haze of the bleeding sun
Being consumed by the intensity and ambiguity of life
We ride through the Marigny newly gentrified
We travel through a neighborhood that has recently undergone changes due to gentrification
While the second line marches by
Amidst the cultural celebration of a traditional New Orleans parade
Are we living or slowly dying?
Questioning whether our existence is vibrant and meaningful or gradually losing its essence
This land is not my land
Feeling disconnected from and alienated in my surroundings
Sunburned I hold the traitor hand
Having been deceived or betrayed, feeling the pain and vulnerability
One by birth and two by circumstance
Being a part of a family both biologically and due to external factors
I’ve never loved anyone more or felt so alone
Experiencing intense love for someone but still feeling isolated and lonely
Thru the boom and the bust times
Nancy remains loyal throughout periods of success and failure
Thru the barons and bread lines
Nancy supports me even when facing inequality and economic hardships
Like the cities of the dead
Similar to the atmospheric and mysterious cemeteries in New Orleans
We sprawl and sink into the swamp
We become immersed in the challenges and complexities of life
But til then here we are
For now, we continue to face these obstacles together
The cities change their face
Urban areas undergo transformations and lose their original character
Til no one’s left to say
Until there are no longer individuals who remember how things used to be
If things were ever better off before
Wondering if the past was truly a better time
Take my hand, come on and take my hand
I urge you to join me and unite our paths
Take me to a place i’ve never been, I’ve never been
Lead me to an unknown destination where I can experience new things
figs persimmon and peach
Symbolic of the bountiful and diverse environment we will discover
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CASEY SUSAN DIENEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind