Tupelo Honey
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right around the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

You can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

You can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't stop us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor intent on chivalry
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

You know he's alright
You know he's alright with me
He's alright, he's alright (he's an angel)

You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail it right around the seven oceans
Drop it smack dab in the middle of the deep blue sea
Because he's as sweet as tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee

He's as sweet as tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as tupelo honey




Just like the honey, baby, from the bee
He's my baby, you know he's alright

Overall Meaning

The song "Tupelo Honey" by traditional jazz and blues artist Cassandra Wilson is a tribute to a beautiful, pure, and sweet love. In the lyrics, the singer compares this special someone to tupelo honey, which is a high-quality honey produced by bees that gather nectar from white tupelo trees. The song's tone is tranquil and content, with a soothing melody and a simple but poetic verse that emphasizes the thematic comparisons of sweetness and purity, both of which are associated with tupelo honey.


The lyrics also touch on themes related to freedom and nobility. The singer affirms that no force can stop people from achieving their freedom or from being noble in their actions, highlighting the importance of fighting for what's right and upholding chivalry. The song's message is hopeful, with the singer stating that they have found an angel in their lover, someone who is as sweet and pure as tupelo honey and who is thus deserving of love and admiration.


Line by Line Meaning

You can take all the tea in China
Even if you give me everything valuable in the world


Put it in a big brown bag for me
Gather and present all that I desire


Sail right around the seven oceans
Travel without any boundaries or limitations


Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
Nothing compares to the depth of our love


He's as sweet as tupelo honey
My lover is gentle, kind and loving


He's an angel of the first degree
My lover is the epitome of purity and goodness


Just like honey from the bee
My lover's love is as sweet and natural as honey


You can't stop us on the road to freedom
No obstacle can hold us back from our journey


You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
We can see through any deceit or oppression


Men with insight, men in granite
Those with knowledge and strength


Knights in armor bent on chivalry
Those who live by honor and righteousness


You know he's alright
I know my lover is perfect for me


You know he's alright with me
I am content and satisfied with my lover


He's my baby, you know he's alright
My lover is precious and perfect for me




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Rhonda Bland

She is one of my favorite vocalist. Her live shows are just AWESOME!! LOVE HER!!!

Ola Akinlade

Completely underrated artist. Absolute legend of a singer. She handles this like she created it. Hasn't got enough recognition and the strings in the piece are amazing

Brave Now

What an absolutely beautiful voice Cassandra has. Consummate musician.

Rick Cornell

Still my favorite Cassandra Wilson cover, after all of these years (and "Blue Light Til Dawn" is still my favorite album....)

lulubluemoon

Mine too

Natalie Lipscomb

Mine too !😊

buckskinfringes79

Thanks Van for transmitting so much emotion with your song and thank you Cassandra for opening other avenues to appreciate these wonderful words and music.

Master Channel

Fabulous violin solo

Linda Chavers

Yes, awesome!

Free Radt

Again, another amazing version of one of many CLASSIC songs written by Van Morrison and yet she sings it as if it were meant to be HER song. WTG Cassandra! You are simply nothing less than WONDEROUS!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE U!!!

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