Tupelo Honey/Angel
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 round 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, baby, from the bee

Now 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, baby, from the bee

I heard a tale of old Manhattan
I've never been there, but I want, want to go
Standing waiting on my number
And my number, it's gonna show

He's as sweet as Tupelo, Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee

He's as sweet, 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, baby, from the bee
He's as sweet, he's as sweet

Overall Meaning

as Tupelo honey


The song Tupelo Honey/Angel by Cassandra Wilson is a cover of the Van Morrison classic "Tupelo Honey", a poetic and romantic ballad with a bluesy and soulful touch. The lyrics evoke strong images of sweetness, connection, and freedom, and convey a sense of deep appreciation and admiration for a special someone. The repeated phrase "He's as sweet as Tupelo honey" suggests that love and sweetness are intimately connected and that the subject of the song embodies the essence of both. The metaphor of the angel further emphasizes the otherworldly and divine qualities of this person, which are worthy of admiration and respect.


The song also makes references to historical and cultural icons and symbols, such as the tea trade of China, the seven oceans, the road to freedom, men with insight and knights in armor, and old Manhattan. These references create a sense of timelessness and universality, as well as a connection to the past and to larger themes of human history and aspiration. The song thus becomes more than a love song, but a celebration of life and its many wonders and mysteries.


Line by Line Meaning

You can take all the tea in China
Anything can be given to me if it is given out of sincere love and not materialism


He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The person being described is incredibly sweet and has a good heart


Now you can't stop us on the road to freedom
No obstacle or barrier can stand in the way of progression and liberation


Men with insight, men in granite
People with wisdom and resilience are paving the way for progress


I heard a tale of old Manhattan
There are stories of greatness from places we have yet to explore


Standing waiting on my number
Awaiting an opportunity to prove oneself


He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Reemphasizing how sweet and kind the person being described is




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found