I take it to be about the terrible punishments and "honour killings" that take place in Islamic communities all over the world when women don't behave as the men around them would wish; when they show too much independence or date outside of Islam or just don't behave like Muslim doormats.(She's the one who made you wild/ She made you question all your answers) These women end up with acid thrown in their faces (Acid burnt face/Clowny tear smile) to destroy their looks, confidence and sight (Baby girl, don't cry/Mama's gonna buy you a glass eye) or else they 'disappear' altogether; presumably into a river or shallow grave. (The graveyard's in the backyard Where the meadow used to be... Mom'll find me by the river)
The parts in Farsi talking about tears, about sight, about God etc. only bolster this meaning for me: (I swear to God I don't see my family anymore)It's an extremely controversial subject but one CocoRosie as women wanted to tackle somehow - how female power is feared and punished by Islam.
In her mourning, in her grief
Don't you miss the way
That she brushed her heavy hair
Oh and la la la la la
So in this part the singer is addressing the man who mutilated and killed the woman, presumably his wife, or perhaps daughter, 'don't you miss the beautiful woman you destroyed?'
Acid burnt face
Clowny tear smile
She's the one who made you wild
She made you question all your answers
Made you beg for her forgiveness
So here is what he's done to her and the reasons for it - the acid has burned her face away leaving a melted, grotesque clowny-looking face - perhaps the lips are burned away so it looks like a crying, clowny smile (I told you this is a really dark, horrible interpretation - but I'm pretty certain it's correct - CocoRosie have a way of taking the most ugly things and taking them beautiful which I really admire.) And he did this to her because she made him question his beliefs - perhaps his faith - and basically she didn't behave right for him and it made him wild, angry, crazy - but now he is perhaps begging for her forgiveness inside because he has done this awful thing but realises it is wrong and misses the memory of her beautiful hair burned away.
Baby girl, don't cry
Mama's gonna buy you a glass eye
And it will glimmer like starlight
In these acid attacks the eyes are usually destroyed, hence needing glass eyes - I'm guessing perhaps she survived the acid and tried to live on but was too upset by her disfigurement to continue with life, although her mother is trying to comfort her here, I feel.
She's got no reservations
And got no place to be
The graveyard's in the backyard
Where the meadow used to be
Now in this part I think either the burned girl is ready to die rather than live with her disfigurement or perhaps more likely the man who burned her is consumed with guilt when he looks at what he has done to her and decides to kill her (That earlier line,"Made you beg for her forgiveness" suggests he feels some kind of shame or remorse at what he's done).
Because of her disfigurement or because of her lifelong oppression, "She's got no reservations/And got no place to be", no one will miss her so he can safely dispose of her, "The graveyard's in the backyard". I also think saying that she has no reservations also refers to what she is being punished for - not showing a proper degree of reservation in her behavior, in her modesty - perhaps she dared to go out with her beautiful hair uncovered?
Lord knows my destination
Lord hears my inner prayer
Mom'll find me by the river
Soaking with her party balloons
Here are further references to religion, to God, and that this Mother figure who has been present in the background throughout this song knows where her daughter's body is - but will most likely not be telling anybody lest she meet the same kind of fate. These terrible events are hidden within the family and even other women are too scared or too conditioned to come out and protect or report the murders of their daughters, and in that sense are implicated in the crimes. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
R.I.P. Burn Face
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In her grave
Don't you miss the way
That she brushed her heavy hair
Oh la la la la la
Acid burned face clowny tear smile
She's the one who made you wild
Made you beg for her forgiveness
Baby girl, don't cry
Momma's gonna buy you a glass eye
And it will glimmer like starlight
She's got no reservations
Ain't got no place to be
He graveyard's in the backyard
Where the meadows used to be
Lord knows my destination
Lord's heard my inner prayer
Mom'll find me by the river
Sunken with her party balloons
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
The lyrics of CocoRosie's song R.I.P. Burn Face evoke feelings of loss and grief. The first verse talks about a woman who has passed away and has been buried in her grave. The singer reminisces about her brushing her heavy hair, emphasizing the beauty of her memory even though she is no longer alive. The second verse describes a woman with a burned face who made the singer wild and question all of her answers. This woman had an impact on the singer that was significant enough to make her beg for forgiveness. The lyrics switch back to a mother figure comforting her baby girl who is crying, saying that she will buy her a glass eye that will glimmer like starlight. The last verse is cryptic and talks about destiny and devotes the flowers to the ones we have loved and the ones that have been lost at sea.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation and can be viewed in many different ways. It can be seen as a reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and the lasting impressions that people leave behind, even after their death. It can also be seen as a commentary on relationships and how they can affect us even after they have ended. Additionally, it can be seen as a metaphor for the different stages of life, from birth to death.
Line by Line Meaning
In her mourning
She is grieving over a loss that deeply affects her.
In her grave
She is buried and gone from this world.
Don't you miss the way
That she brushed her heavy hair
Oh la la la la la
Do you not miss the beautiful simplicity of the little things that once brought you joy?
Acid burned face clowny tear smile
She's the one who made you wild
She made you question all your answers
Made you beg for her forgiveness
The pain from the abuse changed her outward appearance but it was the scars on the inside that made her who she was, and altered you in ways you couldn't understand.
Baby girl, don't cry
Momma's gonna buy you a glass eye
And it will glimmer like starlight
You have been hurt, but do not worry, your mother will find a way to ease the visible pain.
She's got no reservations
Ain't got no place to be
He graveyard's in the backyard
Where the meadows used to be
Once she had hopes and dreams for the future, but was left with little in her final moments.
Lord knows my destination
Lord's heard my inner prayer
Mom'll find me by the river
Sunken with her party balloons
Despite the pain and suffering, she holds on to faith and hopes to be reunited with her loved ones.
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
A tribute to those who are no longer with us, but not forgotten. It is a call to remember and cherish those who have left us.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bianca Leilani Casady, Sierra Rose Casady
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@quinnlewis2003
In her mourning
In her grave
Don't you miss the way
That she brushed her heavy hair
Oh la la la la la
Acid burned face clowny tear smile
She's the one who made you wild
She made you question all your answers
Made you beg for her forgiveness
Baby girl, don't cry
Momma's gonna buy you a glass eye
And it will glimmer like starlight
She's got no reservations
Ain't got no place to be
He graveyard's in the backyard
Where the meadows used to be
Lord knows my destination
Lord's heard my inner prayer
Mom'll find me by the river
Sunken with her party balloons
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
Flowers for the ones you loved
Flowers for the lost at sea
@NeonFoxLetsPlays
i've gained a lot of respect for CocoRosie. they really try to make their music as fun as possible for them and their audience. plus Sierra and Bianca's voices clash and compliment each other so beautifully. No other band will ever try to pull off beatboxing, rapping and opera singing at once. No other band will have clarinets and harps play alongside synths so well. No other band will be able to create such imaginary and sentimental lyrics that still are fun to sing along with.
@bambussbaumkeyboardsurfer2063
Authentic beings find their way to Xpress themselves throu, no.matter what the instrument is, even throu a baby interaction toy
@Teenspirit851
After years and years - still incredible! LOVE
@vermaledeit1799
Teenspirit851 same, i listen this suuuch a long time niw, spec this version
@djvardar
I don't usually understand why people go see their favourite bands in concert. Cocorosie reminds me that some artists make it worthwhile. Each performance is different and interesting.
@JaneDoesMind
Wow... I am seriously amazed by these girls.. Their eccentricity, originality, and style has really captivated me..
@zarataylor3190
I AM IN A DIFFERENT WORLD LISTENING TO THIS
@myinsizer
I can't get enough of CocoRosie. everybody should have them in their lives x
@MaryJohnson-fw5yf
CocoRosie saved me some time back. They save me again tonight. More than I can convey. Words can't say..my gratitude of infinite shades. 🌹🌚🎩🎶💟
@tanyatomasch9208
0h, dear Mary, same, they did the same for me💟