CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children's toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They subsequently added various backing musicians, usually a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have been a very active touring group, playing across Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
They have released seven full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah's Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010), Tales of a GrassWidow (2013), Heartache City (2015) and Put the Shine On (2020).
In 2003, Bianca was growing restless and decided it was time for a change. Leaving her apartment in Brooklyn to travel the world, she ended up at Sierra's apartment in Paris. Over the course of the next two months, the women spent nearly every waking hour in Sierra's bathroom, chosen as the most acoustic and isolated room in the apartment. Soon, they had completed both a hip-hop recording (never released) called "word to the crow" and their proper debut album La Maison de Mon Rêve.
Originally, La Maison de Mon Rêve was only intended to be distributed within a close circle of friends. However, by 2004 the lo-fi album had been released on independent label Touch and Go Records, who had obtained a copy of the CD and had uncharacteristically pursued signing the artists. Since the creation of their first album, the Casady sisters have been virtually inseparable.
Stylistically they may be assigned to the indie rock, psychedelic folk, folktronica genres, and are sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement. Sierra, who studied operatic vocal techniques, takes the lead vocals and also plays guitar, harp and flute. Bianca is a percussionist and also beatboxes. The group also uses various objects such as toys to construct their unique sound. Popular indie bands such as The xx name them as a major influence.
They were actively touring during most of 2004, playing across the U.S. and throughout Europe with artists such as TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Battles, Devendra Banhart, and Busdriver among others.
Official website: http://www.cocorosiemusic.com
Tears For Animals
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Heart so hollow I tried to swallow
Pistols, nightshade, ghosts and gallow
All you fellows climb me like a staircase, wore me down
(wore me down)
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
So long sweet thing, my old man,
Left me grieving, black and blue and tan
I’ve the feeling you’ll be kneeling
when the day turns forever into night
Hope for healing if you’re willing
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Orphan Girl, child, sing along
Stop the slaughter of our daughters
poisoning the water
Heart strings broken,
wearily tuned to the moon
Bastard widows born marooned
Nameless, faceless black-eyed soul
Slave to sorrow, find your way home
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
(Hope for healing if you’re willing)
Do you have love for humankind?
(hope for healing if you’re willing)
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
The song "Tears for Animals" by CocoRosie is a plea for humanity to have compassion and empathy towards each other and the world around them. The repeated question "Do you have love for humankind?" challenges the listener to think about their own capacity for love and connection. The opening lines "Heart so hollow I tried to swallow, Pistols, nightshade, ghosts, and gallow" sets a desolate tone, hinting at the feelings of isolation and despair that come from a lack of love and human connection. The following line "All you fellows climb me like a staircase, wore me down" speaks to the exhaustion that comes from trying to find love in a world that often feels cold and indifferent.
The song also addresses specific issues of social injustice and environmental degradation. The lines "Stop the slaughter of our daughters, poisoning the water" brings attention to the real-world problems of violence against women and the pollution of our natural resources. The verses that follow offer hope and a call to action, urging listeners to find healing and to fight for change.
Overall, "Tears for Animals" is a haunting and powerful song that speaks to the need for love, empathy and action in a world that can often feel cruel and uncaring.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you have love for humankind?
Asking if you really love humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Again, asking if you truly love humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Reiterating the question of whether you have love for humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Yet another repetition of the question of whether you love humanity.
Heart so hollow I tried to swallow
Feeling empty and trying to fill the void inside.
Pistols, nightshade, ghosts and gallow
Mentioning dangerous objects and situations that lead to a sense of despair.
All you fellows climb me like a staircase, wore me down
People using and taking advantage of the singer, leading to emotional exhaustion.
Smooth from footfall, wore me down
Continuing the idea of the people continually taking from and wearing down the artist.
So long sweet thing, my old man,
Saying goodbye to an old love.
Left me grieving, black and blue and tan
Feeling hurt both physically and emotionally after the end of the relationship.
I’ve the feeling you’ll be kneeling
Anticipating the ex-lover's return.
when the day turns forever into night
A metaphor for a long-lasting, painful experience that feels endless.
Hope for healing if you’re willing
Encouraging the idea that healing is possible, but it requires effort and willingness.
Orphan Girl, child, sing along
Addressing a young girl and urging her to join in the song.
Stop the slaughter of our daughters
Advocating against a societal issue of violence against women.
poisoning the water
Drawing attention to the pollution and destruction of natural resources.
Heart strings broken,
Feeling emotional pain and heartbreak.
wearily tuned to the moon
Comparing the weariness to the constant pull of the moon on tides.
Bastard widows born marooned
Describing a group of women who are alone and abandoned.
Nameless, faceless black-eyed soul
Describing a lost and hopeless individual.
Slave to sorrow, find your way home
Urging the lost individual to break free from sadness and find their place.
Do you have love for humankind?
Once again, asking if the listener truly has love for humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Asking if the listener has love for humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Asking if the listener loves humanity.
Do you have love for humankind?
Asking if the listener truly loves humanity.
(Hope for healing if you’re willing)
A reminder that healing is possible with effort and willingness.
Do you have love for humankind?
A final repetition of the question of whether the listener loves humanity.
Contributed by Micah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mayadelpuigzalbideapaniagu6830
Tears For Animals Lyrics
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Hoarse and hollow, I tried to swallow
Pistols, nightshade, ghosts and gallow
All you fellows climb me like a staircase, wore me down
Smooth from footfall, wore me down
(wore me down)
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
So long sweet thing, my old man
Left me grieving, black and blue and tan
I’ve the feeling you’ll be kneeling
When the day turns forever into night
Hope for healing if you’re willing
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Orphan girl, child, sing along
Stop the slaughter of our daughters!
Poisoning the water
Heart strings broken
Wearily tuned to the moon
Bastard widows born marooned
Nameless, faceless black-eyed soul
Slave to sorrow, find your way home
@braindeadbtch
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Hoarse and hollow, I tried to swallow
Pistols, nightshade, ghosts and gallow
All you fellows climb me like a staircase, wore me down
Smooth from footfall, wore me down
(wore me down)
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
So long sweet thing, my old man
Left me grieving, black and blue and tan
I’ve the feeling you’ll be kneeling
When the day turns forever into night
Hope for healing if you’re willing
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Orphan girl, child, sing along
Stop the slaughter of our daughters!
Poisoning the water
Heart strings broken
Wearily tuned to the moon
Bastard widows born marooned
Nameless, faceless black-eyed soul
Slave to sorrow, find your way home
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
(Hope for healing if you’re willing)
Do you have love for humankind?
(hope for healing if you’re willing)
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
Do you have love for humankind?
@23pinkpoppy32
This song makes my heart swell and tears come to my eyes. So beautiful.
@michaelforejt1122
Yes💗
@helenrobbins6117
The most awesome song I have ever heard, point blank.
@NickmanTraceur
Indeed
@niconestra
My sentiments as well. Perfect
@sixties9
The Antony's voice is so lovely here. Beautiful stuff, as always.
@STP420D
I first heard Antony with Hercules and Love Affair. He again does a great job with CocoRosie. Nice way they play off each other. Hope they keep collaborating. Thanks both of you for the great music.
@gettinguponthe1
oh antony, you are the greatest.
@brittanono
Oh many grand sighs. This is my heart walking around.
@mayadelpuigzalbideapaniagu6830
Love for humankind, that is the only solution to save those poor girls the song is about. Beautiful song.