As a live artist he often performs all on his own, with his one man band on electric guitar, drums, kazoo and harmonica, but he also performs with a full band.
In reviews he has been compared with artists like RL Burnside, Tom Waits, White Stripes and Son House etc with one thing underlined: He's a quite unique artist with an untouched feeling in his music and expression.
Norgren has released eight studio albums: Kerosene dreams (Superpuma Records, 2007), Outskirt (Superpuma Records, 2008), Horrifying Deatheating Bloodspider (Superpuma Records, 2010), Black Vultures (2011), Buck (2013), Alabursy (2015), The Green Stone (2015) and Wooh Dang (2019)
Why May I Not Go Out And Climb The Trees?
Daniel Norgren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trees have fingers that may steal the earth from me
Why may I not go play out in the barn?
The barnhand may take you, and drown you in the tar
I want to go and find the little cat?
The cat's been found and taken by the rats
Where will the sun be when the sky is black?
May I let the puppy sleep here in my bed?
Puppies got bugs that lay eggs inside your head
Why may I not stay up and be with thee?
I don't like children who doesn't want to sleep
The song "Why May I Not Go Out And Climb The Trees?" by Daniel Norgren is a poignant exploration of the permission-seeking nature of childhood, and the sometimes incomprehensible rules and restrictions that adults impose upon children. The song is a plaintive plea from a child who wants to go and explore the world around them, but who is constantly met with fear-mongering warnings and prohibitions from the adults around them. The child longs to climb trees and play in the barn, but is told that the trees have fingers that can steal the earth, and that the barnhand might drown them in tar. When the child asks to find the little cat, they are told that the cat has already been taken by the rats. Even the simple act of letting a puppy sleep in their bed is forbidden, as the puppy might have bugs that lay eggs inside their head. The song builds to a haunting crescendo as the child begs to stay up and be with the person they are addressing, only to be told that they don't like children who don't want to sleep.
The lyrics of this song touch on the universal experience of children seeking freedom and independence, and adults seeking to protect and shelter them from the dangers of the world. The metaphorical language used to describe the dangers of the natural world and the people in it (trees with fingers that steal the earth, barnhands who drown children in tar) highlights the fear that adults often project onto children, in an attempt to keep them safe. The repeated refrain of "why may I not" suggests the frustration and confusion that children feel when they are constantly denied the chance to explore and learn about the world around them. Ultimately, the song highlights the tension between the desire for adventure and exploration, and the need for safety and protection, and the difficult balance that parents and caregivers must strike when guiding children through the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Why may I not go out and climb the trees?
I'm curious why you won't let me climb the trees out there.
Trees have fingers that may steal the earth from me
Just trying to tell you that the branches may break and hurt me.
Why may I not go play out in the barn?
Can't I just have some fun out in the barn?
The barnhand may take you, and drown you in the tar
I know you don't want me to go because you think the barnhand is a bad guy.
I want to go and find the little cat?
Is it okay if I go find the cat that's been missing?
The cat's been found and taken by the rats
Sorry to say that the cat is probably gone for good.
Where will the sun be when the sky is black?
I'm just asking where the sun goes at night when the sky is dark.
You will have all night to ponder about that
You'll just have to think about it all night and come up with your own answer.
May I let the puppy sleep here in my bed?
Can I keep the puppy with me and let it sleep in my bed?
Puppies got bugs that lay eggs inside your head
You shouldn't keep puppies in the bed because they may have lice and that's not good.
Why may I not stay up and be with thee?
I really want to hang out with you and stay up, why can't I?
I don't like children who doesn't want to sleep
I don't like it when kids won't go to sleep when they're told to.
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@constancebl8981
This song is giving me hope, deep happiness and melancolia at the same time ❤ One of my favourite video from YouTube
@0mik3mik3
Absolutely beautiful, both the music and lyrics. The feelings that this song gives me are unique.
@mauriceschelling2873
Beautiful, Daniel Norgren and his band makes music. Don't hear it, feel it. The mountain sings like a clear river. Many thanks...
@samclarkefilms
One of those songs I just never want to end while listening!
@johanpeters8116
This song haunts me, in a good way. You can feel the imagination of a child implanted with folklore
@spogli
So damn good! ❤️ 🙌🏼 Can't get enough of this guy!
@muftispiel3968
This version is incredibly in my ears I love it so much!!! These dudes are hero’s 4 me
@Antipole
One of my all time faves
@caseynevell3629
Amazing song reminds me of going out to play love it xxx
@lewreed1871
Never heard this before. I’m not a crier but this just caught me and set me off. Thanks for the moment. I’m glad I was on my own.