Evergreen
Fiery Furnaces Lyrics

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I was wielding my axe drunk whisky at the bar every night coming home
Out of the windshield of my car
I would look through the boughs and think I saw my lucky star.
I was spreading my sheets took dinner all alone every night of the week
Awaiting by the phone
And I'd dab off my tears with my favorite pine cone.

Needle prick my spruce root

Dear little hemlock shoot
Make me stay sharp and keen, evergreen.

I would tend to my bees sell honey on the road every fall
In the wet watching lorries take their load
And I'd get all my winnings ask for special sap in code
In August for three weeks I'm back in the village
Where I clip all sorts of brambles and thorns from up the hill I pip
In a little clay cup the stuff I cross myself and sip.

Needle prick my spruce root
Dear little hemlock shoot
Make me stay sharp and keen, evergreen.
I was casting my line angling way the day.

The stream was swift, it was clear, out the light was getting gray.
I bent down by the thistle and thought of what it was I'd say.
Needle prick my spruce root

Dear little hemlock shoot
Make me stay sharp and keen, evergreen.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the Fiery Furnaces' song "Evergreen" are full of nature imagery and metaphors. The first verse talks about someone who is lost and searching for their "lucky star." They drink whiskey and come home, looking through the car windshield at the trees outside, hoping to find some direction or purpose. The second verse is about someone who is alone and waiting for something to happen. They dab their tears with a pinecone, which is a symbol of resilience and renewal. The chorus talks about the power of nature to keep us sharp and focused, using the image of needle prick and the sap of evergreen trees.

The third verse is about someone who sells honey and tends to bees. They watch lorries take their load and ask for special sap in code, suggesting that they are involved in some sort of illicit activity. The last verse is about fishing in a stream and thinking about what to say. Again, the imagery is full of nature references, with thistles and the fading light of day. The song as a whole is a meditation on the power of nature to sustain us and guide us, even in our moments of doubt and confusion.

Line by Line Meaning

I was wielding my axe drunk whisky at the bar every night coming home
I used to drink whiskey at the bar every night and come home drunk with my axe in my hands.

Out of the windshield of my car I would look through the boughs and think I saw my lucky star.
While driving, I would look through the trees and think I saw a lucky star shining at me.

I was spreading my sheets took dinner all alone every night of the week
Every night, I'd eat dinner alone, and then lie down on my bedspread for the rest of the evening.

Awaiting by the phone And I'd dab off my tears with my favorite pine cone.
I'd wait by the phone for someone to call, and wipe off my tears with a pine cone that meant a lot to me.

Needle prick my spruce root Dear little hemlock shoot Make me stay sharp and keen, evergreen.
I seek a sharpening effect from the prick of a spruce needle, and I want the hemlock shoot to keep me sharp and refreshed like the evergreen plants.

I would tend to my bees sell honey on the road every fall In the wet watching lorries take their load And I'd get all my winnings ask for special sap in code
In the autumn, I would tend to my bees and sell honey on the road, and watch the lorries taking their loads in the rain. After winning some money, I'd ask for special sap using a secret code.

In August for three weeks I'm back in the village Where I clip all sorts of brambles and thorns from up the hill I pip In a little clay cup the stuff I cross myself and sip.
During August, I go to the village for three weeks, where I cut all sorts of brambles and thorns from the hill. I then collect some sap and make a drink from it that I cross myself and sip.

I was casting my line angling way the day. The stream was swift, it was clear, out the light was getting gray. I bent down by the thistle and thought of what it was I'd say.
I went fishing one day - casting my line and patiently waiting. The stream I was fishing at was swift and clear, but the light was getting dim. I then sat down next to the thistle and thought of what to say next.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE TANNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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