My Boy Builds Coffins
Florence + the Machine Lyrics

My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
The singer's significant other creates coffins as a profession using tools such as hammers and nails.

He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
The singer's significant other doesn't build any other objects such as ships or use sails since his work is solely focused on creating coffins.

He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
The singer's significant other doesn't create furniture such as tables, dressers, or chairs and instead only focuses on constructing coffins.

He can't carve a whistle 'cause he just doesn't care
The artist's significant other doesn't care to create anything other than coffins, even small items like whistles.

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
The artist's significant other creates coffins for individuals of all social classes, ranging from wealthy to poor.

Kings and queens have all knocked on his door
Even royals have purchased coffins from the singer's significant other at some point in time.

Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
Individuals from all backgrounds, including those who may be looked down upon in society, seek the singer's significant other's services to construct their coffins.

They all come to him 'cause he's so eager to please
The artist's significant other is well-liked in his profession due to his eagerness to ensure that each coffin he constructs meets his customers' needs.

My boy builds coffins, he makes them all day
The artist's significant other spends his entire workday creating coffins for his customers.

But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
While constructing coffins takes up the majority of the artist's significant other's time, it is not solely for work purposes and there is certainly no joke involved.

He's made one for himself
The singer's significant other has also crafted a coffin for himself in the future.

One for me too
The artist has also been given a coffin by her significant other.

One of these days he'll make one for you
The singer's significant other will eventually make a coffin for the listener as well.

For you, for you, for you
The singer wants to emphasize that the listener will also receive a coffin crafted by her significant other.

My boy builds coffins for better or worse
The singer's significant other creates coffins regardless of the situation or circumstances surrounding his clients' deaths.

Some say it's a blessing, some say it's a curse
While some view the artist's significant other's profession as helpful and beneficial, others consider the idea of constructing coffins all day to be more ominous and a curse.

He fits them together in sunshine or rain
The artist's significant other is able to construct coffins in all weather conditions, from sunny to rainy days.

Each one is unique, no two are the same
Although the singer's significant other constructs coffins frequently, each one is crafted differently and never the same as another.

My boy builds coffins and I think it's a shame
While the singer is proud of her significant other's abilities, she also feels saddened that each coffin he constructs never gets to be seen again once buried.

That when each one's been made, he can't see it again
The artist's significant other constructs coffins never to see them again once they've been buried alongside their respective clients.

He crafts every one with love and with care
The artist's significant other takes pride in ensuring that each coffin he constructs is created with love and great attention to detail.

Then it's thrown in the ground, it just isn't fair
Despite the love and care crafted into each coffin, the fact that they are only utilized once in a person's life before being buried seems unfair to the artist.