My Builds Coffins
Florence the Machine Lyrics


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My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
He can't carve a whistle cause he just doesn't care

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
Kings and queens have all knocked on his door
Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
They all come to him 'cause he's so eager to please

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you
For you
For you

My boy builds coffins for better or worse
Some say its a blessing, some say its a curse
He fits them together in sunshine or rain
Each one is unique, no two are the same

My boy builds coffins and I think it's a shame
That when each ones been made, he can't see it again
He crafts everyone with love and with care
Then its thrown in the ground and it just isn't fair

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
And one of these days he'll make one for you
For you
For you
For you
Oh,




Oh, oh, oh
Oh

Overall Meaning

The song "My Boy Builds Coffins" by Florence + The Machine is a haunting and melancholic ballad that tells the story of a man who builds coffins for a living. The song is a commentary on the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the ways in which we try to cope with these existential realities.


The lyrics describe the man's trade, noting that he does not build ships or make furniture, but instead creates coffins "for the rich and the poor." Kings, queens, beggars, and thieves all seek out his services, and he works tirelessly to create a unique and carefully crafted coffin for each person. Despite the love and care he puts into each coffin, the man is unable to see them after they are buried, a fact which the singer finds deeply unfair.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of sadness and longing, as if the singer is mourning the loss of loved ones and grappling with the inevitability of her own mortality. The repetition of the phrase "for you," at the end of each verse, only heightens this sense of loss and longing, as if the singer is addressing those who have already passed away.


Overall, "My Boy Builds Coffins" is a reflective and powerful meditation on the themes of life, death, and the human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
Rather than using the common tools, my boy uses hammers and nails to construct coffins.


He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
My boy is not interested in constructing ships as he finds no use for sails.


He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
My boy is not interested in creating furniture such as tables, dressers or chairs.


He can't carve a whistle cause he just doesn't care
Even though my boy has the ability to carve a whistle, he is not interested in it and therefore doesn't do it.


My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
My boy creates coffins for all types of people, whether they are wealthy or not.


Kings and queens have all knocked on his door
Even royalty has requested my boy's services for creating their coffins.


Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
People from all walks of life, including beggars, liars, gypsies and even thieves come to my boy for his coffin-building services.


They all come to him 'cause he's so eager to please
My boy pleases his customers with his eager and dedicated service in creating their coffins.


He's made one for himself
My boy has built a coffin for himself in anticipation of his own death.


One for me too
My boy has built a coffin for the person who is singing the song.


One of these days he'll make one for you
In the future, my boy will also make a coffin for the listener of the song.


For better or worse
My boy creates coffins regardless of the situation, whether it is a happy or sad occasion.


Some say its a blessing, some say its a curse
People have mixed opinions about the job that my boy does, with some seeing it as a blessing while others consider it a curse.


He fits them together in sunshine or rain
My boy is dedicated to his work and will construct coffins even in adverse weather conditions.


Each one is unique, no two are the same
Every coffin that my boy creates is one-of-a-kind and different from every other coffin he has ever made.


That when each one's been made, he can't see it again
Once the coffin is completed and handed over to the customer, my boy can't see it again.


He crafts everyone with love and with care
My boy puts a lot of love and care into his work and each coffin he makes is crafted with the utmost attention to detail.


Then its thrown in the ground and it just isn't fair
After being treated with utmost care and love, it is unfortunate that the coffin will be buried in the ground, never to be seen again.




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER LLOYD HAYDEN, FLORENCE LEONTINE MARY WELCH, MATTHEW DAVID ALLCHIN, ROBERT DAMIAN ACKROYD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Nada Haydar

Verse 1]
My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
He can't carve a whistle because he just doesn't care

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
Kings and queens, they've all knocked on his door
Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
They all come to him because he's so eager to please

[Chorus]
My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you, for you, for you

[Verse 2]
My boy builds coffins for better or worse
Some say its a blessing, some say its a curse
He fits them together in sunshine or rain
Each one is unique, no two are the same

My boy builds coffins and I think it's a shame
That when each one's been made, he can't see it again
He crafts everyone with love and with care
Then it's thrown in the ground, it just isn't fair

[Chorus]
My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you, for you, for you



Brianna Bush

My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
He can't carve a whistle 'cause he just doesn't care

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
Kings and queens, they've all knocked on his door
Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
They all come to him 'cause he's so eager to please

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you, for you, for you

My boy builds coffins for better or worse
Some say it's a blessing, some say it's a curse
He fits them together in sunshine or rain
Each one is unique, no two are the same

My boy builds coffins and I think it's a shame
That when each one's been made, he can't see it again
He crafts every one with love and with care
Then it's thrown in the ground, it just isn't fair

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you



All comments from YouTube:

Nada Haydar

Verse 1]
My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
He doesn't build ships, he has no use for sails
He doesn't make tables, dressers or chairs
He can't carve a whistle because he just doesn't care

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
Kings and queens, they've all knocked on his door
Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
They all come to him because he's so eager to please

[Chorus]
My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you, for you, for you

[Verse 2]
My boy builds coffins for better or worse
Some say its a blessing, some say its a curse
He fits them together in sunshine or rain
Each one is unique, no two are the same

My boy builds coffins and I think it's a shame
That when each one's been made, he can't see it again
He crafts everyone with love and with care
Then it's thrown in the ground, it just isn't fair

[Chorus]
My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it's not just for work and it isn't for play
He's made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he'll make one for you
For you, for you, for you

Mable Jansen

^^ obrigado hihihi

Ginny D

This song reminds of how everyone suffers and grieves when their loved ones die, no matter how horrible, rich, or poor you are. It also reminds me of how people focus on arbitrary things instead of enjoying being with loved ones until it's too late.

CJ Disciple

I agree

1 More Replies...

Gyury Lee

I love this song; it has been my favorite for a year and probably in the future, too. It's really calming

BLOOP

is it still?

Isuri x

Is it still?

Cody Banks

Is it still?

scrambled eggs

is it still?

Waltuh White

Is it still?

1 More Replies...
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