White Ash & Black Ash
Fred Eaglesmith Lyrics


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For eight days in a row now I stood by my window
They're coming
I know that they're coming for me
I loved a woman but she wasn't human
There's no use in trying to make 'em see

White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back
I been a bad man
Them are the facts
Got an old leather bible
And a buffalo rifle
There won't be a trial
And I know that

Down by the water I caught me an otter
And after I shot it I boiled it down
Hiding for rope
Tarrow for soap
Put the rest in a pot in stir it around

White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back
I been a bad man
Them are the facts
Got an old leather bible
And a buffalo rifle
There won't be a trial
And I know that

White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back




I been a bad man
And I know that

Overall Meaning

In "White Ash & Black Ash," Fred Eaglesmith tells a twisted tale of a man who is anticipating his own demise. He has been standing at his window for eight days straight, waiting for someone to come and get him. The reason for his impending doom is that he was in love with a non-human woman, and people are coming to get him for that. However, he knows it's no use trying to make them see that he had no control over whom he fell in love with. The chorus of the song, "White ash and black ash, sharp edges strong back, I've been a bad man, and I know that," seems to suggest that this man is accepting of his fate and the punishment that awaits him.


The verses of the song describe the man's preparations for his own death. He has a leather bible and a buffalo rifle, and he's caught an otter to boil down for tarrow and soap. He seems resigned to his fate and has accepted that there won't be a trial – he knows what's coming for him. The song's title, "White Ash & Black Ash," seems to refer to the ashes of the fire that the man has been building, possibly for warmth or for his preparations.


Overall, "White Ash & Black Ash" is a dark and eerie song that tells a story of a man who is facing punishment for a love that society deems forbidden. The man seems to have accepted his fate and has made preparations for his own demise.


Line by Line Meaning

For eight days in a row now I stood by my window
I have been waiting and watching for them to come for eight consecutive days


They're coming
I am aware that they are coming for me


I know that they're coming for me
I have reason to believe that they are coming to apprehend me


I loved a woman but she wasn't human
I was in love with a supernatural being, not a human


There's no use in trying to make 'em see
It is futile to attempt to persuade them to understand my situation


White ash and black ash
Ashes from burning buffalo bones (white) and coal (black)


Sharp edges strong back
I am tough and able to withstand pressure


I been a bad man
I have not been a good person


Them are the facts
These are the indisputable truths


Got an old leather bible
I possess an aged book of religious texts


And a buffalo rifle
I own a firearm designed for hunting buffalo


There won't be a trial
I am convinced that I will not receive a fair trial


And I know that
I am confident in my belief that there will be no trial


Down by the water I caught me an otter
I captured an otter near a body of water


And after I shot it I boiled it down
Once I had killed the otter, I boiled it to utilize its fat


Hiding for rope
I am gathering materials to construct a hiding place


Tarrow for soap
I am making soap out of the otter fat


Put the rest in a pot in stir it around
I am cooking the remaining otter meat


And I know that
I am certain of my situation and my actions


White ash and black ash
Ashes from burning buffalo bones (white) and coal (black)


Sharp edges strong back
I am tough and able to withstand pressure


I been a bad man
I have not been a good person


And I know that
I have full knowledge of my actions and their impact




Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Tim Duffin


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