Canon
Hannah Marcus Lyrics
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there are rhizomes.
If not rhizomes,
there are tubers.
If not tubers,
there are succulents.
If not succulents,
wildflowers.
There are perching birds.
There are warblers.
There are raptors.
There are ducks.
There are arctic species.
And these whirl above oil derricks
on their migratory journeys like tornados.
The lyrics of Hannah Marcus’s song “Canon” have been described by many as an extended metaphor of the interconnection between nature and life. The lyrics seem to suggest that if one way of survival is not possible, there will always be other ways to survive or thrive. The first two lines of the song point to the existence of different ways plants reproduce or propagate themselves. The fig tree signifies a particular way of plant reproduction, and the use of the phrase “if not,” suggests that there exist other ways, such as rhizomes, tubers, or succulents, through which plants are sustained.
The next two lines move away from plant reproduction and introduce the idea that there are different species in nature, specifically birds, that are sustained differently. The different bird species described in the song, such as perching birds, warblers, raptors, ducks, and arctic species, depend on different types of habitats and food sources. The final two lines of the song bring everything together, as the birds are seen to fly above oil derricks on their migratory journeys like tornados, pointing to the constant interaction and impact of human activities on the natural world.
Overall, the song's lyrics suggest that despite the destructive human activities on the environment, nature finds ways to sustain itself, and there is always hope for the survival of life in different forms.
Line by Line Meaning
If not a fig tree,
there are rhizomes.
If one option is not available, there are other alternatives to explore.
If not rhizomes,
there are tubers.
If the first alternative is not available, there are additional options to consider.
If not tubers,
there are succulents.
If the second alternative is not feasible, there are additional possible choices.
If not succulents,
wildflowers.
If other options are not applicable, there are still more options available to choose from.
And above these there are birds.
Above all these options, there are birds.
There are perching birds.
Among the birds, some are perching birds.
There are warblers.
Some of the birds are warblers.
There are raptors.
There are also raptors among the birds.
There are ducks.
Additionally, there are ducks among the birds.
There are arctic species.
Some of these birds are species that inhabit arctic regions.
And these whirl above oil derricks
on their migratory journeys like tornados.
During their migration, these birds spin around the oil derricks like whirlwinds, much like how tornados move and behave.
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.