Tether
Indigo Girls Lyrics
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To spill the blood, to pull the weed
You can bury the past, but it's a mausoleum
With the ghost of a fist that won't let us be
Can we bring it together
Can we call from the mountain to the valley below?
Can we make it better
I kicked up the dirt, and I said to my neighbor
We keep making it worse, we keep getting it wrong
He tucked in his shirt, he stood a little bit straighter
We need a few less words dear, we need a few more guns
Will it bring us together
Can we call from the mountain to the valley below?
Can we make it better
Do we tether the hawk, do we tether the dove?
Enduring love
Why so much and so strong, beyond this short existence?
Don't be still
You say there's a long line behind you
And it's hardly worth the mentioning
But I will
'Cause we may flicker and fade
But we never will be through with this
I see this world battered but not broken
There's a fallow heart, it's waiting on a sowing hand
You can grow what you want
One day it's gonna rise up
So plant what you need to make a better stand
And we'll bring it together
And we'll call from the mountain to the valley below
And we'll make it better
Let go of the hawk, we let go of the dove
Can bring it together
Call from the mountain to the valley below
I'm telling you now
And we'll make it better
Do we tether the hawk, do we tether the dove?
The lyrics to "Tether" by Indigo Girls describes the struggles of humanity to unify as a society. The first stanza speaks of the grave consequences of violence and war, as burying the past can only create a mausoleum of history and leave the ghost of fists that continue to haunt future generations. The chorus questions whether people can come together, whether they can connect through the divide that separates them, and whether they can make things better by bridging those divisions.
The second stanza continues the conversation between the two neighbors, one discussing the need for words, the other for guns. This conflict serves to highlight the divide between those who believe peaceful dialogue can achieve change and those who believe in resorting to violence. The third stanza emphasizes the importance of enduring love, the hope for a world beyond the short human existence, and the need to continuously strive for progress. The final stanza offers a beacon of hope, a promise that despite the pain and conflicts of the present, humanity will continue to rise and make progress.
Overall, "Tether" is a song that speaks to the division and challenge that is a part of the human experience, while also offering hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever it was, it wasn't manumission
Whatever happened wasn't freeing or emancipating.
To spill the blood, to pull the weed
To cause violence, to destroy.
You can bury the past, but it's a mausoleum
You can try to forget the past, but it still haunts you.
With the ghost of a fist that won't let us be
The memory of violence and conflict still affects us today.
Can we bring it together
Can we unite?
Can we call from the mountain to the valley below?
Can we communicate effectively across geographic and social divides?
Can we make it better
Can we improve things?
Do we tether the hawk, do we tether the dove?
Do we restrain our aggressive and peaceful impulses alike?
I kicked up the dirt, and I said to my neighbor
I spoke up to challenge my neighbor.
We keep making it worse, we keep getting it wrong
Things are not getting better, we are not making progress.
He tucked in his shirt, he stood a little bit straighter
My neighbor considered my words and tried to present himself more positively.
We need a few less words dear, we need a few more guns
We need to act rather than talk.
Will it bring us together
Will our actions unite us?
Enduring love
Love that lasts.
Why so much and so strong, beyond this short existence?
Why does love persist beyond our short lives?
Don't be still
Don't be complacent.
You say there's a long line behind you
You are not alone in your efforts.
And it's hardly worth the mentioning, But I will
Others may dismiss your work, but I will acknowledge it.
'Cause we may flicker and fade, But we never will be through with this
Our lives may end, but our work for love and unity will continue.
I see this world battered but not broken
The world is damaged but not beyond repair.
There's a fallow heart, it's waiting on a sowing hand
People's hearts are waiting for someone to inspire them and help them grow.
You can grow what you want
You can create the world you want.
One day it's gonna rise up
Change will come eventually.
So plant what you need to make a better stand
Take action to create a better future.
And we'll bring it together
We will unite.
Let go of the hawk, we let go of the dove
We must let go of violence and embrace peace.
I'm telling you now
Listen to me, this is important.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind