McMorrow's second album, Post-Tropical, was released in January 2014. It was noted for its distinct shift in style from the nu-folk of his first album, leaning more towards electronica and ambient sounds. Two singles were released from the album - "Cavalier" and "Red Dust." The album reached the top 30 in the UK and the Netherlands; as well as peaking at number 2 on the Irish album charts.
Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree
James Vincent McMorrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
To carry me, carry me down
See I have not I have not grown cold
I have stole from men who have stole from those
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
To pay for the gossamer seeds
Names get carved in the red oak tree
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
So follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
James Vincent McMorrow's "Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree" is a song that speaks to the strong bond between lovers, highlighted by the setting of a red oak tree. The opening lines of the song, "Follow you down to the red oak tree, As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds," portrays a sense of familiarity and connection between the singer and the person he is addressing as they journey to the tree. The red oak tree is a symbol of strength, endurance and stability, which suggest that the love shared between the two is strong and stable.
The second verse of the song, "See I have not I have not grown cold, I have stole from men who have stole from those, With their arms so thin and their skin so old, But you are young, you are young, you are young," describes the singer as someone who has experienced the harsh realities of life and yet, he finds comfort in the innocence and naivety of the person he is addressing. The lyrics suggest that the singer has done things that are not so admirable, but he finds a sense of purity and grace in the company of the person he is singing to.
The song concludes with a reference to the names that have been carved in the red oak tree. This suggests that the tree has been a site of significant moments for people who have come to it over time and serves as a testament to the enduring nature of their love. The lyrics "I will wait for you there with these cindered bones, so follow me follow me down" highlights the fact that no matter the challenges and trials that come with life, the singer is willing to wait for the person he loves, and they will confront them together.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow you down to the red oak tree
I will come with you and stand under the red oak tree.
As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
We will sense the thickness of the air moving through the hollow reeds.
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
Can you please wait for me there till a person comes to take me.
To carry me, carry me down
To take me to some other place.
See I have not I have not grown cold
I have not lost my warmth and passion for life.
I have stole from men who have stole from those
I have taken from people who have themselves stolen from others.
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
These people are weak and old.
But you are young, you are young, you are young
You are young and full of life and passion.
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
Someone laughs as if everything we do is not important.
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
As if we cannot be saved from going too deep into our thoughts and emotions.
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
The fabric I create is useful and has commercial value.
To pay for the gossamer seeds
It can be sold to earn money to purchase delicate and high-value items.
Names get carved in the red oak tree
People's names are inscribed in the tree's trunk.
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
The names of those who leave, and those who stay are engraved.
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
I will wait for you with my skeletal remains.
So follow me follow me down
Therefore, please follow me to wherever I take you.
Follow me follow me down
Come with me, wherever I go.
Follow me follow me down
Please come with me and follow my lead.
Follow me follow me down
Please don't hesitate, follow me wherever I go.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MCMORROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saocha4501
follow you down to the red oak tree
as the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
i will wait for you there until someone comes
to carry me, carry me down
see i have not i have not grown cold
i have stole from men who have stole from those
with their arms so thin and their skin so old
but you are young, you are young, you are young
then somebody laughs like its all just for hell
as though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
but the cloth that i make is a cloth you can sell
to pay for the gossamer seed
names get carved in the red oak tree
of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
i will wait for you there with these cindered bones
so follow me follow me down
follow me follow me down
follow me follow me down
@jeongheelee5158
is there someone who can explain about the meaning of this song? the Lyric has so many metaphor, i know that mataphor could be some different meaning, of course. but what do you guys think about it?
"Follow you down to the red oak tree
As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
To carry me, carry me down
See I have not, I have not grown cold
I have stole from men who have stole from those
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
But you are young, you are young, you are young
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
To pay for the gossamer seeds
Names get carved in the red oak tree
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
So follow me, follow me down
Follow me, follow me down"
@claunorthman
''So I raise a morphine toast to you. And, should you remember that it's the anniversary of my birth, remember that you were loved by me and you made my life a happy one. And there's no tragedy in that''
@DoubleBread
I enjoyed this movie a lot. Such strong, beautiful and sad one.
@morgank171
DONT MAKE ME CRY
@becky7941
such a beautiful film. So inspiring...
@LD-ju7ge
Which movie?
@becky7941
@Linda Davis third star
@pattyg.418
Great honor to have met you per chance leaving the concert. Humble with a beautiful spirit. Glad we had the chance to tell you how much we appreciate you. One of the most beautiful and touching voices I've ever heard.
@sophielouise1046
If you haven't seen Third Star, you seriously should. It may leave you an emotional, sobbing wreck but it is an amazing film. It sounds weird but it really makes you think about things....
@rachelmaechel
I just finished watching the movie I still have tears in my eyes. Then I heard this song at the end and read the credits to find what song this was... it's beautiful. So was the movie.
@giuliapallanti2255
Sobbing wreck here as well. The movie was something. Still got the shivers, beautiful song.