Sir Greendown
Janelle Monae Lyrics
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Ooh
Sir Greendown
Come wake me in the night
The dragon wants a bite of our love (of our love)
The flower and the golden hand
Ooh, Sir Greendown
Sir Greendown
Let's leave in an hour
Meet me at the tower, ride your horse (ride your horse)
Here the dolphins walk like men
Here the cyborgs have a plan
Sir Greendown
I need your shining light, ooh
Let's leave in an hour
Meet me at the tower
I'm in love
(Ahh, ahh)
The song "Sir Greendown" by Janelle Monáe tells a whimsical story of an adventurous couple, as they navigate through a magical world filled with unique creatures and elements. The song opens with the singer asking Sir Greendown to wake her up in the middle of the night, as the dragon lurking in the darkness wants to take a bite out of their love. This is a metaphorical representation of the obstacles and challenges that the couple must face together to keep their love alive.
As the song progresses, it weaves together various fantastical elements, such as flowers, wooden wings, clouds of sand, dolphins walking like men, and cyborgs with a plan. These are all symbolic representations of the outside forces that could either hinder or support their relationship. However, the singer believes that as long as she has Sir Greendown's shining light (referring to his positive influence and guidance), they can overcome anything and continue to grow their love.
Overall, "Sir Greendown" is a beautiful and imaginative ode to the power of love and the adventure of discovering it. The fantastical elements woven throughout the song make it feel like a fairytale or a dream, leaving listeners feeling uplifted and hopeful about the possibilities of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sir Greendown
Referring to her love interest as a knight with a heroic name.
Come wake me in the night
Asking her love interest to come and whisk her away on a magical adventure.
The dragon wants a bite of our love (of our love)
Acknowledging that their love will face challenges and obstacles, much like a dragon attempting to take a bite out of it.
The flower and the golden hand
Describing a mystical and mythical world in which flowers and golden hands exist.
Wooden wings and clouds of sand
Further detailling the fantastical world they inhabit, where even wooden wings and sand clouds can exist.
Let's leave in an hour
Urging her love interest to act quickly and leave with her on their journey.
Meet me at the tower, ride your horse (ride your horse)
Giving her love interest instructions on where to meet, and emphasizing the necessity of a horse as their mode of transportation.
Here the dolphins walk like men
Continuing to describe their magical world with the imagery of dolphins walking like men, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Here the cyborgs have a plan
Further emphasizing the imaginative setting by introducing cyborgs with a plan of their own.
I need your shining light, ooh
Expressing her desire for her love interest's guidance and hope on their journey.
I'm in love
Reiterating her strong feelings towards her love interest and the motivation behind their journey.
Ooh-ooh
Just a vocalization to add more emotional weight and emphasis.
Ooh
Same as the previous line.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles L Joseph, Janelle Monae Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind