James occasionally plays solo shows (often with Carl Broemel on Guitar & Pedal Steel), showcasing "bare-bones" versions of My Morning Jacket songs along with various covers. Notably, James (with Broemel) supported John Prine for several shows in late summer 2006.
wild honey
Jim James Lyrics
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Slender on the vine
Green wind will lift you
Under sky blue tongues
Someday your chariot of air
Will vanish from this world of wine and bone
As wild honey
Free of form and desires
There before the naked eye
To know nobody
To know nobody
No body, no, no body
No body
Each empire who inherits the sea
Rises and retreats into foam
In the ash there stirs a seed
Empty between what's unseen and unknown
To penetrate pure light, penetrate pure love
You gotta suffer some
And then what remains of you is pure and genuine
As wild honey
Free of form and desire
There before the naked eye to know nobody
To owe nobody
No body, no, no body
No body, no, no body
Oh, nobody
In "Wild Honey" by Jim James, the lyrics convey a sense of transcendence and liberation. The opening lines "Pick your shadow up, Slender on the vine, Green wind will lift you" suggest a departure from the confines of the physical world. It represents a call to break free from the limitations of our earthly existence and venture into a realm of spiritual and emotional freedom.
The reference to the "chariot of air" vanishing from the "world of wine and bone" refers to the transient nature of life and the impermanence of material pursuits. It highlights the fleeting nature of our physical existence and emphasizes the importance of seeking something deeper and more profound.
The chorus serves as a reminder that what truly remains of us when we shed our physical form is our essence, depicted here as "pure and genuine, as wild honey." It represents a state of being unencumbered by worldly desires and attachments. To "know nobody" and "owe nobody" suggests a liberation from societal expectations and the freedom to be authentic without any external influences shaping one's identity.
The second verse introduces the idea of different empires rising and retreating, symbolizing the cyclical nature of power and domination. The line "in the ash there stirs a seed" alludes to the potential for rebirth and renewal in the aftermath of destruction. It implies that amid chaos and uncertainty, there lies an opportunity for growth and transformation.
To "penetrate pure light, penetrate pure love, you gotta suffer some" embodies the idea that in order to access higher levels of understanding and enlightenment, one must first endure hardships and challenges. It suggests that the path to true freedom and self-discovery is not always easy, but the rewards are worth the struggles.
Overall, "Wild Honey" conveys a message of liberation, urging listeners to let go of societal expectations, embrace their true selves, and seek a deeper spiritual connection. It prompts us to ponder the impermanence of our physical existence and encourages us to strive for a more genuine and authentic life, free from the constraints of desires and attachments.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick your shadow up
Take control of your dark side and confront it
Slender on the vine
Delicate and vulnerable, hanging on to life
Green wind will lift you
A refreshing force will elevate you
Under sky blue tongues
In the realm of limitless possibilities
Someday your chariot of air
Your dreams and aspirations
Will vanish from this world of wine and bone
Disappear from the material world
And then what remains of you is pure and genuine
Your true essence is revealed
As wild honey
Untamed, natural and authentic
Free of form and desires
Released from earthly attachments
There before the naked eye
Visible and undeniable
To know nobody
Not bound to anyone
To know nobody
To be independent and self-aware
No body, no, no body
Without a physical presence
No body
Detached from the material world
Each empire who inherits the sea
Every dominant power
Rises and retreats into foam
Gains prominence and later fades away
In the ash there stirs a seed
From destruction, new beginnings emerge
Empty between what's unseen and unknown
The space where mystery and possibilities lie
To penetrate pure light, penetrate pure love
To reach enlightenment and unconditional love
You gotta suffer some
Endure hardships and challenges
And then what remains of you is pure and genuine
Your true self is untainted and sincere
As wild honey
Like untamed sweetness
Free of form and desire
Liberated from attachments and cravings
There before the naked eye to know nobody
Visible to all, yet not dependent on anyone
To owe nobody
Not indebted to anyone
No body, no, no body
Without physical presence
No body, no, no body
Detached from material existence
Oh, nobody
No one
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Diane Izzo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind