Cosmia
Joanna Newsom Lyrics

When you ate I saw your eyelashes
I noticed your eyelashes fluttering when you ate

Saw them shake like wind on rushes
The fluttering of your eyelashes resembled the shaking of wind on rushes

In the corn field when she called me
I was in a corn field when she called me

Moths surround me, thought they'd drown me
I was surrounded by moths and feared they would overpower me

And I miss your precious heart
I long for your precious heart

Dried rose petal, red brown circles
Your eyes were framed with dried rose petals that created red-brown circles

Framed your eyes and stained your knuckles
The dried rose petals framed your eyes and stained your knuckles

And all those lonely nights down by the river
I spent many lonely nights by the river

Brought me bread and water, water in
I was provided with bread and water for sustenance

But though I tried so hard my little darling
Despite my intense efforts, my little darling

I couldn't keep the night from coming in
I couldn't keep the darkness from enveloping me

I was brought my bread and water by the kith and the kin
My family and friends brought me my bread and water by the river

Now in the quiet hour when I am sleepin'
During the peaceful hours of my sleep

I cannot keep the night from comin' in
I cannot prevent the darkness from entering

Why've you gone away
Why did you leave me

Gone away again
Leaving me once more

I'll sleep through the rest of my days
If you're gone, I'll sleep for the remainder of my life

Seven suns, seven suns
A poetic phrase with an uncertain meaning

Can you hear me, will you listen
Are you listening to me?

Don't come near me, don't go missing
Don't come too close, don't disappear

In the lissome light of evening
In the gentle light of evening

Help me, Cosmia, I'm grieving
I'm mourning and need your help, Cosmia

Beneath the porch light we've all been circling
We've been revolving under the porch light as a gathering

Beat our dust hearts, singe our flour wings
Metaphorically, our hearts are tired and dusty, and our dreams are evaporated flour wings that burn under the sun

But in the corner, something is happening
An action is taking place in the corner that requires attention

Wild Cosmia, what have you seen
Crazy or untamed Cosmia, what have you experienced

Water were your limbs, and the fire was her hair
Perhaps a reference to the river and fire, or to Cosmia's (or someone else's) characteristic traits

And then the moonlight caught your eye
The moonlight attracted your attention

And you rose through the air
You ascended through the air

Well, if you've seen true light, then this is my prayer
My wish or hope is that you've obtained enlightenment or truth

Will you call me when you get there
Will you notify me once you've arrived?

And miss, and miss, and miss
Expressing a strong feeling of loss

But release your precious heart
Let go of your treasurable heart for its own happiness

To its feast, for precious hearts
Allow it to have a fulfilling existence