After recording and self-releasing two EPs in 2002, Newsom was signed to the independent label Drag City. Her debut album, The Milk-Eyed Mender, was released in 2004 to critical acclaim and garnered Newsom an underground following. She would receive wider exposure with the release of Ys (2006), which charted at number 134 on the Billboard 200.
She released two further albums: Have One on Me (2010) and Divers (2015), the latter of which outsold all of her previous albums. Newsom has been noted by critics for her unique musical style, sometimes characterized as psychedelic folk, and for her prominent use of harp instrumentation. She has also appeared as an actress with roles in the television series Portlandia and in the 2014 film Inherent Vice.
You and Me Bess
Joanna Newsom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me, what was your name?
It makes no difference, I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
The lyrics to Joanna Newsom's song "You and Me Bess" tell a story of two characters - the singer and Bess - who make their way down to the beach, trying to avoid attracting the attention of seagulls as they eat their meals. The imagery of the waves and the gut of the sea creates a visceral feeling, coupled with the starkness of their situation. They are navigating hunger and the elements, trying to survive. Despite their apparent isolation, they seem to have a bond, with the singer referring to them as "thick as thieves." However, this bond is put to the test when the singer is taken away and accused of stealing a horse. Bess, who stayed behind for the winter, is unable to save the singer from their fate.
The lyrics are incredibly layered and poetic, making use of vivid imagery and metaphors. The allusion to "mother nature" doling out hurt is a striking personification of the world we live in, and it speaks to the harshness and cruelty of life. The connection between the singer and Bess is also significant, as it shows that even in dire circumstances, we can find companionship and support. However, the lyrics also highlight the theme of isolation and how it can lead to tragedy if we don't have people in our lives to help us.
In terms of the music, "You and Me Bess" has a haunting quality to it, with Newsom's unique voice and the interplay of the instruments. The song is from the album "The Milk-Eyed Mender," which was released in 2004. It's a standout track on the album, and it showcases Newsom's talent for storytelling and her ability to create a mood through music.
Line by Line Meaning
We picked our way
We carefully made our way
Down to the beach
To the ocean's shoreline
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Observing the waves as they move away from us
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
The waves' tails coiling like a drenched sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Seaweed strands hanging from the ocean's bottom
Hoarding our meals
Storing our food
Alfalfa and rolls
Grass and bread
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
Avoiding the seagulls' sharp gaze
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Hoping nature didn't hear us
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
Despite the fact that nature inflicts suffering like a sick bird vomiting
You stayed for the winter
You decided to remain during the winter season
No one told us about the laws of the land
Nobody acquainted us with the country's rules
I hold my own but you with your hunger
I can fend for myself, but you were famished
You and the other hand
You specifically
Make yourself known
Make yourself recognized or seen
And when we were found
The authorities discovered us
I know we both grieved
I believe we both lamented or felt sadness
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
My emotions made me feel as though icicles were dropping from the roof
You and me, Bess
You and I, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
We were close companions
So I swore nonetheless
Regardless, I promised
Up and down, it was only me
Consistently, I was the guilty one
So they took me away
They apprehended me
And after some time
After a while
Studying my case must have made up their minds
The court likely came to a conclusion after reviewing my case
By the time you realized I was dying
When you eventually noticed I was perishing
Must have been too late
It was probably already too late
I believe you were not lying a little
I trust that you were being completely honest
It is the day I
Today is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
I'm anxiously waiting with my ears pointed upward like a weapon
Like every day of course
Like every other day, naturally
Yanked by my wrists to the sugar front court yard
Dragging me by my wrists to the courtyard in front of the building
Now tell me what have I done?
Can you please explain what crime I've committed?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I step to the gallows
It appears I took a horse without permission, and I'm heading to be hanged
Who do you think that you are?
Who do you believe you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Raising your hooves in a manner similar to a crane standing in the coast's shallows
Gutters that line the boulevards
The channels on each side of the road
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
Covered with spectators who merely watch as I'm executed
It's all the same
It's all equal or uniform
Kindness comes over me, what was your name?
Generosity envelopes me - what was your name?
It makes no difference, I'm glad that you came
It doesn't matter - I'm pleased you're here
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
I'll always listen to your joyful whinnying
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joanna Newsom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwin David Hernández González
We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the
Sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I
Step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me
What was your name?
It makes no difference I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
d M
‘My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves’ is one of the most heart felt lyrics I have ever heard. Stunning lyricist.
Edwin David Hernández González
We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the
Sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I
Step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me
What was your name?
It makes no difference I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
Lauren Dale
I used to sing this song to my son when he was a baby, trying to calm him down to sleep. He's almost 5 now and I just sang it to him again, for the first time in years. He looked so peaceful listening. I just love this song so much.
Carter !
Man this music takes me to another place. I remember when I was 16 I was really stoned and walking in a field, away from lights, my smartphone hidden in my pocket, listening to this record and I felt like I was in another time period. Later I find out that this song is about a horse thief from the 1700s and I'm like, of course. Music pulled straight from the DNA master tape. What a talent Joanna Newsom is. Would love to speak with her one day.
Manu
Ive been listening to most of the songs from this album already, but this came as a pleasant surprise after I found the physical copy for me. I love it! It feels like a tale of historical adventure and all so personal at the same time. She draws from the complex emotions in historical events to paint a deeply personal picture
shrew972
One of the greatest songs of this century so far
Quanna Nobinare
This is such a beautiful song. 🙌🏾😭💗
Lauren Zaps
This song is so beautifully haunting and gives a full cry on a lonely day. lol BUT I LOVE IT
Lucas Hirata Mizuguchi
Still as impressive as when I first heard it. Wow.
DerekAndres
Thanks for the upload! One of my favorites from the masterpiece Have One On Me.