Poor Girl's Blues
Jolie Holland Lyrics
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That doesn't bother me at all
Maybe, I'm a poor girl
But it doesn't bother me at all
When this world comes crashing down
I know that I'll be standing tall
Now I'm just like everybody else
I used to be an angel
Now I'm just like everybody else
I left my wings in the gutter
And my halo is lost, dusty on a shelf
I know a rambling girl
She's driving me crazy and wild
I know a rambling girl
She's driving me crazy and wild
Wild, wild, wild
I'd have Austin as my footstool and the world as my throne
If only she were by my side again
I got a couple of food stamps
On a caffeine buzz
I got a couple of food stamps
On a caffeine buzz
So I'd be set for right now, darling
If I only knew girl, just where she was
I'd tell her to hold tight honey
Don't you lose your spirit to the wind
I'd tell her to hold tight honey
Don't you lose your spirit to the wind
'Cause I know you and I know you'll be a long time rambling
Before you see your rest again
Oh maybe, I'm a poor girl
I don't worry about it none
Oh maybe, I'm a poor girl
But I don't worry about it none
When this world comes crashing down
I know that I'll be standing in the sun, I'll be standing in the sun, oh
In Jolie Holland's song "Poor Girl's Blues," the singer addresses her own status as a poor girl, but notes that this designation doesn't bother her at all. She affirms that, even when the world around her comes crashing down, she knows she will still be standing tall. The singer's feeling of resilience in the face of poverty is juxtaposed against the imagery of her former angelic status, as she laments that she has lost her wings and her halo is now lost and dusty on a shelf.
The song takes a turn when the singer mentions a "rambling girl" who is driving her crazy and wild. The singer would clearly like this woman by her side again, as she fantasizes about having Austin as her footstool and the world as her throne if only the "rambling girl" were there with her. The song concludes with the singer again affirming her lack of worry about her status as a poor girl, and asserting that she will be standing in the sun when the world comes crashing down. In this way, the song's lyrics serve to celebrate the resilience and strength of women who are struggling financially.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh maybe, I'm a poor girl
I may not be wealthy, but it doesn't bother me
That doesn't bother me at all
Not having money doesn't affect my contentment
Maybe, I'm a poor girl
I may be poor, but I don't let it define me
But it doesn't bother me at all
My lack of money doesn't change my outlook on life
When this world comes crashing down
If the world falls apart, I will remain resilient
I know that I'll be standing tall
I have the strength and courage to survive tough times
I used to be an angel
I was once pure and innocent
Now I'm just like everybody else
I am flawed and human
I left my wings in the gutter
I lost my innocence and purity
And my halo is lost, dusty on a shelf
I have lost my sense of righteousness and goodness
I know a rambling girl
I am familiar with a wandering woman
She's driving me crazy and wild
She inspires me, but also makes me feel unsettled
I'd have Austin as my footstool and the world as my throne
I would have everything I want if she were with me
If only she were by my side again
I regret losing her and wish we were together
I got a couple of food stamps
I have some assistance for basic needs
On a caffeine buzz
I am energetic and jittery from coffee
So I'd be set for right now, darling
I am okay for the present time, my love
If I only knew girl, just where she was
If only I could find her and be with her
I'd tell her to hold tight honey
I would advise her to stay strong
Don't you lose your spirit to the wind
Don't give up or lose hope
'Cause I know you and I know you'll be a long time rambling
I understand her wandering nature and that she may travel for a long time
Before you see your rest again
Before she finds peace and settles down again
Oh maybe, I'm a poor girl
I may not have much, but I don't mind
I don't worry about it none
It doesn't cause me concern or anxiety
But I don't worry about it none
I don't let my financial situation affect me
When this world comes crashing down
Even if there is chaos and destruction
I know that I'll be standing in the sun, I'll be standing in the sun, oh
I am confident that I will persevere and emerge victorious
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah K
Such an underrated song! This song influenced most most of my 20’s!!
kim
ur not alone in this, not by a longshot
Steven Coatsworth
Yum.