Tender Mirror
Jolie Holland Lyrics
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I got something I got a lot
What I lost on a broken sphere
I'll find in a tender mirror
In the love from the heart
What he′s got he's got it to spare
They can't hold a candle there
What she′s got she's got it in spades
Cast adrift on the rolling waves
Rocking out on the stormy sea
Her spirit comes to me
In the love from the heart
I′m not in love
With a stranger anymore
I slipped out of the spell you can go to hell
If that's what you′re headed for
Unintelligible cries
Of an animal in the night
Mean more to my ear than the noise I hear
You trying to get it right
That's fine you know
I′m so happy that you're gone
All the bells ring out we can sing and shout
And drink and carry on
In the love from the heart
In the love from the heart
In the love from the heart
In this song, Jolie Holland sings about the uniqueness and value of what she has, in comparison to what others possess. She suggests that she has something special that others lack, and that even when she loses something important (represented by the broken sphere), she has the ability to regain it through self-reflection and introspection (represented by the tender mirror). All of this is made possible by love from the heart, which may refer to the deep connection with one's authentic self and the love that stems from it.
The second verse talks about what other people have. She believes that they may have certain aspects or traits, but they are not complete because they lack something intangible - a spark. She describes a woman being cast adrift on the rolling waves, which may represent the challenges and struggles of life. Despite that, Holland sees the spirit of this woman coming to her, which may be interpreted as a connection with a shared experience or perhaps even death.
Holland concludes by confirming she is no longer in love with a stranger who had held her under a spell, and she is happy that person is gone. She values the raw and authentic emotions represented by the unintelligible cries of an animal in the night over empty words that try to sound right. She celebrates her newfound freedom and the ability to love from the heart, which seems to be the most significant and meaningful aspect of this song.
Line by Line Meaning
What I got they ain't got
I possess things that others do not
I got something I got a lot
I possess many things of value
What I lost on a broken sphere
The things I lost due to a shattered world
I'll find in a tender mirror
I will recover them by reflecting on a gentle image of myself
In the love from the heart
This solace will come from the affection and warmth of the heart
What he's got he's got it to spare
He has an abundance of what he possesses
They can't hold a candle there
Others can't compare to his wealth
They're lost without a spark
Without something to ignite them, others are directionless
What she's got she's got it in spades
She possesses a lot of what she has
Cast adrift on the rolling waves
She's emotionally adrift in the turbulent sea of life
Rocking out on the stormy sea
She's braving the tumultuousness of life
Her spirit comes to me
Through her tenacity, I'm inspired
I'm not in love
I don't have romantic feelings anymore
With a stranger anymore
I don't feel affection towards someone I don't know well.
I slipped out of the spell you can go to hell
I escaped from your spell and you can go to hell
If that's what you're headed for
I'm unconcerned with where your path leads
Unintelligible cries
Sounds that are indecipherable
Of an animal in the night
Noises that animals make during the night
Mean more to my ear than the noise I hear
Animal noises strike me more than other noises
You trying to get it right
You are attempting to correct it
That's fine you know
That's okay with me
I'm so happy that you're gone
I'm delighted that you're not present anymore
All the bells ring out we can sing and shout
We are free to celebrate loudly and joyously
And drink and carry on
We can indulge in our revelry and continue having fun
In the love from the heart
Our joy is fueled by the warmth and affection that arises from our hearts
In the love from the heart
We continue to revel in the tenderness and warmth of the heart
In the love from the heart
Love energizes and inspires us to move forward
Writer(s): Holland Jolie R
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.