Harlem River marked the solo debut. Known for his work as the singer/guitarist for the Brooklyn band The Babies and bassist for Woods, the Kansas City native and new Los Angeles resident, calls the record “an homage to New York City,” his adopted home for the past five years.
Campfire
Kevin Morby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I've done my time, now I've laid to rest
There's a campfire inside my soul
And it billows
And the sky was a thousand years old
Always kept time in my back pocket
No man, goddamn, came to take my soul
And where have all of my friends gone
And where did all of my friends go
And where have all of my friends gone
They billow
Thought that I saw Jessi, she was sitting in a crowd
Thought that I saw Jessi, then I got to feeling proud
To ever have known someone so pretty and so sweet
Who every time she sang a song it'd sweep me off me feet
But oh my my, oh I guess
That she did her time, now she's laid to rest
There's a campfire inside her soul
Still billows
Lay your head on my pillow
There's a fire inside you, and that's why you billow
Stay calm, stay calm, and give me your palm
A song, a song for you
I walked to town, devil one side of me
Held by an angel put poems inside of me
Down to my mouth said won't you recite to me, okay
Every first Wednesday there goes that sound again
Sun's going down and she's a sundowner
Stay calm, stay calm, and give me your palm
Give me your palm, and I'll sing you a song
Young kids smoke cigarettes out on the avenue
Sun's going down so you might as well have a few
Hey who are you? Did you hear the news?
Anthony's dead, and Poor Richard too.
They billow, they billow, and it makes me nervous
They whittled a fiddle from wood in our service
Now that it's dusk, kids scatter the avenue
Hey who are you? I'm a sundowner too
The lyrics of Kevin Morby’s song Campfire are full of nostalgic reminiscences of his past life experiences. The song is an introspective account of the phases of life, death, and the memories left behind. The opening verse about doing one’s time is a metaphorical representation of living life and now being at peace with oneself. The campfire burning inside the soul represents the inner passion that one carries throughout life. The mention of the sky being thousand years old signifies the vastness of the universe and the insignificant role that humans play in it. The line "No man, goddamn, came to take my soul, shut the door, then lock it" reveals the desire for self-preservation and the idea of being in control of one’s life.
The second verse talks about the inevitability of separation and loss. The reference to Jessi, who has passed away, evokes the emotions of loss and grief. The lines "lay your head on my pillow, there's a fire inside you, and that's why you billow" signify the memory that one carries of their loved ones even after they are gone. The last verse is a portrayal of a day's events that reflect on the fleeting nature of life. The mention of "kids" and "young kids" smoking cigarettes suggests a youthful abandon but also the vulnerability that comes with it. The line "whittled a fiddle from wood in our service" could be interpreted as a metaphor for making something meaningful out of the ordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my my, oh I guess
I have completed my life's journey and can now rest.
That I've done my time, now I've laid to rest
I have fulfilled my responsibilities and can finally pass on.
There's a campfire inside my soul
I carry a passion and flame that keeps me going.
And it billows
It grows and intensifies, driving me forward.
And the sky was a thousand years old
The vastness of the universe reminds me of the expanse of time.
Always kept time in my back pocket
I am always aware of how quickly time passes.
No man, goddamn, came to take my soul
I am at peace knowing that no one can take away the essence of who I am.
Shut the door, then lock it
I am content with closing out the noise of the world and finding peace within.
And where have all of my friends gone
I wonder where the people who were once important to me have disappeared to.
And where did all of my friends go
I yearn for the familiarity of old friends who have since moved on with their lives.
Thought that I saw Jessi, she was sitting in a crowd
Memories of old friends who have left a lasting impression resurface unexpectedly.
Thought that I saw Jessi, then I got to feeling proud
I am happy to have once known someone so beautiful and talented.
To ever have known someone so pretty and so sweet
I am grateful to have met someone so kindhearted and lovely.
Who every time she sang a song it'd sweep me off me feet
I am reminded of the joy and beauty music can bring to our lives.
That she did her time, now she's laid to rest
My friend Jessi has moved on from this life and has completed her journey.
There's a campfire inside her soul
My friend Jessi carried passion and fire that fueled her life.
Still billows
Her spirit continues to inspire and carry on, even after her passing.
Lay your head on my pillow
I offer comfort and solace to those who need it.
There's a fire inside you, and that's why you billow
I encourage others to embrace their inner passion and let it fuel their lives.
Stay calm, stay calm, and give me your palm
I offer a supportive presence to those in need.
A song, a song for you
I offer comfort and emotional connection through the power of music.
Young kids smoke cigarettes out on the avenue
I observe the reckless abandon and youthful spirit of those around me.
Sun's going down so you might as well have a few
I am reminded to enjoy life's moments while I can.
Anthony's dead, and Poor Richard too
I am reminded of the fleeting and unpredictable nature of life and death.
They billow, they billow, and it makes me nervous
The intensity and unpredictability of life can be unsettling.
They whittled a fiddle from wood in our service
The resourcefulness and creativity of humanity are impressive.
Now that it's dusk, kids scatter the avenue
As day turns to night, the youthful energy and exuberance wanes.
Hey who are you? I'm a sundowner too
I empathize with those who feel lost and uncertain in life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kevin Robert Morby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@karenschuyler1342
I am 76 years old, I listen to music all the time, except a work, but at home...Amazon Prime playlist and heard this gifted man for the first time.....was worth the wait....have come no where near close to hearing all his songs...yet so far this is my favorite...I mean how do you mesmerize like he does...wow
@ryanlane5073
Karen, check out his song 'piss river'it is astounding,
@karenschuyler1342
@@ryanlane5073 I did excellent thank you..
@zaynwilson7924
you all probably dont give a shit but does anybody know of a method to log back into an instagram account..?
I was dumb forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can give me
@coolminefactory123
god bless you ma'am. I wish you a peaceful and beutiful life. I hope to be as lively and explore music if I hopefully reach your age. I'm 19 but my grandpa and grandma are always stuck on songs of their time, they never want to explore todays music. Bless you ma'am have a good day!
@caseyzalomsky3890
Word!!!
@TheWatsonGreen
Love how he keeps bringing back the reference to 'billowing', how it means one thing from the campfire, and makes him nervous when its the kid's cigarettes. This is one of the few albums I've heard in a while where I don't skip any of the songs. Just beautiful poetry and simple but melodic song writing. Music has been needing something like this.
@user-ed5ke8mt7s
Seeing Kevin Morby live at Union Transfer in Philly yesterday was an absolute dream. I've never felt such a soul connection to an artist's music the way I do his. I only knew him from the Babies and only recently discovered his solo work 🤯. I went to see his concert immediately. Kevin Morby's voice and lyrics have been there for me in both the dark and the light times and I am so grateful for that experience to see him. His voice is unique, lyrics are beautiful. And when he plays live, it seems that his ego takes a back seat. It's all about the music and the (big magical!) vibe..... Don't mean to gush here but the love and appreciation are real!!! 😊💖✨. Happy to see other big fans as well :)
@tannenbuschfrank2662
absolutely, the live perfomance and that energy blew me away, can't wait to visit another show here in europe 🤟
@LifeInMontana
Kevin Morby rolls the rock. Dig your music brother. God bless all you Morby Fans.