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.
The Jester The Tramp & The Acrobat
Kevin Morby Lyrics
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Just to be by your side, just to see it through
And you'd call my name, but what would you say
If you knew my play, then who are you
Ooh and you'd come down and anchored stay
And if they told you run
Then why you standing there
Just to be by your side, but you never came
And you'd call my name just to disappear
I've been proven down in a tear
And what if no one comes
No bells to ring, Lord
What if no one cares
No tales to sing now
All of my life waiting for you
Just to be by your side, should've been there too
And you'd call my name, but I never couldn't hear
If you knew my play, then you'd never do what you want
It was only a waltz
You'd never do what you'd say
Oh what you'd say
All of my life
All of my life
All of my life
All of my life
And what a dream in my head
Are all those things that you'd say to me
And what a dream will do until it's gone and never come back again
The lyrics to Kevin Morby's song "The Jester The Tramp & The Acrobat" reveal a story of unrequited love and longing for someone who never materializes. The singer laments devoting all of his life and energy waiting for this person, only to be left alone and abandoned. He imagines what this person might say to him if they were to acknowledge his existence, but realizes that their words would be meaningless since they never followed through with their promises.
The repeated line "all of my life" emphasizes the magnitude of the singer's obsession and the time he has spent pining for this person. He wonders what will happen if no one ever shows up or cares, highlighting the desperation he feels. Despite this despair, the dreamlike quality of the lyrics suggests that the love the singer feels is still alive in his head, even if it will never become reality.
Overall, the song portrays the pain and heartbreak that can come with unrequited love, as the singer's devotion is met with nothing but emptiness.
Line by Line Meaning
All of my life waiting for you
Spending a considerable amount of time expecting someone special to show up
Just to be by your side, just to see it through
Desiring to be with the person regardless of the sacrifices made
And you'd call my name, but what would you say
Being uncertain about the response when the person is called
If you knew my play, then who are you
Questioning the intentions and mindset of the person being waited for
Ooh and you'd come down and anchored stay
Feelings of security and support upon the arrival of the awaited person
And if they told you run
Pondering on what the awaited person's reaction would be if they were advised to leave
Then why you standing there
Wondering why the awaited person has chosen to stick around
All of my life spent on you
Investing a significant amount of time and effort on the awaited person
Just to be by your side, but you never came
Hoping for the person's arrival, but constantly left disappointed
And you'd call my name just to disappear
Experiencing frustration and confusion when the awaited person's presence is temporary
I've been proven down in a tear
Feeling the emotional impact of constantly being let down
And what if no one comes
Exploring the possibility of being left on one's own
No bells to ring, Lord
Feeling isolated and unheard
What if no one cares
Contemplating the thought of not being valued
No tales to sing now
Feeling that there are no stories worth telling
Should've been there too
Expressing the desire for the awaited person to be present with the artist
And you'd call my name, but I never couldn't hear
Feeling unheard and ignored despite attempts to listen out for the awaited person
If you knew my play, then you'd never do what you want
Expressing the hope that the awaited person would act in accordance with the singer's desires
It was only a waltz
Realizing that the awaited person may not have the same level of emotional investment
You'd never do what you'd say
Expressing doubts about whether the awaited person's words can be trusted
And what a dream in my head
Reflecting on the moments when dreams of the awaited person filled the artist's thoughts
Are all those things that you'd say to me
Recalling the conversations and promises made by the awaited person
And what a dream will do until it's gone and never come back again
Realizing that the end of the waiting period signals the end of expectations, hopes, and dreams
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.