Dawson became well known as a member of The Moldy Peaches. Since the Moldy Peaches took a break from performing and recording in 2004, Dawson has released a string of lo-fi homemade albums, and toured widely in North America and Europe.
In 2005 the Pharmacy and Matty Pop Chart performed as her backing band on a U.S. tour. In 2006 she collaborated with a number of friends to make a group, Antsy Pants, that recorded and released an album on Plan It X Records.
Dawson's songs are featured in the films The Guatemalan Handshake and Glue, both of which were shown at the Olympia Film Festival in November 2007. There is also some of her music in the cult movie Juno, which is the fastest selling film soundtrack since Saturday Night Fever.
Kimya's "kid's album" Alphabutt was released in 2007, and recording for her new album "Thunder Thighs" is wrapping up as of Fall 2010. The mean time she has spent writing and touring, as well as spending time with her family and singing with the Olympia Free Choir.
Wandering Daughter
Kimya Dawson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wrestle the pestle for the sake of the mortar
I love as I breathe and leave as I live
My cast iron shield's a titanium sieve
And a castle that's built on confusion and doubt
Is a nickel within and a dollar without
Just when the shoes seem so big I can't win
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
Take all my pain and I mix it with water
It's sunny it's sweet and I don't purple stuff it
One day by the way I met little miss muffet
I blew my mind with the stuff that I taught her
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
I said if a spider should sit down beside you
Tell him your name and then tell him the truth
A great hairy spider appeared there and then
And the holes in my soul started letting in wind
I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
She said I'm miss muffet I'm very afraid
But something inside me is making me stay
I know deep down that if I run away
I'll just meet more spiders and still feel the same
The spider he smiled and said how is this true
When I am so terribly smaller than you?
My web it just went in the way the wind blew
What I was in for I hadn't a clue
He touched her face gently with six of his legs
And licked from her chin a speck of curds and whey
When I was certain they'd both be okay
I tightened my laces and I walked away
As I walked away I was feeling excluded
Wishing my impulses weren't diluted
The muscle I hustle is real for my friends
But the muscle I keep for myself is pretend
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
Travel the land and I live like a martyr
The things that I do aren't the things that I teach
If I spend my time practicing when will I preach?
I do what I must as you do what you oughta
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
Take all my pain and mix it with water
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
I'm lost and alone and I'm fair and I'm free
You am what you is and I are who I be
What I'm lacking in strength I make up for in smarts
You keep your stability I'll keep my heart
Fear finds October emotions are juices
Beat around bushes and make up excuses
Go out for ceruleans come home with chartreuses
Snip and cut bonsais and turn them to spruces
Miss muffet called me and she said don't cry
Real friends are friends until after they die
Still I romanticize all this disorder
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
Hop the next bus and run for the border
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
Give you my life if you give me a quarter
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
So long it's been good to know ya
So long it's been good to know ya
So long it's been good to know ya
I've got to be moving along
The lyrics of Kimya Dawson's "Wandering Daughter" describe the journey of a woman who identifies as the wandering daughter of a wandering father. She finds strength in her ability to love and leave, and sees her cast iron shield as a titanium sieve, implying that she is both strong and vulnerable. The confusion and doubt that she feels inside are reflected in the castle that she imagines, which is built on a weak foundation. Despite this, she is determined to keep moving forward in her own sneakers rather than trying to fill someone else's shoes.
The woman's encounter with Miss Muffet and the spider is a metaphor for dealing with fears that threaten to paralyze us. By telling the spider her name and the truth, Miss Muffet overcomes her fear, and the spider reassures her that he is much smaller than her, and his web just happened to be in her way. This encounter inspires the wandering daughter to tighten her laces and keep moving forward, even though she feels excluded at times. The song ends with a sense of finality, with the woman saying goodbye to whatever or whoever she is leaving behind, as she hops on a bus and heads for the border.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the wanderer's wandering daughter
I am a girl who wanders around like my father
Wrestle the pestle for the sake of the mortar
I work hard and do what it takes to achieve my goals
I love as I breathe and leave as I live
I love and leave without any attachments
My cast iron shield's a titanium sieve
I have a strong defense mechanism that filters everything out
And a castle that's built on confusion and doubt
A foundation of confusion and doubt produces a weak structure
Is a nickel within and a dollar without
A thing may as well not exist if it lacks substance and worth
Just when the shoes seem so big I can't win
When challenges seem insurmountable
I fill my own sneakers and take off again
I rely on myself and move forward
Take all my pain and I mix it with water
Turning my hurt into something positive by using it for others
It's sunny it's sweet and I don't purple stuff it
I turn my sorrow into a source of joy for others without sugar-coating anything or making it more than it is
One day by the way I met little miss muffet
I met a person in need of help
I blew my mind with the stuff that I taught her
I shared my wisdom and it left a lasting impact
I said if a spider should sit down beside you
I gave advice
Tell him your name and then tell him the truth
Be yourself and be honest
A great hairy spider appeared there and then
A problem arose
And the holes in my soul started letting in wind
My own weaknesses were exposed
I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter
I felt vulnerable and powerless
She said I'm miss muffet I'm very afraid
The person in need admitted their fears
But something inside me is making me stay
Despite their fears, the person finds the courage to stay
I know deep down that if I run away
Leaving won't solve anything
I'll just meet more spiders and still feel the same
Problems will still arise
The spider he smiled and said how is this true
The problem is not as big as it seems
When I was certain they'd both be okay
The problem was resolved
I tightened my laces and I walked away
I moved on from the situation
As I walked away I was feeling excluded
I felt isolated
Wishing my impulses weren't diluted
Wishing I was more decisive
The muscle I hustle is real for my friends
I put in effort for my friends
But the muscle I keep for myself is pretend
I don't always have the same level of motivation for myself
Travel the land and I live like a martyr
I sacrifice for others
The things that I do aren't the things that I teach
My actions don't always align with my advice
If I spend my time practicing when will I preach?
When will I find the time to lead by example?
I'm lost and alone and I'm fair and I'm free
I'm independent and free, but it comes with its own set of challenges
You am what you is and I are who I be
I am myself and proud of it
What I'm lacking in strength I make up for in smarts
I'm resourceful and make the best of what I have
You keep your stability I'll keep my heart
I prioritize my heart over having stability
Fear finds October emotions are juices
Fear can come at any time
Beat around bushes and make up excuses
Avoiding the issue and coming up with reasons not to face it
Go out for ceruleans come home with chartreuses
Things don't always go as planned
Snip and cut bonsais and turn them to spruces
I adapt to the situation and find solutions
Real friends are friends until after they die
True friends last beyond death
Still I romanticize all this disorder
I find beauty in chaos
Hop the next bus and run for the border
I'm always ready to move on to the next adventure
Give you my life if you give me a quarter
I'm willing to give all that I have for what little I can get
So long it's been good to know ya
Goodbye and it was nice meeting you
I've got to be moving along
I'm always on the move
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffpro8
I remember downloading this song on Limewire back when I was in high school. Brings back some fond memories.
@mArGoT_mAsSaCrE
π³ππΎ ππ‘π§ππ₯π₯π‘ππ§π¦ ππππππ
@soniaj2185
Same xD
@aiqluxo1900
Shit, even the word Limewire alone brings memories. Thatβs so early 2000βs specific π
@gingerlicious6188
I wish this was on Spotify, but that's ok. I'm SO thankful for you posting this! Just recently discovered this song about a month ago and I LOVE the chill vibes! That's what I strive for often, so it really helps to center me and calm me down and get my mind off things sometimes
@spiderbbq8880
I was just having a h a r d time and i came right back to this and calmed down. Thanks Kimya. Love you.
@ferntailwp
I know, for some reason it's really hard to find! There wasn't an alright version even on youtube, that's why I had to upload it.
@littlejourneyseverywhere
My little girl (5yr) and I love this song and listen to it together all the time :) I'm a chronic illness patient and should the worst happen, I have this in my advanced directive to play at my funeral and I hope it makes her feel like I'm still there wandering right along with her. β€οΈ
@ianoosthuizen1429
@@littlejourneyseverywhere best of luck to you, hope you get healthy soonπ
@satan4president
i want this song playing at my birthdays and my funeral