Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he's deep-sea fishing
Lana Del Rey [feat. RIopy] Lyrics


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Three white butterflies to know you're near

I know they think that it took somebody else
To make me beautiful, beautiful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong
I know they think that it took thousands of people
To put me together again like an experiment
Some big man behind the scenes
So I am Frankenstein, black dreams into my song
But they're wrong

God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or an owl to know know you're listening, sitting while I'm drinking
Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific
'Cause I'm good on spirit, warm-bodied
A fallible deity wrapped up in white
I'm folk, I'm jazz, I'm blue, I'm green
Regrettably you're so a white woman

But I have good intentions if even I'm one of the last ones
If you don't believe me, my poetry and my melodies
Feel it in your bones
I have good intentions even if I'm one of the last ones
Ah, yeah, ah, yeah, ah, yeah

Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for all the things he's wishing
God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or a map to know you're fishing, impart on me your wisdom

It took somebody else to make me beautiful
Wonderful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong





Three white butterflies to know you're near

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lana Del Rey's song "Grandfather" talk about her search for meaning and a sense of presence in her life. She expresses her doubts about people's perceptions of her beauty and talent, suggesting that they are wrong to believe that it was the result of the work of others. The singer implores God to send her a sign in the form of three white butterflies or an owl to know they're listening while she's drinking.


The most intriguing part of the song is the poignant request for her grandfather to stand on the shoulders of her father, who is deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific. This request is symbolic and romantic, suggesting that the ancestors can be relied upon to give us the guidance we need when we face challenges. Through her words, the singer questions her own identity and wrestles with the idea of being a "fallible deity wrapped up in white." She closes the song by stating that she has good intentions, even if she is one of the last ones.


Line by Line Meaning

Three white butterflies to know you're near
The presence of three white butterflies serves as a sign of a spiritual presence nearby.


I know they think that it took somebody else to make me beautiful, beautiful
Others may believe that someone else is responsible for my beauty and success, but that is not the case.


As they intended me to be
The idea that others had a specific intention for my existence or my appearance.


But they're wrong
The artist is asserting that the beliefs of others about her are incorrect.


I know they think that it took thousands of people to put me together again like an experiment
Others may believe that the artist's success is the result of a carefully crafted plan or collaboration, but this is not the case.


Some big man behind the scenes
The idea that there is a powerful, unseen force at work behind the singer's success.


So I am Frankenstein, black dreams into my song
The singer likens herself to Frankenstein, suggesting that her creativity is a result of combining disparate elements in a unique way.


God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies. Or an owl to know know you're listening, sitting while I'm drinking
The artist is asking for a sign of divine presence, such as white butterflies or an owl, to confirm that God is present.


Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father while he's deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific
The artist is asking for the guidance and support of her familial ancestors as she faces life's challenges.


'Cause I'm good on spirit, warm-bodied, a fallible deity wrapped up in white
The artist is acknowledging her own humanity and flaws, while also recognizing her spiritual nature.


I'm folk, I'm jazz, I'm blue, I'm green, regrettably you're so a white woman
The singer identifies herself as a mixture of genres and moods, while also acknowledging her own racial privilege.


But I have good intentions if even I'm one of the last ones
The artist affirms her intentions and values, even if she is in the minority in holding them.


If you don't believe me, my poetry and my melodies feel it in your bones
The singer invites listeners to connect with her on a deeper level through their shared experience of music and poetry.


Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father while he's deep-sea fishing for all the things he's wishing
The singer continues to call upon the support and guidance of her ancestors as she and her family navigate life.


Or a map to know you're fishing, impart on me your wisdom
The singer is asking for a sign or guidance to confirm that her ancestors are present and willing to offer their wisdom.


It took somebody else to make me beautiful, wonderful, as they intended me to be
The artist acknowledges that her appearance and success may have been influenced by others, but ultimately believes that she is in control of her own destiny.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, Jean-Philippe Pascal Rio-Py

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@notsspaces

Lyrics 🤍:

[Intro]
Three white butterflies to know you're near

[Verse]
I know they think that it took somebody else
To make me beautiful, beautiful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong
I know they think that it took thousands of people
To put me together again like an experiment
Some big men behind the scenes
Sewing Frankenstein black dreams into my songs
But they're wrong
[Chorus]
God, if you'rе near me, send mе three white butterflies
Or an owl to know know you're listening, sitting while I'm drinking
Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific

[Bridge]
'Cause I'm good in spirit, warm-bodied
A fallible deity wrapped up in white (Oh-oh)
I'm folk, I'm jazz, I'm blue, I'm green
Regrettably, also a white woman (Oh-oh)
But I have good intentions even if I'm one of the last ones
If you don't believe me, my poetry, or my melodies
Feel it in your bones
I have good intentions, even if I'm one of the last ones
(Ah-ah-ah, yeah, ah-ah-ah, yeah, ah-ah-ah, yeah, mm)

[Chorus]
Grandfather, please stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for all the things he's wishing
God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or a map to know your vision, impart on me Your wisdom

[Post-Chorus]
It took somebody else to make me beautiful, wonderful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong

[Outro]
Three white butterflies to know you're near



@RobertL178

Three white butterflies to know you're near

I know they think
That it took somebody else
To make me beautiful
Beautiful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong

I know they think
That it took thousands of years
To put me together again
Like an experiment
Some big man behind the scenes
Sewing Frankenstein black dreams into my songs
But they're wrong

God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or an owl to know you're listening
Sitting while I'm drinking
Grandfather, please, stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific

'Cause I'm good in spirit, warm body
A fallible deity wrapped up in white
I'm folk, I'm jazz, I'm blue, I'm green
Regrettably, also a white woman

But I have good intentions, even if I'm one of the last ones
If you don't believe me, look at my poetry or my melodies
Feel it in your bones
I have good intentions, even if I'm one of the last ones

Ah-ha-ah, yeah, ah-ha-ah, yeah, ah-ha-ah, yeah

Grandfather, please, stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for all the things he's wishing
God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or a map to know you're fishing, impart on me your wisdom

It took somebody else to make me beautiful
Wonderful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong

Three white butterflies to know you're near



@RobertL178

Lyrics-

Three white butterflies to know you're near

I know they think
That it took somebody else
To make me beautiful
Beautiful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong

I know they think
That it took thousands of years
To put me together again
Like an experiment
Some big man behind the scenes
Sewing Frankenstein black dreams into my songs
But they're wrong

God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or an owl to know you're listening
Sitting while I'm drinking
Grandfather, please, stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for sharks in the Pacific

'Cause I'm good in spirit, warm body
A fallible deity wrapped up in white
I'm folk, I'm jazz, I'm blue, I'm green
Regrettably, also a white woman

But I have good intentions, even if I'm one of the last ones
If you don't believe me, look at my poetry or my melodies
Feel it in your bones
I have good intentions, even if I'm one of the last ones

Ah-ha-ah, yeah, ah-ha-ah, yeah, ah-ha-ah, yeah

Grandfather, please, stand on the shoulders of my father
While he's deep-sea fishing for all the things he's wishing
God, if you're near me, send me three white butterflies
Or a map to know you're fishing, impart on me your wisdom

It took somebody else to make me beautiful
Wonderful
As they intended me to be
But they're wrong

Three white butterflies to know you're near



All comments from YouTube:

@pepsicola3561

The intro is so gorgeous. That's literally what I imagine sirens sound like.

@laughcrylana

IDK HOW IT DESCRIBE IT BUT IT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO ASCEND

@burebistta1923

may jailer sirens

@_shaktissitara

LITERALLY WHEN I READ THE ODDESSY I JUST WONDERED WHAT THEY SOUNDED LIKE AND NOW I KNOW

@bbm_b4by

Why is this the least streamed song in ocean blvd!?!?!? I honestly think this is one of the best from the album

@johnsencedric1918

facts

@Brandon-Douglas.

Es que la gente no le gusta mucho las canciones hermosas y poeticas como blue banisters
Solo les gustan las canciones pegadizas y con ritmo😢

@rasaolsauskaite3140

because people can’t grasp and appreciate art the way it should be. unfortunately

@peperoncino5576

People don't have taste.

@only_lana_matters

why is this the most underrated song on the album?? this is what i call perfectionnn 😭

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