Tumbleweed
Les Hay Babies Lyrics
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He said he'll point his feet where the cold wind blows
People are searching
No body knows
What Tumbleweeed does and where he goes
Oh but I know
Oh but I know
What the cowboy does
Tumbleweed tumbles in a desert of fire
He's looking for thing and calling people liars
Covered in jewelry from a funeral pyre
Then he's back on his horse like a bird on a wire
Oh but I know
Oh but I know
What the cowboy does
And where he goes
And where he goes
And where he goes
Where he goes
Where he goes
Tumbleweed sleeps by the howling moon
Making stories he almost lied to soon
His mother awaits by the telephone
Because he tells her he'll be comin' home
Oh but I know
Oh but I know
What the cowboy does
And where he goes
Where he goes
Where he goes
Where he goes
Tumbleweed is tumbling to the ground
He tries to step back up but his world spins around
He's looking for a place to hide his crown
Well he went to far and he'll never be found
Oh but I know
Oh but I know
What the cowboy does
And where he goes
And where he goes
And where he goes
In Les Hay Babies' song Tumbleweed, the title character seems to be a mysterious wanderer whose movements are unpredictable and enigmatic. The opening verse sets the scene of a desolate place, where even something as typically free-flowing as a tumbleweed is interrupted by the presence of snow. Tumbleweed is said to be following the cold wind, and while it's unclear why or where he's going, there's a sense that his actions are being closely watched by others. The singer asserts that while nobody else may know what Tumbleweed does or where he goes, she has insight into the life of another wanderer, a cowboy.
In subsequent verses, Tumbleweed takes on different personas and moves through drastically different environments. He's in a "desert of fire," covered in jewelry from a funeral pyre and calling out other people's lies. He then sleeps under a "howling moon," making up stories that he almost reveals prematurely. In every iteration, his movements are hard to track and his motivations excite the imagination.
The repeated refrain of "Oh but I know / What the cowboy does / And where he goes" presents a contrast with the central figure of Tumbleweed. The cowboy is a more familiar archetype, whose behaviors may be easier to predict or whose motivations might be more apparent. There's a sense that while Tumbleweed may be intriguing in his mystery, there's comfort in knowing the patterns of the cowboy's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tumbleweed tumbles in a desert of snow
The tumbleweed is rolling in a snowy desert.
He said he'll point his feet where the cold wind blows
The tumbleweed is moving towards the direction of the cold wind.
People are searching
People are trying to find something or someone (possibly including the tumbleweed).
No body knows
No one has any idea about what's happening, why it's happening or where the tumbleweed is going.
What Tumbleweed does and where he goes
People are curious about the actions and whereabouts of the tumbleweed.
Oh but I know
The singer is implying that he/she has some knowledge about the cowboy (or tumbleweed).
What the cowboy does
The singer implies that the tumbleweed is related to a cowboy, which could mean that it's a metaphor or a symbolic representation.
And where he goes
The singer is reiterating the curiosity surrounding the cowboy/tumbleweed's whereabouts.
Tumbleweed tumbles in a desert of fire
The tumbleweed is next seen moving through a fiery desert.
He's looking for thing and calling people liars
The tumbleweed seems to be on a quest for something and is accusing people of lying to him.
Covered in jewelry from a funeral pyre
The tumbleweed is adorned with jewelry (possibly taken from a funeral pyre).
Then he's back on his horse like a bird on a wire
After his fiery journey, the tumbleweed is back on his horse (metaphorically) and ready to roll (like a bird ready to fly on a wire).
Tumbleweed sleeps by the howling moon
The tumbleweed is resting under the howling moon (which could be a metaphor for a difficult or tumultuous phase).
Making stories he almost lied to soon
The tumbleweed is seen narrating stories and trying to avoid revealing certain details too soon.
His mother awaits by the telephone
The mother of the cowboy/tumbleweed is anxiously waiting by the telephone for him to return (possibly indicating the dangers associated with his journey).
Because he tells her he'll be comin' home
The cowboy/tumbleweed promises his mother that he will return home safely.
Tumbleweed is tumbling to the ground
The tumbleweed is seen collapsing or falling to the ground.
He tries to step back up but his world spins around
The tumbleweed attempts to regain his balance and continue his journey but is unable to do so as the world around him is spinning (could be a metaphor for obstacles).
He's looking for a place to hide his crown
The tumbleweed is possibly searching for a safe or secluded place to keep his precious possessions or achievements (metaphor for struggles and achievements).
Well he went to far and he'll never be found
The cowboy/tumbleweed went too far in his journey and is now lost or unable to return (could be a metaphor for the consequences of one's actions).
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.