Fruits Of My Labor
Lucinda Williams Lyrics


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Baby, see how I been living
Velvet curtains on the windows too
Keep the bright and unforgiving
Light from shining through

Baby, I remember all the things we did
When we slept together
In the blue behind your eyelids
Baby, sweet baby

Traced your scent through the gloom
'Til I found these purple flowers
I was spent, I was soon smelling you for hours

Lavender, lotus blossoms too
Water the dirt, flowers last for you
Baby, sweet baby

Tangerines and persimmons
And sugarcane
Grapes and honeydew melon
Enough fit for a queen

Lemon trees don't make a sound
'Til branches bend and fruit falls to the ground
Baby, sweet baby

Come to my world and witness
The way things have changed
'Cause I finally did it, baby
I got out of La Grange

Got in my Mercury and drove out west
Pedal to the metal and my luck to the test
Baby, sweet baby

I been tryin' to enjoy all the fruits of my labor
I been cryin' for you boy but truth is my savior

Baby, sweet baby if it's all the same




Take the glory any day over the fame
Baby, sweet baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lucinda Williams's song "Fruits Of My Labor" depict a woman who has found success and happiness after leaving behind a difficult past. The first verse describes how she has created a comfortable and private space for herself, shielding herself from the outside world. The second verse reminisces about a past relationship, and how the memory of that person lingers on through the scent of flowers. The chorus expresses appreciation for the good things in life, such as fruits and sweet treats, but also acknowledges the hard work that had to be done to achieve them. The bridge is a triumphant declaration of the progress she has made, having finally escaped a problematic situation and reached a better place.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, see how I been living
Look at the way I've been living


Velvet curtains on the windows too
I've put up velvet curtains on the windows to keep the outside world from seeing


Keep the bright and unforgiving
So they won't let in any harshness from the outside world


Light from shining through
Or any light to reveal the truth about my life


Baby, I remember all the things we did
I recall all the moments we shared


When we slept together
When we were intimate


In the blue behind your eyelids
In the dreamlike state of sleep


Traced your scent through the gloom
I followed your scent through darkness


'Til I found these purple flowers
Until I found these purple flowers that reminded me of you


I was spent, I was soon smelling you for hours
I was exhausted, but I kept smelling the flowers, trying to hold on to the memory of you


Lavender, lotus blossoms too
These purple flowers were lavender and lotus blossoms


Water the dirt, flowers last for you
If you take care of the soil, the flowers will last for a long time to remind you of your loved one


Tangerines and persimmons
I've harvested tangerines and persimmons


And sugarcane
As well as sugarcane


Grapes and honeydew melon
And even grapes and honeydew melons


Enough fit for a queen
Enough to live like royalty


Lemon trees don't make a sound
Lemon trees grow silently


'Til branches bend and fruit falls to the ground
Until their branches are heavy with fruit that drops to the ground


Come to my world and witness
Come to my life and see for yourself


The way things have changed
How everything has transformed


'Cause I finally did it, baby
Because I finally accomplished my goals


I got out of La Grange
I left my hometown of La Grange


Got in my Mercury and drove out west
I got in my Mercury car and drove west


Pedal to the metal and my luck to the test
I put the pedal to the metal and tested my luck


I been tryin' to enjoy all the fruits of my labor
I've been trying to enjoy the rewards of my hard work


I been cryin' for you boy but truth is my savior
I've been crying for you, but facing the truth has saved me


Baby, sweet baby if it's all the same
My dear, if there are two choices


Take the glory any day over the fame
I'll choose the honor over the attention


Baby, sweet baby
My dearest




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCINDA WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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