Matthew Stephen Ward (b 4th October 1973, Newbury Park, California), known … Read Full Bio ↴Matthew Stephen Ward (b 4th October 1973, Newbury Park, California), known by his stage name M. Ward, is a U.S. singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work, he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.

Ward was previously with the band Rodriguez, which included bassist Kyle Field (of Little Wings fame) and drummer Mike Funk. They recorded and released on cassette Box Plots and Cash Crops and then the album Swing Like a Metronome in 2000. Duet for Guitars #2 was released on Howe Gelb's Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia, was released by Future Farmer Records, and his subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & the Voices of Strangers, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows. His next album, Transfiguration of Vincent, was released in 2003, followed by Transistor Radio in 2005. A year later, Post War was released.

In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce, the John Fahey tribute album, I Am the Resurrection. He also contributed the song "Transfiguration #1" from Transfiguration of Vincent to the Brushfire Records soundtrack for A Brokedown Melody, a Jack Johnson surfing film.

His album, Hold Time, was released in 2009. The album A Wasteland Companion followed in 2012. The album title alludes to T.S. Eliot's 1922 modernist poem, The Waste Land. In 2016, he released More Rain. On June 8, 2018, M. Ward released What a Wonderful Industry.

Side Projects

In 2008 M. Ward combined forces with Zooey Deschanel and became She & Him. They have released two albums so far, Volume One in 2008 and Volume Two in 2010. He is also one fourth of the folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk, alongside Jim James from My Morning Jacket, and Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes. Their self-titled release, Monsters of Folk, was released in 2009.

* Official website

Poor Boy Minor Key
M. Ward Lyrics

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Poor boy
Head against a pillow
Fast asleep
Poor girl
Head against a window
Lost in a dream

One day they will be as giants

Stronger than the sun
But that day ain't yet come

Wide world
Wide world of sorrow
Won't stand a chance
Wide world
Wide world of sorrow
Won't stand a chance

One day they will be as giants

Stronger than the sun
But that day ain't yet come

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to M. Ward’s song “Poor Boy Minor Key” convey a sense of hope and optimism in the face of hardship and adversity. The song introduces two characters, a poor boy and a poor girl, both of whom are struggling to make their way in the world. The boy is fast asleep with his head against a pillow, while the girl is lost in a dream with her head against a window. Despite their current circumstances, the lyrics suggest that these two individuals have the potential to become great, likening them to giants who are stronger than the sun. However, the lyrics also acknowledge that this day of greatness has not yet arrived.

The second half of the song brings in the idea of a “wide world of sorrow” that the poor boy and poor girl must contend with. Despite this challenge, the lyrics remain optimistic, stating that this sorrow will not stand a chance against the potential for greatness that lies within these two individuals. The chorus repeats the idea that one day they will be giants, stronger than the sun, but that day has not yet come.

Overall, the lyrics to “Poor Boy Minor Key” offer a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The song acknowledges the difficulties faced by those who are less fortunate, but also suggests that even in the face of these challenges, there is the potential for greatness.

Line by Line Meaning

Poor boy
A boy who is not wealthy

Head against a pillow
Sleeping peacefully

Fast asleep
In a deep slumber

Poor girl
A girl who is not wealthy

Head against a window
Leaning against a window while lost in thought

Lost in a dream
Deeply immersed in a daydream

One day they will be as giants
One day the poor boy and girl will achieve great success and become powerful

Stronger than the sun
They will be incredibly strong and influential

But that day ain't yet come
However, they have not yet reached that point in their lives

Wide world
The vast world we live in

Wide world of sorrow
The world can be filled with sadness and misfortune