Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree
McMorrow James Vincent Lyrics
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As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
To carry me, carry me down
See I have not I have not grown cold
I have stole from men who have stole from those
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
To pay for the gossamer seeds
Names get carved in the red oak tree
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
So follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
Follow me follow me down
In the first verse of the song "Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree," James Vincent McMorrow invites someone to follow him to a specific location, the red oak tree. The phrase "Follow you down" implies an individual or a group may have previously directed McMorrow to go to the oak tree, and he is now asking someone to accompany him. The air's thickness creates an eerie but peaceful atmosphere, matched by the sound of the hollow reeds. The second line is intriguing as McMorrow asks if the other person will wait for him until someone comes to carry him down. This line leads the listener to question if the oak tree location is associated with a funeral, and if so, why does McMorrow want someone to wait for him there?
The second verse provides additional clues to the location and the situation's somber tone. McMorrow claims he has "stolen" from men who have "stolen from those" who are weak and vulnerable. Here, he is acknowledging his own transgressions while also providing commentary on the state of the world. This line could be interpreted as a criticism of systemic inequities and theft from the oppressed. McMorrow then contrasts himself to the person he is speaking to by saying "you are young." This line likely implies the listener is innocent and pure-hearted while McMorrow is older and jaded. This verse's final line compares the two by saying they are both "young," perhaps implying that McMorrow's past mistakes do not define him, and they can both start anew.
The final verse of the song describes how time passes and how McMorrow wants to be remembered. The names carved in the oak tree serve as evidence of the ones who stayed and those who left, giving the tree historical significance. By waiting with his "cindered bones" at the oak tree, McMorrow is claiming his place in history, showing he remained true to his values and his principles. The final line, "Follow me, follow me down," is repeated four times, emphasizing the invitation to follow McMorrow as he leaves his mark on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow you down to the red oak tree
I'll come with you to the red oak tree.
As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
As the thick air moves through the hollow reeds.
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
Will you wait for me there until someone comes around.
To carry me, carry me down
To carry me down from there.
See I have not I have not grown cold
I haven't become cold.
I have stole from men who have stole from those
I have stolen from the ones who already stole from others.
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
Their arms are thin and their skin is old.
But you are young, you are young, you are young
But you are young, you are young, you are young.
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
Then someone laughs as if everything is just meant to fail.
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
As if we can't be saved from deep troubles.
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
But the clothes I make can be sold.
To pay for the gossamer seeds
To buy gossamer seeds.
Names get carved in the red oak tree
Names of people are carved on the red oak tree.
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
Of those who leave and those who stay.
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
I'll wait for you there with my burned bones.
So follow me follow me down
So come follow me down.
Follow me follow me down
Follow me, come down with me.
Follow me follow me down
Follow me, come down with me.
Follow me follow me down
Follow me, come down with me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MCMORROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saocha4501
follow you down to the red oak tree
as the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
i will wait for you there until someone comes
to carry me, carry me down
see i have not i have not grown cold
i have stole from men who have stole from those
with their arms so thin and their skin so old
but you are young, you are young, you are young
then somebody laughs like its all just for hell
as though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
but the cloth that i make is a cloth you can sell
to pay for the gossamer seed
names get carved in the red oak tree
of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
i will wait for you there with these cindered bones
so follow me follow me down
follow me follow me down
follow me follow me down
@jeongheelee5158
is there someone who can explain about the meaning of this song? the Lyric has so many metaphor, i know that mataphor could be some different meaning, of course. but what do you guys think about it?
"Follow you down to the red oak tree
As the air moves thick through the hollow reeds
Will you wait for me there until someone comes
To carry me, carry me down
See I have not, I have not grown cold
I have stole from men who have stole from those
With their arms so thin and their skin so old
But you are young, you are young, you are young
Then somebody laughs like it's all just for hell
As though we could not be saved from the depth of the well
But the cloth that I make is a cloth you can sell
To pay for the gossamer seeds
Names get carved in the red oak tree
Of the ones who stay and the ones who leave
I will wait for you there with these cindered bones
So follow me, follow me down
Follow me, follow me down"
@claunorthman
''So I raise a morphine toast to you. And, should you remember that it's the anniversary of my birth, remember that you were loved by me and you made my life a happy one. And there's no tragedy in that''
@DoubleBread
I enjoyed this movie a lot. Such strong, beautiful and sad one.
@morgank171
DONT MAKE ME CRY
@becky7941
such a beautiful film. So inspiring...
@LD-ju7ge
Which movie?
@becky7941
@Linda Davis third star
@pattyg.418
Great honor to have met you per chance leaving the concert. Humble with a beautiful spirit. Glad we had the chance to tell you how much we appreciate you. One of the most beautiful and touching voices I've ever heard.
@sophielouise1046
If you haven't seen Third Star, you seriously should. It may leave you an emotional, sobbing wreck but it is an amazing film. It sounds weird but it really makes you think about things....
@rachelmaechel
I just finished watching the movie I still have tears in my eyes. Then I heard this song at the end and read the credits to find what song this was... it's beautiful. So was the movie.
@giuliapallanti2255
Sobbing wreck here as well. The movie was something. Still got the shivers, beautiful song.