Dragonfly
Nahko Lyrics
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You should have faith in my mouth
Like my mother, like your son
Like my temperamental lungs
Each piece fits into the next
Like I'm not black and I'm not white
Both revere me in my sight
You say, "Vegetarians save lives"
But there's your wings, despite my back
There's your baby's bassinet
Will there be one more of me?
Close my eyes and try to hide
From my former dragonfly
Little Bear woke in the woods
Chipped and peeled vehicle hoods
In that van under the covers
I've been stealing from my lover
Moments I cannot replace
To my former dragonfly
I resist and I survive
What a state I've brought this to
Logic lies of mine pull through
But what's that say of my character?
I retreat back into nature
Will there be one more of me?
To my form of dragonfly
I resist and I survive, survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive (oh, this is resistance)
I survive (yeah, this is resistance)
I survive (this is resistance)
This is resistance (this is resistance)
I survive (this is resistance)
I survive
I survive (oh yeah)
This is resistance
The opening lines, "You should put that cigarette out / You should have faith in my mouth", are a clever juxtaposition of damaging behavior (smoking) and trust (having faith). The singer is acknowledging their own vulnerability and asking for trust and faith from their partner. This is reinforced by the next line, "Like my mother, like your son," which implies a familial, trusting relationship. The mention of the singer's "temperamental lungs" creates a sense of fragility, and the image of different pieces fitting together suggests a type of wholeness or completeness that can only be achieved with trust.
The second stanza introduces another layer of meaning. The partner has "twinkles in [their] eyes" and is concerned about saving lives as a vegetarian. However, despite their goodness, there is something that the singer cannot escape - the partner's past relationships (symbolised by "there's your wings, despite my back" and "there's your baby's bassinet"). The question "will there be one more of me?" suggests a fear of being replaced or forgotten. The final line of this stanza ("from my former dragonfly") implies that the singer sees themselves as having undergone a metamorphosis, but still feels a connection to their past self.
The final stanza seems to be something of an epiphany for the singer. They have brought themselves to a state of confusion and irrationality, but they have realized that this is a part of their character. Rather than pushing it away, the singer embraces it as something that makes them unique. They acknowledge their place in nature and vow to "survive" as their former self, the dragonfly. The repetition of "I survive" and "this is resistance" creates a sense of defiance and strength, and the final line is a call to action - resistance against forces that would try to change or control us.
Line by Line Meaning
You should put that cigarette out
I care about your health and want you to quit smoking
You should have faith in my mouth
You can trust me and what I say
Like my mother, like your son
We share a connection and bond through our loved ones
Like my temperamental lungs
I am imperfect and flawed like everyone else
Each piece fits into the next
We all have a place in the grand scheme of things
Like I'm not black and I'm not white
Don't categorize me based on race or skin color
Both revere me in my sight
Everyone should be treated with respect and admiration
You've got twinkles in your eyes
I can see the joy in your heart
You say, "Vegetarians save lives"
You believe in a compassionate and ethical lifestyle
But there's your wings, despite my back
You have your own beliefs and opinions, despite our differences
There's your baby's bassinet
You have your own family to care for and protect
Will there be one more of me?
Will I be able to continue on through future generations?
Close my eyes and try to hide
Sometimes I want to escape from the world and its problems
From my former dragonfly
From my past self and experiences
Little Bear woke in the woods
I am in touch with nature and the world around me
Chipped and peeled vehicle hoods
I see the beauty and value in things that others may overlook
In that van under the covers
I have experienced intimacy and love in unconventional ways
I've been stealing from my lover
I have taken advantage of someone I care about
Moments I cannot replace
There are things in life that can never be recreated or relived
To my former dragonfly
To my past self, who I have grown and changed from
I resist and I survive
I am strong and able to overcome challenges that come my way
What a state I've brought this to
I have caused chaos and destruction in my life
Logic lies of mine pull through
My mind and reason help guide me through life's difficulties
But what's that say of my character?
What does it say about me as a person?
I retreat back into nature
I find solace and peace in the natural world
I survive
I am able to keep going despite obstacles and setbacks
This is resistance
This is my way of pushing back against adversity and persevering
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Joel Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@72marshflower15
Met him a couple times at Inland Empire Residential Centers in SoCal when I was a child.
I was adopted twice as a child. The first one not so good.
Michael never harmed us. I wish his daughter to know this..
Hope she didn’t romance with this guy though.
Hyper individualism has its taxes.
@darrendorrington3143
Lyrics :)
You should put that cigarette out
You should have faith in my mouth
Like my mother, like your son
Like my temperamental lungs
Each piece fits into the next
I come not black and I'm not white
Both reveal me in my sight
You've got twinkles in your eyes
You say vegetarians save lives
But there's your wings despite my back
There's your baby's bassinet
Will there be one more of me?
Close my eyes and try to hide
From my form of dragonfly
Little bear woke in the woods
Chipped and peeled the echo hurts
In my bed under the covers
I've been stealing from my lover
Moments I cannot replace
To my form of dragonfly
I resist and I survive
What a state I've brought this to
Logic lies of mine pull through
But what's that say of my character?
I retreat back into nature
Will there be one more of me?
To my form of dragonfly
I resist and I survive, survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
I survive
I survive
I survive
This is resistance
@medicineforthepeople
'My Name is Bear' World Tour 2017 tickets >>> http://nahko.shop.ticketstoday.com/
@taylorwhitted6128
Nahko and Medicine for the People. I love this video
@mackyd955
I'll see you on the 24th, can't wait
@grandmaknows9320
Nahko and Medicine for the People Absolutely stunning. Breathtaking video.
@risingkundalini1876
Nahko and Medicine for the People. I Have Been SO Waiting.!!! I LOVE You! 💗 and what a Beautiful Soul of Nature, You Found in Paris Jackson!
@allecfamily1832
"world tour" .... come to costa rica dude
@Blackperll66
My beautiful Paris. My beautiful Nahko. This song soothes my heart. Thanks for the medicine. Smiling. Happy to see Michael's baby all grown up. Miss you MJ. Forever MJ. My heart, my liege, I will never stop missing you MJ.
@ariesqueen2306
This made me tear up! Such a beautiful comment :) much love <3
@Blackperll66
More love to you, Sister Aries Queen :)
@kellychampionbacon8162
This is such an perfect comment