Garden
Nahko and Medicine for the People Lyrics


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Miles and miles, the tongues of the ocean
Tarmac and teenage tears
Life, it just happens, those roads and the lessons
Always from things I feared

When I was young
I cared for no one
I had my fun
But I was broken

Piece by piece
Stone by stone
What is beneath is
Above as below

Where is my home?
Where is my garden?
When I'm alone
I am surrounded

Love with condition, a family tradition
Don't make it right or wrong
Now for the reverse of pain to you endured
You were the strongest one

When you were young
Life was a struggle
No one would come
To ease the trouble

Piece by piece
Stone by stone
What is beneath is
Above as below

We'll build a home
We'll grow a garden
When we get old
Will we stay open?

Open, open
Will we stay open?

You are my home
You are my garden
When we get old
Will we stay open?





Open, open
Will we stay open?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nahko and Medicine for the People's song Garden reflect on the journey of life and the trials and tribulations that come with it. The first verse shows the different experiences that life brings, from the vastness of the ocean to the tears shed during teenage years. These experiences shape a person and provide lessons that they would not have and overcome fears they may have had. The chorus reflects on the journey of the individual, expressing their feelings of displacement and the pursuit of a place to call home. However, it also shows that being alone doesn't always mean being lonely, there is always a sense of being surrounded by the memories and experiences that make us who we are. The second verse is more personal and reflects on the individual's experience growing up. It highlights the fact that life can be a struggle and that sometimes there may be no one to lean on. The chorus then transitions to a more hopeful tone, discussing the prospect of creating a home and growing a garden with someone, and the vulnerability it takes to maintain emotional openness.


The lyricist has done a beautiful job of capturing the duality of life, its challenges, and its beauty, and how navigating it can lead to a sense of belonging. The use of the metaphor of building a home and growing a garden with someone emphasizes the necessity of companionship and the willingness to remain open and vulnerable to love and connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Miles and miles, the tongues of the ocean
The vast expanse of the ocean seems endless for miles and miles.


Tarmac and teenage tears
The road and the difficulties of growing up led to many moments of sadness and tears.


Life, it just happens, those roads and the lessons
Life can be unpredictable, and we learn valuable lessons as we navigate its twists and turns.


Always from things I feared
Despite any fear or uncertainty, I still move forward on my path in life.


When I was young
In my youth, I was naïve and carefree.


I cared for no one
I didn't have a sense of responsibility for others and only thought about myself.


I had my fun
I lived in the moment and did things just for enjoyment.


But I was broken
Despite the fun, there was something missing, and I felt damaged.


Piece by piece
Gradually, and step by step,


Stone by stone
And with each difficulty, sadness, or failure,


What is beneath is
The emotions and struggles that we keep hidden or ignore


Above as below
Affect our entire being, in every aspect of our lives.


Where is my home?
What is the place where I truly belong?


Where is my garden?
What can I nurture and grow in my life that brings me peace and fulfillment?


When I'm alone
During those moments of solitude and introspection,


I am surrounded
I am surrounded by my thoughts and emotions.


Love with condition, a family tradition
Expressions of love was conditional, as it was passed down through generations.


Don't make it right or wrong
However, there is no single right or wrong way to show love and care for others.


Now for the reverse of pain to you endured
Now, in turn, you receive love and positive experiences that counteract the past pains.


You were the strongest one
Through it all, you held on and persevered, and that is a testament to your strength.


Life was a struggle
Growing up and navigating life felt like a constant battle.


No one would come
Feeling like there was no one to rely on or get support from.


To ease the trouble
To alleviate or ease the pain and difficulty of life's challenges.


We'll build a home
Together, we will create a space where we both belong.


We'll grow a garden
And we will work towards nurturing a life that is fulfilling, abundant and peaceful.


When we get old
As we continue to age and grow together,


Will we stay open?
Will we keep ourselves open to new experiences, growth, and love?


You are my home
You are the person and the place where I feel truly myself and at ease.


You are my garden
You bring me joy, peace, and fulfillment in my life.


Open, open
I am ready and willing to welcome new opportunities and experiences.


Will we stay open?
Will we continue to stay open to life's many surprises?




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@randycuevasfeliz6193

Thank you Nahko. May God ever bless you with a life full of health, love and wisdom. Peace and love

@chris2489001

A new Nahko song on my birthday. A great gift.

@aligningyourtrilogy7249

Hey Christopher, same here! I was about to post a similar comment LOL... Happy super belated :)

@chris2489001

@@aligningyourtrilogy7249 Happy belated bday to you too.

@heathertiller89

❤ I Love You And We Both Thank You ❤

@travis9260

It feels me with immense joy hearing seeing some of the old songs getting revamped for this album. The same joy my name is bear filled me with.

@mukahbear6277

Peace Nahko,
I have finally made it home to my family and my garden. I will grow old here. What a perfect song to parallel my mind like always!

@jessemartin4767

Brought me to tears, that quickly turned into flowing happy tears. I’m very thankful for you Bear. 🐻

@waywardsoul3562

Blessed be. To the awakened, may you find the peace you seek and always be able to find your light in the darkness. Thank you Nahko and medicine for the people, for always helping me raise my vibrations and remember that hope, is a powerful tool. Another amazing song. Blessed be. Peace.

@sequiaKitty

Wow, i hear and feel so much in this song, I can take a lot from it, the sounds,the beats, and the lyrics. It makes me emotional. As always truly beautifu work.

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