Inflammatory Writ
Newsom Joanna Lyrics
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Your text that would incite a light, be lit
Our music deserving devotion unswerving
Cry "Do I deserve her?" with unflagging fervor
Well, no we do not, if we cannot get over it
But what's it mean when suddenly we're spent, tell me true
Ambition came and reared its head, and went far from you
But you dirge for the dead, take no jam on your bread
Just a supper of salt and a waltz through your empty bed
And all at once it came to me
And I wrote and hunched 'till four-thirty
But that vestal light
It burns out with the night
In spite of all the time that we spent on it
On one bedraggled ghost of a sonnet
While outside, the wild boars root
Without bending a bough underfoot
Oh it breaks my heart
I don't know how they do it
So don't ask me
And as for my inflammatory writ
Well, I wrote it and I was not inflamed one bit
Advice from the master derailed that disaster
He said "Hand that pen over to me, poetaster!"
While across the great plains, keening lovely and awful
Ululate the last Great American Novels
An unlawful lot, left to stutter and freeze, floodlit
But at least they didn't run, to their undying credit
Joanna Newsom's song "Inflammatory Writ" features cryptic and enigmatic lyrics that are open to interpretation. The song seems to be about the struggles of being an artist and not getting the recognition one thinks they deserve. Newsom seems to be addressing other musicians when she asks "where is your inflammatory writ?" implying that they are not putting forth the effort in their music to be noticed. She goes on to talk about the difficulties of being a creative, using imagery such as "the vestal light" burning out with the night.
The lyrics suggest that ambition and inspiration can come and go quickly and unexpectedly. Even though mollusks have weddings, the artist is often left to mourn their own failures and missed opportunities. Newsom seems to be struggling with this herself when she talks about spending all night writing one "bedraggled ghost of a sonnet" while outside the wild boars are rooting without care.
Newsom's lyrics are both melancholy and introspective. She seems to be questioning the worth of her own music and art, as well as that of others. However, the fact that she is continuing to create and express herself suggests that she is determined to keep going and creating despite the difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where is your inflammatory writ
Where is the text that you wrote with the intention of inciting others?
Your text that would incite a light, be lit
The text that you wrote in order to create a spark of anger among your audience?
Our music deserving devotion unswerving
Our music deserves unwavering attention and admiration.
Cry "Do I deserve her?" with unflagging fervor
Be continuously passionate and enthusiastic about the possibility of deserving someone.
Well, no we do not, if we cannot get over it
If we cannot move past our mistakes, then we do not deserve to be with the one we desire.
But what's it mean when suddenly we're spent, tell me true
What does it mean when we suddenly lose all our energy and motivation?
Ambition came and reared its head, and went far from you
You had ambition, but it disappeared from you.
Even mollusks have weddings, though solemn and leaden
Even the simplest creatures celebrate and have ceremonies, despite the lack of grandeur.
But you dirge for the dead, take no jam on your bread
You lament over the dead and cannot enjoy basic pleasures in life.
Just a supper of salt and a waltz through your empty bed
You only have a simple meal and have to dance alone in your empty bedroom.
And all at once it came to me
Suddenly I had a realization.
And I wrote and hunched 'till four-thirty
I wrote and worked until 4:30am.
But that vestal light
But that pure and chaste light.
It burns out with the night
It fades away with the night.
In spite of all the time that we spent on it
Despite all the time and effort we put into it.
On one bedraggled ghost of a sonnet
On a poor, lifeless sonnet.
While outside, the wild boars root
Meanwhile, the wild boars are foraging for food.
Without bending a bough underfoot
Without breaking any branches with their movement.
Oh it breaks my heart
It makes me feel sad.
I don't know how they do it
I do not understand how they can survive with so little.
So don't ask me
Do not inquire from me.
And as for my inflammatory writ
As for the text that I wrote to incite anger among others.
Well, I wrote it and I was not inflamed one bit
I wrote it without feeling any anger myself.
Advice from the master derailed that disaster
Advice from an expert prevented that failure.
He said "Hand that pen over to me, poetaster!"
He said, give the pen to me, you mediocre poet!
While across the great plains, keening lovely and awful
While across the great plains, there is an emotional and soulful sound.
Ululate the last Great American Novels
The last great American novels express themselves through a loud and mournful cry.
An unlawful lot, left to stutter and freeze, floodlit
A group of illegal people are left to stammer and freeze under the bright light.
But at least they didn't run, to their undying credit
At least they did not give up and flee, which is a testament to their courage.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.