You And Me Bess
Newsom Joanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me, what was your name?
It makes no difference, I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
The song "You And Me Bess" by Joanna Newsom tells the story of two friends named Bess and the singer. The lyrics offer vivid imagery, taking us on a journey to the beach with the two friends scavenging for food and hoping to avoid the wrath of the seagulls. The singer seems to be advocating for the idea that staying in tune with nature can offer a unique sense of freedom, but also a risk of danger.
As the lyrics progress, we learn that the singer gets taken away for stealing a horse, and ultimately faces the death penalty. Bess is unable to help and a sense of despair engulfs the singer as they stand at the gallows. Even so, they find comfort in the memories of Bess and the friendship they had shared. The singer's final words express a longing for peace and forgiveness, which seems to be symbolized by Bess's glad neighing.
Overall, the song explores friendship and the consequences of our actions. It also highlights the interplay between people and nature, and how both can be both beautiful and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
We picked our way
We walked carefully
Down to the beach
We walked to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
We watched waves move away from us
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
The waves looked like tangled fabric
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
The sea seemed like it had exposed internal organs
Hoarding our meals
We kept our food to ourselves
Alfalfa and rolls
We had alfalfa and rolls to eat
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
We avoided the gaze of seagulls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
I hope nature hasn't noticed us
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
Nature can be cruel
You stayed for the winter
You didn't leave when I did
No one told us about the laws of the land
We didn't know the rules of the area
I hold my own but you with your hunger
I managed on my own, but you struggled
You and the other hand
You, on the other hand
Make yourself known
Speak up
And when we were found
When we were discovered
I know we both grieved
I'm sure we were both sad
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
My heart was heavy
You and me, Bess
We, Bess and I
We was as thick as thieves
We were close friends
So I swore nonetheless
I promised anyway
Up and down, it was only me
I was trying to convince myself
So they took me away
They arrested me
And after some time
Later on
Studying my case must have made up their minds
After reviewing my case, they made a decision
By the time you realized I was dying
When you found out I was sick and close to death
Must have been too late
It was probably too late
I believe you were not lying a little
I think you were telling the truth
It is the day I
This is the day that
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
I'm waiting intently
Like every day of course
As usual
Yanked by my wrists to the sugar front court yard
My hands were pulled to the courtyard
Now tell me what have I done?
What is my crime?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I step to the gallows
It seems I stole a horse and now I'm about to be hanged
Who do you think that you are?
Who do you think you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Moving your hooves like a crane
Gutters that line the boulevards
Gutters along the street
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
Crowded with people who just stare as I'm hanged
It's all the same
It doesn't matter
Kindness comes over me, what was your name?
I feel compassion, what's your name?
It makes no difference, I'm glad that you came
It doesn't matter, I'm happy you're here
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
I'll always remember the sound of your happy neighing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joanna Newsom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwin David Hernández González
We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the
Sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I
Step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me
What was your name?
It makes no difference I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
d M
‘My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves’ is one of the most heart felt lyrics I have ever heard. Stunning lyricist.
Edwin David Hernández González
We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from a gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
I hope mother nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
You stayed for the winter
No one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own but you with your hunger
You and the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess
We was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless
Up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late
I believe you were not lying a little
It is the day I
Wait with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day of course
Yanked by my wrists to the
Sugar front court yard
Now tell me what have I done?
Seems I have stolen a horse and I
Step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are?
Arching your hooves like a crane in the shallow
Gutters that line the boulevards
Powdered with folks who just stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me
What was your name?
It makes no difference I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing
Lauren Dale
I used to sing this song to my son when he was a baby, trying to calm him down to sleep. He's almost 5 now and I just sang it to him again, for the first time in years. He looked so peaceful listening. I just love this song so much.
Carter !
Man this music takes me to another place. I remember when I was 16 I was really stoned and walking in a field, away from lights, my smartphone hidden in my pocket, listening to this record and I felt like I was in another time period. Later I find out that this song is about a horse thief from the 1700s and I'm like, of course. Music pulled straight from the DNA master tape. What a talent Joanna Newsom is. Would love to speak with her one day.
Manu
Ive been listening to most of the songs from this album already, but this came as a pleasant surprise after I found the physical copy for me. I love it! It feels like a tale of historical adventure and all so personal at the same time. She draws from the complex emotions in historical events to paint a deeply personal picture
shrew972
One of the greatest songs of this century so far
Quanna Nobinare
This is such a beautiful song. 🙌🏾😭💗
Lauren Zaps
This song is so beautifully haunting and gives a full cry on a lonely day. lol BUT I LOVE IT
Lucas Hirata Mizuguchi
Still as impressive as when I first heard it. Wow.
DerekAndres
Thanks for the upload! One of my favorites from the masterpiece Have One On Me.