Pennyroyal Tea
Nirvana Lyrics


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I'm on my time with everyone
I have very bad posture

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty
Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld
So I can sigh eternally

I'm so tired I can't sleep
I'm a liar and a thief
Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

I'm on warm milk and laxatives
Cherry-flavored antacids

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me




Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nirvana's Pennyroyal Tea are a dark and introspective look at the singer's inner turmoil. The opening lines, "I'm on my time with everyone, I have very bad posture," suggest a disconnect from society and a sense of physical discomfort. The subsequent lines, "Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea, distill the life that's inside of me," convey a desire to remove oneself from the world and focus inward. The mention of Pennyroyal Tea, a natural abortifacient, may suggest a desire to rid oneself of unwanted emotions or experiences.


The lyrics continue with the refrain, "I'm anemic royalty," which implies a sense of emptiness or lack of vitality, despite one's privilege and status. The next verse introduces the desire for an afterlife, specifically referencing Leonard Cohen, a poet and singer known for his melancholic and introspective work. The singer's fatigue, insomnia, and self-awareness of their own faults are then described in contrast with their desire for the numbing effects of Pennyroyal Tea.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm on my time with everyone
I'm living my life at my own pace, along with everyone else


Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Take a break and relax with a comforting cup of Pennyroyal Tea


Distill the life that's inside of me
Reflect on my emotions and inner self


I'm anemic royalty
I may be weak, but I hold myself to a high standard


Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld
I long for a place after this life, inspired by the poetic works of Leonard Cohen


So I can sigh eternally
A place where I can peacefully express my emotions forever


I'm so tired I can't sleep
I'm mentally exhausted and can't rest


I'm a liar and a thief
I have made mistakes in the past and have not always been truthful


I'm on warm milk and laxatives
I'm relying on comfort instead of true nourishment


Cherry-flavored antacids
I'm medicating myself to treat physical ailments


Distill the life that's inside of me
Reflect on my emotions and inner self


Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Take a break and relax with a comforting cup of Pennyroyal Tea


I'm anemic royalty
I may be weak, but I hold myself to a high standard




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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