A Small Spark Vs. A Great Forest
Norma Jean Lyrics


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What did you say?
Don't speak.
You nailed down all your words on me and it felt like a blind guide.
Leading me into quicksand.
So fight fair, fight fair.
Not all you hear is noise.
Fight fair, fight fair!
I've earthed this seed so many times.
Deeply held in this skin of bark.
Branches made of ash and forests born aflame.
Restless and full of poison.
Shattered by a sea of dialogue.
Rabid speech, like dogs with teeth.
Words like a beggar.
That don't speak.
Crouched and bent out of shape.
Rip this tongue out by the root.
Shake the walls of this pale grave.
A blaze, a blaze is set upon the hills.
An open grave from which a great forest will rise, the fire collapses.
The corpses I've made.
This should not be.
Oh, how we curse.
The tongue is a flame.




Let there be grace.
Fight fair.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Norma Jean's song A Small Spark Vs. A Great Forest speak of the impact of words on an individual. The beginning of the song is a conversation where the singer asks the other person not to speak because their words have hurt them before. It felt like the person was being led into quicksand. The singer urges the other person to fight fair and not everything they hear is noise.


The lyrics then take a metaphorical turn, comparing the singer to a tree that has been rooted numerous times. The branches are made of ash, and the forests are born aflame. The singer is restless, full of poison and shattered by a sea of dialogue. The words are compared to rabid dogs' teeth, and it feels like they are being bent out of shape. To escape this, the singer feels it's best to rip their tongue out, shake the walls of this pale grave, and let there be grace.


The song speaks of how a small spark can lead to a great forest, and the tongue is indeed a flame, so it's essential to fight fair and not let words hurt others. The tone of the song is intense and serious, urging listeners to be mindful of what they say and how it may impact the person hearing them out.


Line by Line Meaning

What did you say?
Asking for clarification before reacting


Don't speak.
Asking the other person to stop talking


You nailed down all your words on me and it felt like a blind guide.
Feeling overwhelmed by someone's forceful communication


Leading me into quicksand.
Feeling trapped and sinking deeper into the situation


So fight fair, fight fair.
Asking for equal and respectful communication


Not all you hear is noise.
Recognizing that some words hold value


I've earthed this seed so many times.
Having experienced growth and transformation multiple times


Deeply held in this skin of bark.
Having a strong sense of identity and resilience


Branches made of ash and forests born aflame.
Having experienced destruction and rebirth


Restless and full of poison.
Feeling uneasy and burdened by negative emotions


Shattered by a sea of dialogue.
Feeling overwhelmed by excessive and unproductive talk


Rabid speech, like dogs with teeth.
Referring to aggressive and harmful language


Words like a beggar.
Feeling powerless and insignificant due to someone's words


That don't speak.
Recognizing when someone is not being genuine or truthful


Crouched and bent out of shape.
Feeling defeated and weak


Rip this tongue out by the root.
Expressing the desire for someone to stop speaking altogether


Shake the walls of this pale grave.
Breaking free from limiting beliefs or oppressive situations


A blaze, a blaze is set upon the hills.
Referring to the destructive nature of fire


An open grave from which a great forest will rise, the fire collapses.
Acknowledging the power of destruction to lead to new growth


The corpses I've made.
Referring to past mistakes or harmful actions


This should not be.
Recognizing the need for change or improvement


Oh, how we curse.
Expressing frustration or disappointment


The tongue is a flame.
Acknowledging the power of words to impact others


Let there be grace.
Asking for forgiveness or peace


Fight fair.
Advocating for respectful communication




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER DAY, CORY PUTMAN, DANIEL DAVISON, SCOTTIE HENRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Minerva Gunsmithing LLC

What did you say? Don't speak
You nailed down all your words on me
It felt like a blind guide
Leading me into quicksand
Fight fair, fight fair
But all you hear is noise
Fight fair, fight fair!
Fight fair, fight fair!

I've earthed this seed so many times
Deeply held in this skin of bark
Branches made of ash
And forests born aflame

Restless and full of poison
Shattered by a sea of dialogue
Rabid speech, like dogs with teeth
With words like a beggar, that don't speak, that don't speak
Crouched and bent out of shape
Rip this tongue out by the root
And shake, shake these walls of this pale grave
A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills
A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills


A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills
A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills

Open grave from which a great
Forest will rise
The fire collapses
The corpses I've made
This should not be
Oh how we curse
The tongue is a flame
Let there be Grace

With words like a beggar, with words like a beggar
That don't speak, that don't speak
That don't speak, that don't speak
Don't speak

Rip this tongue out by the root
And shake these walls
Shake these walls of this pale grave

A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills
A blaze, a blaze
Is set upon the hills


Fight fair, fight fair!
Fight fair, fight fair!
Fight fair, fight fair!



All comments from YouTube:

chris johnson

this was my brothers favorite song from when we where teens. he died last month from a motorcycle crash...you will always be alive in my heart DJ

little shit

RIP, hope you are doing well, friend.

shnoogums1

that opening bit evokes so much emotion in me. it literally makes my heart feel like it's doubled in size. i dont know if it's the plain beauty of it or the nostalgia because this song used to mean so much to me. either way, im almost certain this song will always have a place in my heart

Jack Hampton

don't think so much

shnoogums1

Jack Hampton thanks for the advice

garrettcall

still does much the same to me as well

Jay Pond

The intro is amazing. I used to listen to this on my headphones in my room and just let my mind drift away

SpaceMissile

the ease-in and then the heavy drop.
fuck, it's great
edit: also, never stop thinking. Hampton up there is hella wrong.

4 More Replies...

Ziplock Dreams

Im glad there is a place on youtube were people like me can get together and listen to our old music

OneEyed Drummer

Aw shit its our fearless leader!!

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