All The Garden Birds
Palma Violets Lyrics

The opening lines of Palma Violets' "All the Garden Birds" are shrouded in ambiguity, as the first two lines appear to contradict one another. "Doll you shot me down" could be interpreted as the singer addressing a puppet or a mannequin that they personify as a lover. The second line, "Down shot me a doll," is similarly cryptic, and could refer to the singer feeling invalidated or insignificant in the eyes of their partner or society as a whole. The song's repetition of the phrase "All the garden birds" could be interpreted as a metaphor for freedom, beauty, or an ideal state of being that the singer is searching for. The lyric "All you need is love" places the song within the context of the Beatles' classic hit of the same name, which is fitting given the song's nostalgic, dreamlike quality.

The chorus of "All the Garden Birds" appears to contain a sense of resignation or sadness, as the singer begins by calling their partner "darling" before stating "And I don't think I can have." The line "Check it" could be interpreted as a plea for someone to confirm their fears or doubts about their ability to have the love they seek. The repetition of "I don't think I can have" only serves to emphasize this feeling of futility. The final four lines of the song could be read as a call for solidarity or shared experience, as the singer emphasizes that "All my friends were the/an all of the garden," suggesting a connection to nature or a shared sense of purpose.