Swirsky's political commentary, which has referred to his change from a liberal to a conservative, attracted the attention of the George W. Bush administration. Karl Rove invented him to a White House lunch in July 2006.
Sand Dollar
Seth Swirsky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She’s got a sand dollar, in her hand and Everybody knows
Red is the color of the daffodil laying on the Windowsill
Careful, her coffee’s about to spill
And everybody knows
Walking through a field of flowers
Revolutions of the sun and the second act is only Begun
Soft is the rain as it trickles down
From the sky to the ground
There on the carousel she’s safe and sound
As everybody knows
Faded yellow tambourine keeping time to her Daydream
Dangling shoes on the pillow
What’s she thinking? Where does she go?
She’s got a sand dollar in her hand, in her hand, in Her hand
She’s got a sand dollar, in her hand and Everybody knows
The lyrics to Seth Swirsky's song "Sand Dollar" are simple yet evocative. The repeated line "She's got a sand dollar in her hand, in her hand, in her hand" suggests a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world, embodied in the simple beauty of a seashell. The next line, "She's got a sand dollar, in her hand and everybody knows," implies a communal understanding of this wonder - as if there is something universally special about this particular moment.
The rest of the lyrics paint a picture of a peaceful and idyllic world, with "red...daffodils" on the windowsill, and the singer "walking through a field of flowers" and feeling content to stay there "for hours and hours." The second act, as mentioned in the lyrics, brings more rain and a sense of safety and comfort as the singer finds refuge on a carousel. The final stanza brings in the sound of a "faded yellow tambourine" and the mystery of the singer's thoughts as she sits with her "dangling shoes on the pillow."
Overall, the lyrics of "Sand Dollar" create a sense of tranquility and appreciation for the natural world, while also hinting at the complexities of human emotions and thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
She’s got a sand dollar in her hand, in her hand, in her hand
She's holding a sand dollar tightly in her grasp, cherishing its significance with the repetition of the phrase.
She’s got a sand dollar, in her hand and everybody knows
The sand dollar in her possession is a known and recognized symbol among those who observe it.
Red is the color of the daffodil laying on the windowsill
There is a bright red daffodil delicately resting on the windowsill next to her.
Careful, her coffee’s about to spill
She may spill her coffee if she's not cautious.
And everybody knows
It's a fact that is widely acknowledged or recognized.
Walking through a field of flowers
She's leisurely walking across a beautiful field filled with colorful flowers.
I could stay this way for hours and hours
She's so captivated by the sight that she could continue walking for a long time.
Revolutions of the sun and the second act is only begun
The day has just started, and there's still so much to experience as time goes on.
Soft is the rain as it trickles down
The rain that's falling is gentle and slow, seeming to trickle softly down.
From the sky to the ground
It's falling from high above and landing on the ground beneath.
There on the carousel she’s safe and sound
She feels protected and secure while riding on the carousel.
As everybody knows
This is common knowledge or an agreed-upon fact.
Faded yellow tambourine keeping time to her daydream
A worn, yellow tambourine is being played in time to the rhythm of her thoughts or fantasies.
Dangling shoes on the pillow
A pair of shoes is hanging off the edge of the pillow, perhaps implying rest or respite.
What’s she thinking? Where does she go?
Questions arise as to her state of mind and where her thoughts might be taking her.
She’s got a sand dollar in her hand, in her hand, in her hand
The song closes out as it began, emphasizing her tight grip on the sand dollar and its importance.
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.