shortstraw started out in 2007 as a two-piece thrash folk band consisting of the enigma that is oliver nathan and what most would call 'sarcastic', alastair thomas. they played a few shows in and around melville, joburg before bringing in the guitar and keyboard skills of jay hartford and the basswork of the esteemed and handsome phil brierley. now a four-piece, slightly less folky outfit, shortstraw aim to hit the gigging circuit with guns blazing, so look out for a show near you... fuck that's boring. apologies. frankie says go fuck yourself.
Bowsie
Shortstraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get this feeling in the pit of my
Stomach and it hurts to smile
Bowsie, when they told me you were leaving me
I could hardly breathe
Cold night
In all the absence of a streetlight
You're ambient, it's sobering
A part of me
A part of me
Confide
Every conversation in your black hide
Frolicking around with the flies
If only you would listen this malarkey
Is gospel
See, when untied (Untied)
I get to dreaming that you're still mine (Still mine)
And every time it makes me smile
Bowsie, I'm still dreaming you're part of me
You're part of me
Sometimes (Sometimes)
I get this feeling in the pit of my (Pit of my)
Stomach and it hurts to smile
Bowsie, I'm still dreaming that you're part of me
You're part of me
In Shortstraw's song Bowsie, the lyrics describe the feeling of loss and heartbreak after a significant other leaves. The opening lines illustrate a physical pain that the singer experiences in their stomach and the difficulty they have in putting on a smile. The use of the name "Bowsie" suggests that this could be a pet name or a nickname for the person who has left.
The second verse reveals the stark environment in which the singer finds themselves, with no streetlights to guide them in the darkness. The description of the surroundings as "calloused" adds to the sense of emptiness and desperation. The line "You're ambient, it's sobering" is a reference to the way that the memory of Bowsie is all-encompassing and difficult to escape from. Even though they are no longer there physically, they still have a profound impact on the singer's life.
The final verse explores the idea of what could have been and the feelings that still remain. The singer dreams about Bowsie still being a part of their life, and this makes them smile, even though they know that it isn't true. The repetition of the opening lines in the final verse highlights the enduring pain that the singer feels.
Overall, Bowsie is a poignant and emotional song about the lingering effects of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes
At times
I get this feeling in the pit of my
I experience a sensation deep in my gut
Stomach and it hurts to smile
It causes physical discomfort that limits my ability to be happy
Bowsie, when they told me you were leaving me
Bowsie, upon hearing that you were departing from me
I could hardly breathe
I found it difficult to inhale air
Cold night
An evening that is chilly
In all the absence of a streetlight
In complete darkness without any illumination
Calloused and it makes me cry
My skin is damaged and it brings tears to my eyes
You're ambient, it's sobering
You have a calming presence, bringing a sense of clarity
A part of me
A component of who I am
Confide
Reveal secrets
Every conversation in your black hide
Each discussion taking place in your dark and obscure dwelling
Frolicking around with the flies
Playing joyfully with the winged insects
If only you would listen this malarkey
I wish you would heed my nonsense
Is gospel
Should be taken as unquestionable truth
See, when untied (Untied)
Imagine, when unrestricted
I get to dreaming that you're still mine (Still mine)
I imagine that you are once again my possession
And every time it makes me smile
This idea brings joy to me each time it occurs
Bowsie, I'm still dreaming you're part of me
Bowsie, I continue to envision you as a piece of myself
You're part of me
You play a role in who I am
Sometimes (Sometimes)
Occasionally
I get this feeling in the pit of my (Pit of my)
I experience a sensation deep within me
Stomach and it hurts to smile
This feeling causes physical discomfort that makes it difficult to be happy
Bowsie, I'm still dreaming that you're part of me
Bowsie, I still imagine you as a component of myself
You're part of me
You are an integral part of my identity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dianne Pretorius
This is such a sweet song !!!
My loser self started crying near the end !
He looked like such a happy dog!! and he was so cute! (.-_-.)
sorry for your loss dude !losing a kid/best friend isn't easy, its the worst actually
(i call my dogs my kids)
At least he lived a long happy life with an awesome dude like yourself!
The Kiffness
I would like to thank everyone for watching this video. I had nothing to do with the video, but I just wanted to say thanks.
Tristan Spurway
You even kill me on youtube XD
Rowan Miller
Dude I cried....Dogs...They deserve to live longer than us.
Ammelynne Griessel
for the love of a pet. Seriously almost teared up a little. So sooo good!
Dianne Pretorius
This is such a sweet song !!!
My loser self started crying near the end !
He looked like such a happy dog!! and he was so cute! (.-_-.)
sorry for your loss dude !losing a kid/best friend isn't easy, its the worst actually
(i call my dogs my kids)
At least he lived a long happy life with an awesome dude like yourself!
Matthew Dale
Nearly there guys! Couple hundred more to go. Best South African Indie band by far.
Navina C
You dudes make me sooooo happy! I think I've watched this vid 10+ times already! So feel good!!!! :)
Darren Shawn Vermaak
So good guys! Goosebumps!
Biggest fan
Darren
Warren Kent
You okes are top stuff - proudly South African
Leo Barnes
Viva la RSA 😀