HARVEST
Stray Gators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your mother in so much pain?
I was almost there at the top of the stairs
With her screamin' in the rain
Did she wake you up to tell you that
It was only a change of plan?
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
Did I see you walking with the boys
Though it was not hand in hand?
And was some black face in a lonely place
When you could understand?
Did she wake you up to tell you that
It was only a change of plan?
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
With the promise of a man
Will I see you give more than I can take?
Will I only harvest some?
As the days fly past will we lose our grasp
Or fuse it in the sun?
Did she wake you up to tell you that
It was only a change of plan?
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
With the promise of a man
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
With the promise of a man
The Stray Gators’ “Harvest” is a song that addresses the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the intense emotional changes that come with it. The song suggests that the transition can be overwhelming and often filled with pain and confusion. The opening lines set the scene for a complicated scenario where the singer sees someone they know in “a young girl’s town” with their mother in “so much pain.” The ambiguity of this scene raises questions about the relationship between the two characters and why the mother is in pain. The listener is only given a glimpse into the situation, creating a sense of mystery and tension.
As the song continues, the singer begins to question their own experiences and relationships. They ask if they saw the other character walking with boys. This line can be interpreted in many ways, but it reflects both the confusion and exploration that often come with adolescence. The line “Will I see you give more than I can take? Will I only harvest some?” suggests that the singer is trying to understand their role in the world and in their relationships. The song ends on an optimistic note, with the singer asking to “fill your cup with the promise of a man.” This is a hopeful line that suggests that despite the pain and confusion that comes with growing up, there is still a chance for new beginnings and positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I see you down in a young girl's town
With your mother in so much pain?
Did I really see you in a place where young girls are exploited, and your mother was in immense agony?
I was almost there at the top of the stairs
With her screamin' in the rain
I was almost up there on the stairs with someone screaming in the rain.
Did she wake you up to tell you that
It was only a change of plan?
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
With the promise of a man
Did someone wake you up and explain to you that things did not go according to plan? Let your imagination run wild, and allow me to fulfill your life with the hopes of a man.
Did I see you walking with the boys
Though it was not hand in hand?
And was some black face in a lonely place
When you could understand?
Did I see you walking with some boys, even though you weren't holding hands? And did you see someone of color in an isolated place where you could relate?
Will I see you give more than I can take?
Will I only harvest some?
As the days fly past will we lose our grasp
Or fuse it in the sun?
Will you be able to give more than I can receive? Will I only be able to attain some of what you have to offer? As time passes, will we lose the connection we've made or strengthen it in the warmth of the sun?
Dream up, dream up, let me fill your cup
With the promise of a man
Let your imagination take flight, and let me fill your life with the possibilities of what a man can offer.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilyoungchannel
Hi, this is Neil. Link to the NYA info-card for this song with press, documents, manuscripts, photos, videos. Look around NYA for fun and listening! ALL my music in high resolution at https://neilyoungarchives.com/info-card?track=t1973_0205_04
@spookedhorse
Love you, man.
@senatornoam7313
yo Neil! really wanna meet you.
@fabiobisson2496
I purchased the album Harvest back in 1971 and I'm still listening it now 48 years later. Thank you Neil for sharing your soul with us.
@maryjaneressler9459
I fell in love with Neil and his music back in 1967 when he was playing with Buffalo Springfield. I have followed him through all these 50 some odd years and still love the man and his music! <<<hugs>>> to you Neil!
@tinakinzett8479
@Lauren Pathfinder and same here x
@BevAnn_212
Growing up with Neil Young, I never get tired of listening. Thank You Neil for all the great year's of great Song's and Memories that come to mind every time I hear Them.
True Classic Rock!!
💓🎶💓🎶💓🎶💓🎶💋
@zeze0382
Grazie Neil! Le tue canzoni mi hanno sempre fatto compagnia fin da giovanissimo e mi hanno insegnato ad apprezzare la buona musica. Thank you
@limelight1397
In my teenage years I played your records, still do and sang them all along, love you Mr.Neil. 💖
@rafaeldauer
I really love this song!!!! ♦️♣️♥️♠️