Sister
Sufjan Steven Lyrics
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And sailboats to ride on its back.
What the water wants is sun kiss,
And land to run into and back.
I have a fish stone burning my elbow,
Reminding me to know I'm glad
That I have a bottle filled with my own teeth.
They fell out like a tear in the bag.
She has black hair and small hands.
And I have a kettledrum.
I'll hit the earth with you.
And I will crochet you a hat.
And I have a red kite;
I'll put you right in it.
I'll show you the sky.
In "Sister," Sufjan Stevens seems to be contemplating the vastness and power of the natural world, as well as the importance of personal connections. The opening lines suggest that water has its own desires and needs - hurricanes, sailboats, sunshine, and land - that may be at odds with our own. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which balances a sense of wonder and awe with a recognition of human frailty and vulnerability.
The images that follow are varied and sometimes surreal. The singer has a "fish stone" burning in his elbow, which could represent a physical ailment or a metaphorical burden. He's also glad that he has a bottle filled with his own teeth, which may symbolize memories or experiences that he's kept close. When he turns to talk about his sister, the specificity of the details - her black hair and small hands - suggests a deep familiarity and affection. The lines about the kettledrum and the red kite are more playful and imaginative, but they still convey a sense of companionship and shared experiences.
Overall, "Sister" is a poignant and evocative song that touches on themes of family, nature, and what it means to be alive. Through his carefully crafted lyrics, Stevens invites listeners to reflect on the beauty and mystery of the world around us, and to hold on tight to the people and things that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
What the water wants is hurricanes,
The water craves natural disasters like hurricanes to occur.
And sailboats to ride on its back.
The water yearns for boats to sail on it and explore its vastness.
What the water wants is sun kiss,
The water desires the warmth and radiance of the sun on its surface.
And land to run into and back.
The water wishes to touch and move towards firm ground and then retreat back into itself.
I have a fish stone burning my elbow,
I possess a keepsake with an etched fish design that reminds me to reflect on my gratitude.
Reminding me to know I'm glad
The fish stone acts as a prompt to remind me to feel happy about my life.
That I have a bottle filled with my own teeth.
I possess a bottle wherein I collected my own fallen teeth as if to cherish past memories.
They fell out like a tear in the bag.
My teeth fell out like a painful and unstoppable shedding of tears from a bag.
And I have a sister in Detroit.
I have a sibling who lives in Detroit.
She has black hair and small hands.
My sister has dark hair on her head and hands that are comparably petite.
And I have a kettledrum.
I own a type of drum called a kettledrum.
I'll hit the earth with you.
Let's create a seismic sound by striking the ground with my drum.
And I will crochet you a hat.
I will weave and create a winter hat for you through the craft of crocheting.
And I have a red kite;
I possess a brightly-colored airborne toy called a kite.
I'll put you right in it.
I will lift you up into the air by having you attached to the red kite.
I'll show you the sky.
I will display the sky, with its vastness and expanse, to you while we fly the kite together.
Lyrics © NEW JERUSALEM MUSIC
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind