Sadly it showed up at entirely the wrong time for marketabillity and never acheived the fame it deserved. However even 10 years later it still sounds fresh and unique!
Ballad Of Azalea
Sulfur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time is a bag of fireflies
They chew you up
And put you out
Mother told me
Better watch out
Well, leaves are green and nuts are brown
Well, she was tied to a granite pole
By her merry merry sailor boy
Don't tell me what you are into
Don't tell me what you're gonna do
Don't tell me what you've seen before
Don't say a word, I just want more
Like blind people feel things around
The sky went scarlet as a wound
She was naked by cuckoo square
on the spit of the rat catcher
Well memories weigh more than stone
Striking darkness like curtain torn
Mother naked, color radish
Jump up the picture on my dish
Don't tell me what you are into
Don't tell me what you're gonna do
Don't tell me what you've seen before
Don't say a word, I just want more
Don't tell me what is in your in mind
Don't tell me what you got inside
Don't tell me what to think again
Don't say a word, just be my friend
Just be my friend, don't say a word
The lyrics of Ballad of Azalea by Sulfur seem to be evocative and rife with symbolism. The first verse seems to evoke the transience of time and how it can be like a bag of fireflies, quick to come and go. The metaphor continues with the mention of chewing and putting out, perhaps referring to the brevity of youth and how it can be easily extinguished. The mother's advice to watch out seems to underscore the idea that life is fleeting and caution is necessary.
The second verse represents a change of scene and tone. It speaks of the natural beauty of leaves and nuts, but also introduces a darker element with the mention of being tied to a granite pole by a sailor boy. This could represent a loss of freedom, perhaps even abuse. The next stanza presents further darkness, with the mention of a naked woman by cuckoo square and the presence of a rat catcher. It's unclear what exactly these items represent, but they seem to evoke a certain unease and danger.
The chorus seems to be a plea for silence and a desire for more of what's not being said. It suggests a certain fear of knowing too much or sharing too much, and a need for a more simple connection with someone. The final stanza returns to the idea of memories and their weight, but with a new image of a mother naked and the surprise of a picture on a dish. Again, the tone is eerie and unsettling.
Overall, Ballad of Azalea presents a series of images that seem to evoke something deeper and more symbolic. The themes of time, danger, and memory all play a role in creating a sense of mood and atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Jingle jingle moon of rice
The moon shines bright, resembling the sound of jingling rice, and time is fragile like a bag of fireflies.
They chew you up
Life can be tough and consume you.
And put you out
It can also extinguish your passion and drive.
Mother told me
The artist's mother warned them about the hardships of life.
Better watch out
The mother warns the artist to be cautious in life.
Well, leaves are green and nuts are brown
The world is filled with natural beauty.
They hang so tight, they won't come down
This beauty is often unattainable and out of reach.
Well, she was tied to a granite pole
A person, possibly the artist's lover, was trapped and confined.
By her merry merry sailor boy
The person was possibly held captive by someone they trust, like a sailor boy.
Don't tell me what you are into
The artist doesn't want to know about another's interests.
Don't tell me what you're gonna do
The singer doesn't want to know about the other's plans.
Don't tell me what you've seen before
The artist doesn't want to hear about the other's past experiences.
Don't say a word, I just want more
The singer desires more intimacy and connection with the other person.
Like blind people feel things around
The singer suggests that they can sense things without sight, and the world can be felt beyond what is seen.
The sky went scarlet as a wound
The singer observes how the sky changes with the passing of time and the emotions it evokes.
She was naked by cuckoo square
Possibly a reference to a place or event, where a person, possibly the same one previously mentioned, was vulnerable and exposed.
On the spit of the rat catcher
The person was trapped and likely in a dire situation.
Well memories weigh more than stone
Memories can be heavy and burdensome.
Striking darkness like curtain torn
Memories can also be disruptive and disturbing.
Mother naked, color radish
The artist has a memory of their mother, possibly naked and resembling the color of radish.
Jump up the picture on my dish
Possibly a metaphor for how memories can jump out unexpectedly and vividly.
Don't tell me what is in your in mind
The artist does not wish to know the other person's thoughts.
Don't tell me what you got inside
The singer does not want to hear about the other person's emotions or inner feelings.
Don't tell me what to think again
The artist wants to maintain their own thoughts and opinions.
Don't say a word, just be my friend
Despite not wanting to know everything about the other person, the singer still desires a close, meaningful relationship with them.
Just be my friend, don't say a word
The singer values the other person's presence and friendship above all else.
Contributed by Adrian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.