Tarnation originally comprised just Frazer on vocals and guitar, but she was joined in 1993 by Brandan Kearny on lap steel guitar and Brent Johnson on guitar and vocals.
Musicians Michelle Cernuto, Lincoln Allen and Matt Sullivan soon joined the band. With this line-up, Tarnation released the album I’ll Give You Something To Cry About on Nuf Sed Records in 1993.
Cernuto, Allen and Sullivan left the band in May 1995, after recording the album Gentle Creatures. It was released on 4AD later that year, featuring seven re-worked songs from I’ll Give You Something To Cry About.
Frazer quickly reformed Tarnation, with a line-up including Alex Oropeza on guitar, Bill Cuevas on bass and lap steel guitar and Joe Byrnes on drums.
Jamie Meagan joined on bass in 1997, in time to take part in the recording sessions for the band's final album, Mirador.
After the break-up of Tarnation, Oropeza and Byrnes continue to play in their own band, Broken Horse, while Frazer continues as a solo artist.
Little Black Egg
Tarnation Lyrics
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I'm gonna keep it anyway.
I won't let them stretch their necks,
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
I found it in a tree just the other day,
Now it's mine all mine, they can't take it away.
There comes mary, there comes lee :
I'll bet what they want to see.
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
I found it in a tree just the other day,
Now it's mine all mine, they can't take it away.
Oh my, what can I do ? little black agg's gonna tell on you.
I won't let them stretch their necks
To see my little black egg with the little white specks
The lyrics to Tarnation's song "Little Black Egg" portray a childlike innocence and possessiveness. The singer has found a little black egg with white specks in a tree and is determined to keep it, despite the curiosity of others. The lyrics communicate a sense of protectiveness and defiance, with the singer refusing to let anyone else see or take the egg. The repetition of the lines "I won't let them stretch their necks, to see my little black egg with the little white specks," underscore this sense of determination and possession.
The lyrics also indicate a sense of fear or concern for what the egg may reveal. The line "Oh my, what can I do? Little black egg's gonna tell on you," suggests that the singer may be keeping secrets or withholding information, and that the egg may somehow bring those secrets to light. The lyrics create a sense of tension and intrigue, with the identity of the singer and the significance of the egg left undefinable.
Overall, the lyrics to "Little Black Egg" create a vivid and mysterious narrative, immersing the listener in the world of the singer and their prized possession.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care what they say,
I am not bothered by the opinions of others.
I'm gonna keep it anyway.
I am determined to keep my little black egg.
I won't let them stretch their necks,
I will not allow others to invade my privacy.
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
To view my small egg that is unique in its appearance.
I found it in a tree just the other day,
I discovered the egg recently in a tree.
Now it's mine all mine, they can't take it away.
I have claimed the egg as my own and will not allow anyone to take it from me.
There comes mary, there comes lee :
Two individuals, Mary and Lee, are approaching.
I'll bet what they want to see.
I am sure that they are interested in seeing my little black egg.
Oh my, what can I do ? little black agg's gonna tell on you.
I am worried that my egg may reveal my secrets.
I won't let them stretch their necks
I am resolute in my decision to protect my egg from prying eyes.
To see my little black egg with the little white specks.
My egg is an object of fascination due to its unique features.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL S. STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind