Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
Famous Flower Of Manhattan
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A field of cars and people, Rows of concrete, paint, and steel
Manhattan is where it grew
And I thought, to cut it from its stem
And take it from the cracks
Between bricks that it lay in
And save it from city strife
Then someone, they whispered in my ear
A county girl can't be made out of anybody here
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Cause blue birds, Don't fly without their wings
And when we put them in a cage
The world can't hear them sing
So selfish when greed sets in
Possession, the king of sin
And people don't ever let you down
Forever find a way to kill whatever love they've found
A heart beat and I want it too
Manhattan is where she grew
So I left and I let the flower be
And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV
Much prettier than here with me
For all of the world to see
Much prettier than here with me
The Avett Brothers’s song “Famous Flower of Manhattan” reflects on the contradiction between urban life and nature. The song is about a flower that the singer finds in Manhattan, a city of cars, concrete, and steel. The lyrics suggest that the flower is a metaphor for something that is vulnerable, delicate, and precious that has managed to find some beauty in an unforgiving environment.
Initially, the singer wishes to save the flower from the city’s harshness and bring it to a more natural and peaceful environment. But someone then whispers in their ear that a county girl, which here refers to the flower, cannot be made out of anyone in that city. This line is an allusion to the notion that genuine beauty cannot come from a city where people have lost their connection to nature.
The lyrics indicate that the flower represents a symbol of love and innocence that people may try to imprison or possess. The image of bluebirds in a cage signifies how greed and possession put a price on everything, even things that should be free. In the end, the singer decides to leave the flower behind, and the flower eventually becomes famous on TV, suggesting that even though beauty can be lost in the city, it can also be found and appreciated.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a flower in a field
While walking through the concrete jungle of Manhattan, I stumbled upon a beautiful flower that grew despite the cars and people around it.
And I thought, to cut it from its stem
I considered taking the flower away from its natural habitat, amongst the cracks in the bricks, to save it from the harsh city environment.
And save it from city strife, Away from the city life
To rescue the flower from the stresses of city living and the man-made structures that surround it.
Then someone, they whispered in my ear, A county girl can't be made out of anybody here
A voice in my head reminded me that this flower is a symbol of rural beauty and cannot truly belong in the city. It doesn't belong here, just like a country girl wouldn't necessarily thrive in the city.
Don't touch it, it loves you not, Don't touch it, it loves you not
The flower doesn't have feelings for me and doesn't want to be uprooted from its place in the world, even if I want to save it from the city surroundings.
Cause blue birds, Don't fly without their wings, And when we put them in a cage, The world can't hear them sing
Just like bluebirds can't fly without their wings, restricting the flower to a life outside of its natural environment would mean that it loses what makes it special, and the world wouldn't get to enjoy it in its natural surroundings.
So selfish when greed sets in, Possession, the king of sin
The desire to have and possess just for the sake of material gain can be a selfish one, and the ultimate act of greed that can be considered a sin.
And people don't ever let you down, Forever find a way to kill whatever love they've found
People can be fickle, and they'll always find a way to ruin love even when they don't intend to do so.
A heart beat and I want it too, Manhattan is where she grew
Despite the doubts about whether I should take the flower or not, my heart tells me otherwise. The flower's origins in Manhattan make it that much more special to me.
So I left and I let the flower be, And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV
In the end, I chose not to take the flower from its natural surroundings. But even though it's not with me, I still caught sight of it on television, and it was more beautiful than ever.
Much prettier than here with me, For all of the world to see, Much prettier than here with me
The flower is better off being where it belongs, amongst its natural surroundings, and being appreciated by people all over the world. It's more beautiful this way, and I'm okay with that.
Contributed by Sadie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lunar Foxx
Lyrics
I found a flower in a field
A field of cars and people, Rows of concrete, paint, and steel
Manhattan is where it grew
And I thought, to cut it from its stem
And take it from the cracks
Between bricks that it lay in
And save it from city strife
Away from the city life
Then someone, they whispered in my ear
A county girl can't be made out of anybody here
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Don't touch it, it loves you not
Cause blue birds, Don't fly without their wings
And when we put them in a cage
The world can't hear them sing
So selfish when greed sets in
Possession, the king of sin
And people don't ever let you down
Forever find a way to kill whatever love they've found
A heart beat and I want it too
Manhattan is where she grew
So I left and I let the flower be
And yesterday saw the flower on cable TV
Much prettier than here with me
For all of the world to see
Much prettier than here with me
Tieramo
I just got those goosebumps you experience when you find something amazing.
Mark Del
Who are these 17 dislikes - Of course music is subjective. But how can you dislike the lyrics. Avett Brothers have written deeper, more meaningful songs than artists twice their age. The music is just an incredible extra BONUS.
Chandler Willis
N
Layla Buller
People are saying Regina spektor wrote this but ik what you mean
oOWhMOo *
Kid kid đź‘Ť
oOWhMOo *
We are the 28 that deny that Shit lol
RealGlass River
Those people thought it was the download button
Emma Bernard
this song is so gorgeous
mms3192
This was me and my boyfriends song! Ironically it ends with so I left and let the flower be.. Should have taken that as a sign then. The Avett Brothers are wise lyrical and musical geniuses! <3
Gus Block
It wasnt until I sang along with this song did I realize how amazing it is.