Originally recorded on t… Read Full Bio ↴Music & Lyrics by Jeremy Lindsay (aka JT Nero).
Originally recorded on the 2002 album Delilah by JT & The Clouds.
Scattered Leaves
The Be Good Tanyas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't I tell you that a cold November'd come?
And deliver the leaves from green to red,
To blowing in the wind stone dead
Well I never used to notice this awful quiet
And fall was just the calm before the next spring riot
Of wildflowers and lunatic rivers
Scattered leaves don't lie
Aw now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Like every love word you heard
But that's just the way when you walk your days
In the beauty of this world
Scattered leaves don't lie
Aw now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Like every love word you heard
But that's just the way when you walk your days
In the beauty of this world
Pretty little disappointments all in a row
Been about a year since you disappeared through my door
And now you come back with your head on straight,
But I got no love or hate left for you, girl
You must be the daughter of the late, late rose, I'm November's son
And I'm here to tell you, honey, ooh what's done is done
Yeah, I been claimed by the wind and the rain
There ain't no going back, nah there ain't no going back again (for us now)
Scattered leaves don't lie
Aw now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Like every love word you heard
But that's just the way when you walk your days
In the beauty of this world
Scattered leaves don't lie
Aw now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Like every love word you heard
But that's just the way when you walk your days
In the beauty of this world
In "Scattered Leaves," The Be Good Tanyas sing about the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of love. The song opens with the singer warning her lover not to be surprised by the changing autumn scenery, as she had warned them about the coming cold of November. The leaves turn from green to red and eventually die off, symbolizing the transitory nature of life and love. The singer reflects on how she never used to take note of the silence and calm that comes with fall, and how it was just a lull before the next burst of energy when spring arrives. The verses talk about the ebb and flow of life, the recurring cycles of blooming and dying that make up our existence.
The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "scattered leaves don't lie," reinforces this theme of impermanence. The leaves that fall from trees may be scattered everywhere, but they bear witness to the changes that are taking place. Every relationship, every word of love, is just as transient as those leaves. As the song goes on, the singer seems to be addressing someone who has returned to her after a year, but she no longer feels anything for them. She compares them to the late rose from the previous line: something that once held beauty and promise but has since withered away. She tells them that what's done is done and that there's no going back, just like there's no going back to the previous stage of life once it has passed.
The song is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of life. It's a gentle meditation on how everything we hold dear will one day pass away and how there's a beauty to be found in that transience.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you go looking so surprised, baby don't you look so stunned
I warned you about the autumn season and its effects on the leaves
Didn't I tell you that a cold November'd come?
I warned you about the autumn season and its effects on the leaves
And deliver the leaves from green to red,
The autumn season changes the color of the leaves from green to red
To blowing in the wind stone dead
The leaves that once changed color are now dead and blowing in the wind
Well I never used to notice this awful quiet
I never noticed the silent nature of autumn before
And fall was just the calm before the next spring riot
Autumn is a calm period before the lively spring months
Of wildflowers and lunatic rivers
During the spring months, flowers flourish and rivers run rapidly
Sweat jumping off of the skin of love givers (in the park)
People in the park are enjoying the season and its associated physical activities
Scattered leaves don't lie
The dead leaves on the ground reveal the change in season
Aw now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Don't worry or cry about lost love, it's a natural part of life
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Love and important things in life are fleeting and may be gone in an instant
Like every love word you heard
All the love words ever spoken are just words and can disappear just like the leaves
But that's just the way when you walk your days
This is just the way life is
In the beauty of this world
Appreciate the beauty and enjoy life despite its fleeting moments
Pretty little disappointments all in a row
Disappointments in love have stacked up over time
Been about a year since you disappeared through my door
It's been a year since you left me
And now you come back with your head on straight,
You've returned with a clear head
But I got no love or hate left for you, girl
I have no emotions left for you
You must be the daughter of the late, late rose, I'm November's son
You represent the fleeting nature of life, while I represent the change in seasons
And I'm here to tell you, honey, ooh what's done is done
There's no going back now, what has happened has happened
Yeah, I been claimed by the wind and the rain
I have moved on and been affected by the changing seasons
There ain't no going back, nah there ain't no going back again (for us now)
There's no chance for us to rekindle our love
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
123guilhermina321
Don't you go looking so surprised, baby don't you look so stunned
Didn't I tell you that a cold november'd come?
And deliver the leaves from green to red
To blowing in the wind stone dead
Well I never used to notice this awful quiet, mmmmh
And fall was just the calm before the next spring riot, mmmhh
Of wildflowers and lunatic rivers -
Sweat jumping off of the skin of love givers, mmh (in the park)
Scattered leaves don't lie
Aw' now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
Like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
Like every love word you heard
But that's just the way when you walk your days
In the beauty of this world
(repeat)
Pretty little disappointments all in a row
Been about a year since you disappeared through my door
And now you come back with your head on straight
But I got no love or hate left for you, girl
You must be the daughter of the late, late rose - I'm November's son
And I'm here to tell you, honey, ooh what's done is done
Yeah, I been claimed by the wind and the rain
There ain't no going back, naw there ain't no going back again (for us now)
Happy methehappyone
Over the years,, I always had a difficult time when i trying to describe these young ladies to others who have never heard them,, I have finally found that way,, An INCREDIBLY TALENTED GROUP OF VOCAL CONTORTIONISTS!!❤
alp esener
This song is a hidden gem. My god, so beautiful. What a presicion in harmony! I listened to it both live and this and dont know which one is better. So special.
Brian J. Carnevale
Happiness is so very fragile for some of us. This song stays in line with that good spirit.
DragonSlayer
Thanks guys
Free Frank
A really fantastic song! Hope I can buy this as vinyl one day.
The whole LP is really top !!
DragonSlayer
Lol. What about HL?
Stephen Fitzpatrick
What a beautiful piece of art .
TyghValleyBarber
Love this song! Should be a chart topper!
Scarlet Black
I love the shake in her voice in this song, they are really great! So glad I discovered them.
Chris Pitts
Amazing song. I ❤️ it when it comes on!