J.R. is said to have started dabbling in music when he was six and his mother mandated – as she did with his older and younger brothers – that he take piano lessons. A self-taught guitar and banjo player, J.R.’s fondness for old gospel hymns, bluesmen like Son House and R.L. Burnside, and artists like The Carter Family and Tom Waits, helped shape his sound, which has been described as “haunting stomp blues tempered with a touch of honey.”
Growing up the middle of three brothers, J.R.’s childhood developed in him a strong sense of home and yearning to return to it – despite being shot in the back by his blood brother with a BB gun – the pellet is still nestled comfortably behind his ribs to this day.
J.R. pulls from a constellation of sensory experiences “the smell of being in an apple orchard first thing in the morning, the sound of boots on old wood floorboards, the feeling of falling asleep to the hum of a fan in the summer, early autumn in the country” that inspire and inform his music.
With a musical style that adeptly toes the line between folky and sorrowful lullabies to dirty, grainy, blues-influenced songs, J.R.’s voice communicates a level of intimacy and passion that carries with it a quiet sense of loss, yearning, and wanting.
Performing on stage with a kick drum, high-hat, and guitar/banjo (as well as the occasional harmonica and kazoo) J.R.’s live shows are visually impressive – a powerful and dynamic display that showcases his musical and emotional range.
His songs speak of sorrow and hope, a longing for home, and, he says, “The more unsavory desires and wants in your life – those demons and devils that haunt you.” *
*taken from his website, The-Wildness.com.
Dreams to Tell
The Bones of J.R. Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't I tell you shut the door?
That snake ain't leavin′ us now
No that snake ain′t leavin' us now
And what kind of dreams did you tell?
To the darkness at the bottom of the well
You are never in this alone
Now you gone give the devil our home
What did you wish on that stone?
Was it worth it saving your soul?
I′ve been around enough to see
Once you let them in they won't leave
Once you let them in they won′t leave
The Bones of J.R. Jones's "Dreams to Tell" is a song that delves into the topic of regrets and the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics portray a speaker who is questioning someone else's motives and actions, possibly a partner or friend, who has betrayed them in some way. The opening lines "What's that creepin' across my floor? Didn't I tell you shut the door?" suggests that someone has entered the room uninvited, and the singer is displeased with their presence. The use of the snake as a symbol suggests that this person is not trustworthy and is dangerous in some way. The lyrics go on to question what kind of secrets this person has divulged, and if they were worth the risk of exposing their vulnerabilities. The question of whether or not it was worth it to "save your soul" implies that this person has made some sort of deal with the devil - a metaphor for engaging in immoral or unethical behavior. Ultimately, the singer warns that once you have let these types of influences into your life, they will never leave.
The lyrics of "Dreams to Tell" are open to interpretation, but it seems that the song is addressing themes of temptation, betrayal, and regret. The use of the snake and the devil as metaphors adds to the ominous and cautionary tone of the song. The lyrics suggest that once someone has given in to temptation or made an unethical choice, it is difficult to escape the consequences. The song feels like a warning to listeners to be cautious of the decisions they make, as they may have long-lasting effects.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that creepin' 'cross my floor?
Asking about a mysterious presence in the room and feeling uneasy about its existence
Didn't I tell you shut the door?
Questioning why the door was left open and possibly blaming someone for the presence in the room
That snake ain't leavin' us now
Acknowledging the presence in the room as a snake and feeling scared that it won't leave
No that snake ain't leavin' us now
Repeating the fear that the snake won't leave and emphasizing the feeling of being trapped with it
And what kind of dreams did you tell?
Asking about the dreams that someone shared and possibly blaming them for inviting the snake into the room
To the darkness at the bottom of the well
Describing the place where the dreams were shared as dark and mysterious
You are never in this alone
Offering support to someone who may be feeling scared or alone
Now you gone give the devil our home
Expressing the fear that the presence in the room is evil and may take over the space
Now you gone give the devil our home
Repeating the fear that the evil presence will take over the space and emphasizing the loss of control
What did you wish on that stone?
Asking about a prior action of someone and wondering if it was worth it
Was it worth it saving your soul?
Questioning if the action taken was worth the perceived benefit and implying that it may have drawn in negative consequences
I've been around enough to see
Asserting a sense of experience and wisdom
Once you let them in they won't leave
Stating a warning about how negative presences may take over and be hard to get rid of
Once you let them in they won't leave
Repeating the warning that negative presences will be hard to get rid of and emphasizing the importance of prevention
Writer(s): Jonathon Linaberry
Contributed by Brody R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nolan
on Bless Your Soul
Oh, when all of your ghosts in your dark hollow
All them move to whats holy in you
Oh and Bless Your Soul
If your keeping time, aint hard if your blind
Just tap your feet to your prayers off beat
Oh and Bless Your Soul
Oh, Lord only knows
'Cause I, got all sorts of time
Yes I got all sorts of time
Oh, when all of your ghost in your dark hollow
All them move to whats holy in you
'Cuase your keeping time, aint hard if your blind
Just tap your feet of your prayers off beat
Oh and BLESS YOUR SOUL
Lord only knows
'Cause I, got all sorts of time
I got all sorts of time
Yes I got all sorts of time
Mel Menchini
on St. James' Bed
These are the lyrics to "St. James Infirmary" not "St. James's Bed". They're not even close. Literally the only thing they have in common is St. James.
Tonio Niémo
on Hearts Racing
Love this one... keep it simple, keep that melancholia...