Swing Low
The Mess Hall Lyrics
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Tonight it's just too dark
Is it hiding out
In someone else's heart
Then she found it parked between
The branches of a lemon tree
A quarter full
She was holding on
The wheel was lost
She'd found herself alone
To count the cost
But like that moon above she thought
A quarter of myself is not
Enough to justify
Me growing old
If I swing low
Darling we'll go slow
And fall on our feet
You and me
If I swing low
Darling we'll go slow
And fall on our feet
You and me
With flecks of dirt around my eye
I laid her down
Upon her side
And was hearing bells
and she was gone
If I swing low
Know that I'm going home
To fall on my feet
This world complete
If I swing low
Know that I'm going home
To fall on my feet
This world complete
The Mess Hall's song Swing Low has a melancholic, introspective quality that evokes a sense of disconnection, loss, and the struggle for redemption. The lyrics depict a woman who's searching for meaning and direction in her life while feeling lost and alone, only to find a glimmer of hope and clarity in a quarter of a moon hidden between the branches of a lemon tree. The image of the moon, a symbol of guidance, reflection, and change, is used metaphorically to suggest that even a small spark of light can illuminate the path forward, even in the darkest of times.
The woman's realization that a quarter of herself is not enough to justify growing old is a poignant reminder of the human desire for purpose and fulfillment. She's faced with the reality that she needs to make a shift, to take a leap of faith, to swing low and slow, and fall on her feet. The singer, who could be her lover or confidante, echoes her sentiments and offers his support, assuring her that they'll face whatever comes their way together, come what may.
The song's repetitive chorus, with its simple yet uplifting lyrics, serves as a mantra for hope and resilience in the face of adversity. The singer's declaration that he's going home, to fall on his feet, this world complete, suggests a sense of closure, acceptance, and peace, as if he's finally found his place in the world and is ready to embrace whatever comes his way.
Line by Line Meaning
No moon she said
She noticed there was no moon in the sky
Tonight it's just too dark
The night was too dark for her to see anything clearly
Is it hiding out
She wondered if the moon was intentionally staying hidden
In someone else's heart
She thought the moon might be giving light to someone else
Then she found it parked between
She eventually found the moon resting on a lemon tree's branches
The branches of a lemon tree
The moon was resting peacefully on a tree surrounded by lemons
A quarter full
The moon was partially lit, with only a quarter of it visible
But sharp against the night
However, it was bright enough to stand out in the dark sky
She was holding on
She was trying to hold onto something, probably a relationship or a feeling
The wheel was lost
She had lost control and direction in life
She'd found herself alone
She realized she was now all by herself in the journey of life
To count the cost
She was pondering on the negative consequences of what had happened to her
But like that moon above she thought
She used the moon as a metaphor for herself and thought
A quarter of myself is not
Having only a bit of herself wasn't enough to be satisfied with her life
Enough to justify
She believed she needed more than what she currently had to feel content
Me growing old
As time passed, she felt she wouldn't age well without the right experiences
If I swing low
She's making a reference to the spiritual song Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Darling we'll go slow
She's promising to take things slow and steady
And fall on our feet
She believes they will land safely and be better after a difficult period
You and me
She is addressing her partner and counting on their mutual support
With flecks of dirt around my eye
She is indicating that she is dirty, tired, and possibly hurt
I laid her down
She is referring to herself in the third person and implying she wasn't in control of herself
Upon her side
She is lying on her side, resting, and recovering after the hardships
And was hearing bells
She felt like she was hearing wedding bells, implying a new beginning
and she was gone
She disappeared, passing to a new phase of life or hiding away from the difficulties
If I swing low
Same as previous entry
Know that I'm going home
She feels like she's returning to a safe and comfortable place
To fall on my feet
She's promising to end her hardship on a good note
This world complete
She's hoping to achieve contentment and happiness in life
Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.