The Gardener
The Tallest Man Of Earth Lyrics
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Although my judgements known to fail
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
I know the runner's going to tell you
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
So now he's buried by the daisies
I sense a spy up in the chimney
From all the evidence I've burned
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know the spy is going to tell you
It's not my flag up in the pole
So now he's buried by the lilies
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I sense a leak inside my phone now
From all the lies I have told
I know he has your private number
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I know the leak is going to tell you
There ain't no puppy in your leash
So now he'll fertilize the roses
So I could stay the king you see
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
So now we're dancing through the garden
And what a garden I have made
And now that death will grow my jasmine
I find it soothing I'm afraid
Now there is no need for suspicion
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
I won't be lying when I tell you
That I'm a garner I'm a man
In your eyes babe
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
The Tallest Man on Earth's "The Gardener" is a song that describes a man's paranoid need to keep his partner's love and trust, regardless of the truth. The song opens with a sense of foreboding and the singer's admission to his own fallibility, stating that he senses an interloper in his garden -- a feeling that his judgments will prove wrong. He goes on to describe how he created a steamboat in a meadow as an alternative to his inability to sail, which serves as a metaphor for him finding ways to hide his deficiencies from his partner.
The second verse talks about his fear of exposure, stating that he senses a spy in the chimney who witnessed him burning evidence, and he knows that the spy will expose him. He devotes himself to covering up his shortcomings, even in situations where there is no need to hide, stating that he buries the spy by the lilies, building an image of himself for his partner. The third and final verse talk about him fearing his lies being exposed, sensing a leak inside his phone, and his fear that someone has his partner's private number. He tries to rectify the situation by using flowers and gardening to create a soothing environment and make himself seem more reliable.
Line by Line Meaning
I sense a runner in the garden
I have a feeling that someone is trying to intervene and influence my relationship with you.
Although my judgements known to fail
I admit that I am not perfect and have made mistakes in the past.
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
I tried to improvise a solution to a problem, but it was not the right way to solve it.
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
Because I was not prepared to deal with the situation that arose.
I know the runner's going to tell you
I anticipate that someone will try to make false claims or sow seeds of doubt about me to you.
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
There is nothing peculiar or suspicious about me, despite what this person might say.
So now he's buried by the daisies
I have taken steps to eliminate this person's influence and protect our relationship.
So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe
I want to be the best possible partner for you and ensure that you continue to see me positively.
I sense a spy up in the chimney
I suspect that someone is trying to monitor or gather information about me and our relationship.
From all the evidence I've burned
Because I have destroyed various pieces of evidence that might incriminate me.
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
I expect that this person will be able to infer something from the smoke that remains from the burned evidence.
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know that my actions will likely lead to my own downfall or demise.
I know the spy is going to tell you
I am aware that this person will try to feed you misinformation or otherwise negatively affect your view of me.
It's not my flag up in the pole
I did not do the thing that this person is accusing me of doing.
So now he's buried by the lilies
I have taken steps to counter this person's accusations and protect our relationship.
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I want to ensure that we can continue to have a strong, positive relationship and be happy together.
I sense a leak inside my phone now
I have a feeling that someone is eavesdropping or otherwise intercepting my communication with you.
From all the lies I have told
Because I have not always been truthful with you and have kept secrets from you.
I know he has your private number
I am aware that this person has information or access that could threaten our relationship.
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I expect that this person will use their information or influence to try to harm our relationship.
There ain't no puppy in your leash
There is nothing suspicious or concerning about your behavior or loyalty.
So now he'll fertilize the roses
I am taking steps to counter this person and protect our relationship, even in the face of their threats.
So I could stay the king you see
I want to be the best possible partner for you and ensure that you continue to see me positively, even in difficult circumstances.
Now there is no need for suspicion
I want to reassure you that you can trust me and that there is no need to doubt me or be suspicious of me.
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
There is no one else in your life who is trying to undermine our relationship or come between us.
I won't be lying when I tell you
I want to be honest with you and make sure that we can have a strong and truthful relationship going forward.
That I'm a gardener, I'm a man
I want you to see me for who I am - someone who cares about you and wants to cultivate a strong and positive relationship with you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kristian Matsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind