2012
VPJ Lyrics
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She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.
It is often that I wonder
Why women love men
And I look back and I wonder
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.
Gonna build me another castle
On a mountain so high
So then I can see my true love
As she passes by.
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.
--- Instrumental ---
Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
I know you of old
You have robbed my poor pockets
Of silver and of gold.
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July
The lyrics to VPJ's song "2012" are somewhat enigmatic and open to interpretation for the listener. The song begins with the singer singing about the pretty bird, the cuckoo, and how he never provides it with water until July 4th. This might suggest the importance of timing or the need to hold off on certain things until the right moment. The next stanza seems to reflect on the mysteries of love, with the singer wondering why women love men and why men are the way they are. This could be a commentary on the complexities of relationships or perhaps on societal gender roles.
The song then transitions to the singer's desire to build a castle on a high mountain so he can see his true love passing by. This could represent the lengths that people will go to for love or the desire for a grand and epic love story. The final stanza features the Jack of Diamonds, a common poker or card game reference, and how the singer has been robbed by this character. This could suggest a theme of deception or betrayal.
Overall, the song is a mix of whimsical imagery and thought-provoking musings on love, life, and interpersonal relationships. The repeated refrain of the pretty bird, the cuckoo, provides a sense of familiarity and continuity throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
The singer admires the beauty of the cuckoo bird.
She warbles as she flies
The cuckoo bird sings melodiously as it flies in the air.
But I never give her water, Till the forth day of July.
The singer only provides water for the cuckoo bird on a specific date, which happens to be the fourth day of July.
It is often that I wonder, Why women love men
The singer ponders the reasons why women are attracted to men.
And I look back and I wonder, Why men are men.
The singer reflects on what it means to be a man.
Gonna build me another castle, On a mountain so high
The singer plans to construct a new home on a high mountain to have a better view of his beloved.
So then I can see my true love, As she passes by.
The singer desires to catch a glimpse of his true love as she goes by his castle.
Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, I know you of old
The singer addresses the card game character, Jack of Diamonds, and claims to have known him for a long time.
You have robbed my poor pockets, Of silver and of gold.
The singer accuses Jack of Diamonds of taking his money away from him in a game of cards.
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, She warbles as she flies
The singer repeats the opening lines, admiring the beauty and melody of the cuckoo bird.
But I never give her water, Till the forth day of July.
The singer reiterates that he only provides water for the cuckoo bird on the fourth day of July.
--- Instrumental ---
The song goes into an instrumental section.
Writer(s): [traditional], Clarence Ashley
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.