Wandering Kind
Veirs Laura Lyrics

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A strange July
a storm came down
from the North and pulled out the salt
and it tore out the leaves from the pear tree
my canopy

In the twigs and the bugs of sow
I knew somehow i was free

I held a stone above my bones
i was shaking

In the blue stained glass church
you gathered up my heart
soldered together all the tiny, shattered parts
I said "All I can see in front of me
is the armpit of a crow"
you closed the wing
opened the door
and you ran into the summer yard

'Cause the sun's been known to shine on our wandering kind
yeah, the sun's been known to shine on our wandering kind

Clocking on her wooden board
the tattooed girl took up her swords
and plunged them down into the earth
a twinkling tide filled up her eyes
and poured out to the lawn
we made a raft out of the scraps of her skirt
and sailed 'til dawn

'Cause the sun's been known to shine on our wandering kind
yeah, the sun's been known to shine on our wandering kind
(Repeat)

Our wandering kind (fade out)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Veirs Laura's song "Wandering Kind" convey a sense of the singer's search for freedom and adventure. The song begins with a description of a storm in July, which tears leaves from a pear tree, leaving the singer exposed. In the midst of this vulnerability, the singer feels a sense of freedom and a desire to explore. With a stone in hand, the singer shakes with excitement and anticipation.

The scene then shifts to a church, where the singer's heart is mended by a caring figure. The singer expresses their feelings of helplessness, only to be met with kindness and understanding. The figure provides the singer with a newfound sense of purpose and direction, which drives them to explore further. The singer then encounters a tattooed girl, who seems to represent a free spirit. Together, they embark on a journey, using the scraps of the girl's skirt to make a raft and sail into the night.

Overall, "Wandering Kind" is an ode to the excitement and uncertainty of exploration. The lyrics evoke a feeling of exhilaration, as well as a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. The singer grapples with conflicting desires for safety and freedom, ultimately choosing to embrace the unknown and pursue their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

A strange July
Laura Veirs describes the start of the track, which is in the middle of July where there is a storm passing by.

a storm came down
The storm referred to earlier arrives and causes a shift in the environment.

from the North and pulled out the salt
The storm movement was from the North and it was harsh enough to pull out the sea salt.

and it tore out the leaves from the pear tree
The storm also was able to tear the leaves on the pear trees in the area.

my canopy
She specifically mentions her canopy, which refers to that which provides her a sense of safety/cover.

In the twigs and the bugs of sow
Laura notes that while exploring her surroundings, she finds herself surrounded by twigs and bugs.

I knew somehow i was free
Despite the chaos around her, she feels free of the problems because of her setting and choices.

I held a stone above my bones
She clutches a stone, a representation of herself with the intent to protect.

i was shaking
Due to everything happening, she finds herself unable to still herself and quaking in fear.

In the blue stained glass church
Laura Veirs transitions to a memory of a place that was significant to her growth or life journey.

you gathered up my heart
She suggests that someone she trusts or loves cupped her heart in their hands as a form of protection.

soldered together all the tiny, shattered parts
This same trustworthy individual pieced together her 'shattered parts' but in a way where it can hold together or have a future.

I said 'All I can see in front of me is the armpit of a crow'
She describes the story she is currently experiencing where she struggles to move forward.

you closed the wing opened the door, and you ran into the summer yard
Her trusty confidant takes control of the situation and offers her opportunities to leave, escape, and explore a greater world.

'Cause the sun's been known to shine on our wandering kind
She emphasizes that the wandering type, people or anyone seeking to explore, have opportunities and moments to find light in the midst of their wanderings.

Clocking on her wooden board
A new character, a woman named 'the tattooed girl' is introduced, and Laura recalls seeing her moments ago.

the tattooed girl took up her swords
The tattooed girl grabs her 'swords,' and her actions seem to motivate Laura to follow her.

and plunged them down into the earth
The tattooed girl does something unexpected and stabs her swords into the ground.

a twinkling tide filled up her eyes and poured out to the lawn
She has emotions or tears in her eyes and metaphorically pour out into the open field.

we made a raft out of the scraps of her skirt and sailed 'til dawn
This last stanza suggests that Laura Veirs and the tattooed girl team up and explore the world together.

Our wandering kind (fade out)
The song ends with the phrase 'our wandering kind' which might symbolize the similarity in purpose between Laura and the tattooed girl; they wander.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LAURA VEIRS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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