Wearing their animosity on their sleeve, Birmingham, AL-based Verbena bear … Read Full Bio ↴Wearing their animosity on their sleeve, Birmingham, AL-based Verbena bear more than a slight resemblance to Nirvana with their gritty, aggressive rock and singer/guitarist Scott Bondy's soul-bearing vocals. Bondy began playing with Les Nuby (drums) and Daniel Johnston (bassist) when the three were in high school in the early '90s. Ann Marie Griffin (singer/guitarist) joined the trio, called Shallow, and shared songwriting duties with Bondy. Nuby left the group and was replaced by original Remy Zero drummer Louis Schefano. The band renamed itself Verbena and released the EP, Pilot Park, on Merge. Nuby rejoined the band a year later. Verbena's debut full-length, Souls for Sale, attracted attention from Capitol and Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, who agreed to produce the band's major-label debut, Into the Pink. In 1999, Johnston left the band, making Verbena a trio once again. It would be another four years until Verbena would rise again. In 2003, Nuby, Bondy, and Daviston resumed schedule with Capitol for their third album. Tinkering with more of a blues oriented worldbeat sound, Verbena issued La Musica Negra in May 2003.

CAMELLIA
Verbena Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Summertime
You do what you want
Oh the garden go so high, and the air was full of lead
Everyday was just like before

Not a dark cloud in the sky
Just a lid under your skin

Hey imagine it's alright
Baby blue
Don't make a sound
You should listen for the end, 'cause it's right over the hill

Don't you cry, you won't feel no hurt
And just close your baby eyes
And go wherever you please

Hallelujah (until song ends)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Verbena's song Camellia appear to be about a person who is living in a state of inertia during the summertime. This person is not taking any action to change their life, and they seem to be stuck in a cycle of boredom and monotony. The garden is overgrown, and the air is thick and heavy with the weight of the person's immobilized state. There is no hope for things to change; every day is just like before.

Despite the feeling of being trapped in a hopeless situation, there is a sense of calm that comes with the realization that the end is near. The person is told not to cry, as they won't feel any hurt. Instead, they are encouraged to close their eyes and go wherever they please. The final line, "Hallelujah", suggests that the person is welcoming death as a release from their stagnant existence.

Overall, the lyrics of Camellia paint a picture of someone who is stuck in an unfulfilling life, unable to make a change, and ultimately accepting their fate. The final release of death is portrayed as a welcome respite from their stagnant existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Summertime
The season of summer.

You do what you want
The freedom to do whatever is desired.

Oh the garden go so high, and the air was full of lead
The garden was filled with lush plants that reached great heights, but the air was heavy and polluted.

Everyday was just like before
Each day was identical to the previous day.

Not a dark cloud in the sky
There were no signs of trouble or misfortune.

Just a lid under your skin
Feelings of being trapped and suffocated.

Hey imagine it's alright
Consider the possibility that everything is fine.

Baby blue
A light and calming shade of blue.

Don't make a sound
Stay quiet and don't draw attention.

You should listen for the end, 'cause it's right over the hill
Be aware of what is to come, as it is approaching quickly.

Don't you cry, you won't feel no hurt
Don't shed tears, as there will be no pain felt.

And just close your baby eyes
Shut your eyes tightly.

And go wherever you please
Travel to any destination of your choosing.

Hallelujah (until song ends)
Expression of joy and gratitude.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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