Vetiver is an American folk band headed by songwriter Andy Cabic and often … Read Full Bio ↴Vetiver is an American folk band headed by songwriter Andy Cabic and often joined by Devendra Banhart, cellist Alissa Anderson, and violinist Jim Gaylord. They released their debut album Vetiver in 2004 on the small indie folk label DiCristina. Since the album's release Vetiver has toured extensively, opening for and collaborating with Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. Before moving to San Francisco Cabic was a member of the North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake who released some records on the now-defunct Simple Machines label. The band is named after the grass, vetiver. Their music has been described as 'surreal', 'lullingly pleasant', 'tender and accessible' and 'quirky and warm'.

Red Lantern Girls
Vetiver Lyrics

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With the wave of our fan
The flames will clear
These devils from our land
With nothing to fear

Think of it strange, I'll buy your soul
Strength and chance
Will make the buildings fall

And the fires dance

What do red-lantern girls bring
Rolling heads with every song they sing

The sense of swing
That spoke through the air
The boxes weighted keeps the
Mandarin scared

Tensions rise
Tempers flare
The thin disguise
An empire turns wide-open eyed

What do red lantern girls bring
Rolling heads with every song they sing

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Red Lantern Girls" by Vetiver tell a story of an uprising against evil forces by a group of women wielding red lanterns. The song begins with the women using their fans to clear the flames caused by the invaders from their land. The singer then mentions buying someone's soul, perhaps a reference to making a pact with the devil to defeat the enemies. The lyrics go on to describe the destruction caused by the women to the buildings and the fires that dance in their wake. The chorus repeats the question, "What do red-lantern girls bring," and provides the answer, "Rolling heads with every song they sing." This suggests that the women's singing is powerful enough to cause their enemies to lose their heads, both literally and figuratively.

The second verse adds some context to the story, describing how the women's sense of swing speaks through the air and scares the Mandarin, the traditional bureaucrat of imperial China. The boxes weighted likely refers to the women carrying something heavy, possibly weapons or explosives, in their lanterns. The tensions rise, tempers flare, and the empire is turning wide-open eyed, suggesting that the women's actions are drawing attention and causing a shift in the balance of power. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the women's power.

Overall, the lyrics to "Red Lantern Girls" paint a vivid picture of a group of women fearlessly standing against their oppressors and using their music as a weapon. The use of the red lanterns and swinging rhythm creates a sense of urgency and danger, adding to the intensity of the story.

Line by Line Meaning

With the wave of our fan
Using the swift movement of our fan

The flames will clear
We will extinguish the flames of evil

These devils from our land
Get rid of the enemies from our nation

With nothing to fear
Without any anxiety in our hearts

Think of it strange, I'll buy your soul
It may sound odd, but I will pay for your assistance

Strength and chance
Courage and opportunity

Will make the buildings fall
Together, we will destroy the establishment

And the fires dance
The revolutionary spirit will be alive

What do red-lantern girls bring
What is the purpose of these female revolutionaries?

Rolling heads with every song they sing
Their lyrics inspire change and topple corrupt leaders

The sense of swing
The rhythm of their music