A Song for You
Whiskeytown Lyrics


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Oh my land is like a wild goose
Wanders all around everywhere
Trembles and it shakes til every tree is loose
It rolls the meadows and it rolls the nails
So take me down to your dance floor
And I won't mind the people when they stare
Paint a different color on your front door
And tomorrow we will still be there
Jesus built a ship to sing a song to
It sails the rivers and it sails the tide
Some of my friends don't know who they belong to
Some can't get a single thing to work inside
So take me down to your dance floor
And I won't mind the people when they stare
Paint a different color on your front door
And tomorrow we will still be there
I loved you darlin', and now I'm leaving
And I can see the sorrow in your eyes
I hope you know a lot more than you believe in
I hope the sun don't hurt you when you cry
So take me down to your dance floor
And I won't mind the people when they stare
Paint a different color on your front door




And tomorrow we will still be there
And tomorrow we will still be there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Whiskeytown’s “A Song for You” are enigmatic and poetic, with vivid images and metaphors that paint a picture of a wanderer or troubadour-like persona moving from place to place, seeking connection and finding solace through music and community. The opening line, “Oh my land is like a wild goose, wanders all around everywhere,” suggests a feeling of restlessness and a desire for freedom and movement, while the subsequent line, “trembles and it shakes til every tree is loose,” creates a sense of chaos and upheaval. The singer seems to find comfort in this wildness, as evidenced by the line, “it rolls the meadows and it rolls the nails,” which suggests a connection with the natural world and perhaps a sense of purpose in the midst of the tumultuousness of life.


The second stanza introduces the character of Jesus, who “built a ship to sing a song to,” which could be a metaphorical reference to the idea of religion or spirituality providing solace and meaning amidst the chaos of life. The singer also mentions “friends” who “don’t know who they belong to” and “can’t get a single thing to work inside,” which suggests a sense of dislocation and perhaps even alienation. However, he still seeks connection, as evidenced by the repeated refrain of “take me down to your dance floor, and I won’t mind the people when they stare,” a plea for acceptance and community.


The final stanza introduces a sense of farewell and departure, as the singer tells his lover that he is leaving and acknowledges her sorrow. He expresses hope that she knows “a lot more than you believe in,” suggesting that there is more to life than the pain of the present moment. The repeated refrain of “And tomorrow we will still be there” creates a sense of continuity and resilience, suggesting that even in the face of change and hardship, life goes on.


Overall, “A Song for You” is a poignant meditation on the human experience, with a focus on the themes of connection, uncertainty, and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh my land is like a wild goose
My home and the people in it are unpredictable, always moving around and never staying in one place for too long.


Wanders all around everywhere
The wild goose represents the constant movement and restlessness of the people in my land, never content with staying put.


Trembles and it shakes til every tree is loose
The constant shaking of the land due to the restless nature of its inhabitants.


It rolls the meadows and it rolls the nails
The occupants of my land disrupt and affect everything around them, even the environment.


So take me down to your dance floor
Despite the chaos of my homeland, I am willing to find solace in something as simple as a dance floor.


And I won't mind the people when they stare
I am willing to ignore any judgment or criticism from others as long as I can find some peace and joy in dancing.


Paint a different color on your front door
I urge you to try something different and make a change in your life, even if it's just as small as painting your door a different color.


And tomorrow we will still be there
Despite the changes we may make, we will still exist and persevere in the face of chaos and uncertainty.


Jesus built a ship to sing a song to
I draw parallels between Jesus' message of hope and my own message of resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship.


It sails the rivers and it sails the tide
Just like Jesus' message, my message of hope and resilience is universal and can reach all corners of the world.


Some of my friends don't know who they belong to
Some of the people in my life struggle with their identity and sense of belonging, as a result of the restlessness and chaos of our land.


Some can't get a single thing to work inside
Others struggle with their internal struggles and can't seem to find any peace within themselves.


I loved you darlin', and now I'm leaving
Despite my love for you, I must leave this chaotic land in search of something better.


And I can see the sorrow in your eyes
I see the pain and sadness in your eyes as we say goodbye.


I hope you know a lot more than you believe in
I hope you have more hope and resilience within you than you realize, and can overcome the challenges of our land.


I hope the sun don't hurt you when you cry
I hope that even in your sadness and pain, you can find some comfort and solace in the beauty of the world around you.


And tomorrow we will still be there
No matter what happens, we will still exist and persevere, always looking for hope and beauty in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALEX CANTRALL, CARSTEN SCHACK, KENNETH KARLIN, PHILLIP ANTHONY WHITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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