Everything That Rises
Wild Strawberries Lyrics


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There's a penny poised on a whitewashed fence
There's a little black boy praying for his government
There's a nervous lady reaching for her place
There's a red faced son running from his race
Everything that rises
Everything that rises
Everything that rises must converge
This is my country-this is your sign-
We are painting fences, drawing lines
Well I don't know much about anything
And I don't know much about conversation
Look at me, look at me giving my weakness away
Do you know Coventry-ribbons and bows-
She will throw confetti in your soul
Well I don't know much about anything




And I don't know much about conversation
Look at me, look at me giving my weakness away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wild Strawberries' song "Everything That Rises" is a social commentary on the different struggles that people face in society. The opening line, "There's a penny poised on a whitewashed fence," is a metaphor for the precarious state of affairs in society. The penny represents something small and insignificant, but it is poised on a fence, which is a symbol of division. The little black boy praying for his government represents the hope that people have that their leaders will do the right thing and make the world a better place. The nervous lady reaching for her place represents the struggle for power and the competition that exists in society. The red-faced son running from his race represents the struggle of minorities to find their place in a society that is often hostile and unwelcoming.


The chorus, "Everything that rises must converge," is a reference to the idea that all things in society are connected and that we cannot escape our problems. We must confront them and find a way to work together to solve them. The song also touches on the idea of nationalism and how it can be both a unifying and dividing force. The line, "This is my country-this is your sign-We are painting fences, drawing lines," highlights the fact that we often define ourselves by our nationality and that these definitions can lead to exclusion and division.


The final verse of the song is a reflection on the limitations of the singer's knowledge and their vulnerability. The lines, "Well, I don't know much about anything-And I don't know much about conversation-Look at me, look at me giving my weakness away," show that the singer is aware of their limitations and is willing to admit them. The reference to Coventry, ribbons, and bows is a symbol of hope and celebration. The singer is encouraging us to embrace joy and celebration in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a penny poised on a whitewashed fence
There's a small and insignificant object, a penny, balancing precariously on a white fence.


There's a little black boy praying for his government
There's a young African American boy who is beseeching higher power to guide and lead the government.


There's a nervous lady reaching for her place
There's a tense and anxious woman trying to carve out her own position or role.


There's a red faced son running from his race
There's a son who is feeling embarrassed or ashamed of his race and is attempting to distance himself from it.


Everything that rises
All things that are growing, evolving or ascending.


Everything that rises
All things that are growing, evolving or ascending.


Everything that rises must converge
As things continue to develop and progress, they will merge or come together at a certain point in time.


This is my country-this is your sign-
This is the land I belong to, and this is the message or signal for you to understand.


We are painting fences, drawing lines
We are creating boundaries and divisions, either literally or figuratively.


Well I don't know much about anything
I possess very little knowledge or information about anything significant.


And I don't know much about conversation
I lack proficiency in expressing my thoughts and ideas to others.


Look at me, look at me giving my weakness away
Take notice of me as I expose my shortcomings and inadequacies to the world.


Do you know Coventry-ribbons and bows-
Do you have any familiarity with Coventry, an English city famous for its ribbon and lace manufacturing.


She will throw confetti in your soul
She will impart joy and celebration into your spirit.


Well I don't know much about anything
I possess very little knowledge or information about anything significant.


And I don't know much about conversation
I lack proficiency in expressing my thoughts and ideas to others.


Look at me, look at me giving my weakness away
Take notice of me as I expose my shortcomings and inadequacies to the world.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KEN HARRISON, ROBERT KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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