resurrection fern
irone & wine Lyrics
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Like our ghosts will live
Pitching glass at the cornfield crows
And folding clothes
Like stubborn boys across the room
We'll keep everything
Grandma's gun, and the black bear claw
When sister Laurie says "Amen"
We won't hear anything
The ten-car train will take that word
That fledgling bird
And the falling house across the way
It'll keep everything
The baby's breath, our bravery wasted
And our shame
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Both our tender bellies bound in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and its Resurrection Fern
In our days we will say
What our ghosts will say
We gave the world what it saw fit
But what'd we get?
Like stubborn boys with big green eyes
We'll see everything
In the timid shade of the autumn leaves
And the buzzard's wing
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Our tender bellies all wound around in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and his Resurrection Fern
The song "Resurrection Fern" by Iron & Wine explores themes of mortality, loss, and resilience. The lyrics suggest that the singer and their loved ones are living in a way that acknowledges the ephemeral nature of life. The line "In our days we will live like our ghosts will live" conveys the idea that they are consciously aware of the fleetingness of existence and are determined to make the most of their time.
The verse "Pitching glass at the cornfield crows and folding clothes" paints a picture of mundane activities that often go unnoticed. This could symbolize the simplicity and everyday moments that make up our lives. It suggests that even in these ordinary tasks, there is beauty and significance.
The song also references objects with sentimental value, such as "Grandma's gun" and the "black bear claw." These items hold memories and stories, connecting the past with the present. The mention of sister Laurie saying "Amen" alludes to a religious context or ritual, but the line "We won't hear anything" suggests a sense of detachment or disillusionment with traditional beliefs.
The falling house described in the lyrics represents decay and ultimately death. Despite this, it is said to "keep everything," archiving the memories and experiences of the past. The mention of "baby's breath" and "our shame" juxtaposes innocence with guilt or remorse, suggesting that both positive and negative aspects of life are preserved.
The second verse continues the theme of living fully and confronting mortality. The line "We gave the world what it saw fit, but what'd we get?" implies a sense of disappointment or unfulfilled expectations. The image of "stubborn boys with big green eyes" suggests a defiance and determination to witness and experience everything, even in the face of uncertainty.
Undressing beside the ashes of the fire can be seen as a metaphorical act of vulnerability and intimacy. The mention of "our tender bellies bound in baling wire" implies both protection and restriction, symbolizing the delicate balance between safety and the limitations of life. The phrase "underwater pearls" captures something precious and rare, emphasizing the beauty that can be found amidst hardship, just as the resurrection fern grows on the oak tree.
Overall, "Resurrection Fern" reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment while confronting the inevitability of mortality. The lyrics celebrate the resilience and persistence of the human spirit, finding beauty in the everyday and embracing both the joys and sorrows that shape our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
In our days we will live
During our lifetime, we will exist
Like our ghosts will live
Similar to how spirits continue to exist after death
Pitching glass at the cornfield crows
Throwing shards of glass at the crows in the cornfield
And folding clothes
Engaging in the mundane task of folding garments
Like stubborn boys across the room
Similar to determined boys on opposite sides of the space
We'll keep everything
We will hold onto all possessions and memories
Grandma's gun, and the black bear claw
Including Grandma's firearm and the claw from a black bear
That took her dog
That caused the demise of her dog
When sister Laurie says "Amen"
When sister Laurie utters the word "Amen"
We won't hear anything
We will not perceive any sound
The ten-car train will take that word
The ten-car train will carry away that spoken word
That fledgling bird
The young and inexperienced bird
And the falling house across the way
As well as the collapsing house nearby
It'll keep everything
It will retain all belongings and remnants
The baby's breath, our bravery wasted
Both the soft exhalation of an infant and our courageous acts squandered
And our shame
Along with our feelings of guilt or disgrace
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
We will remove our clothing next to the remnants of the fire
Both our tender bellies bound in baling wire
Our vulnerable stomachs wrapped with strong wire used for baling hay
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Even more precious than pearls submerged underwater
Than the oak tree and its Resurrection Fern
Compared to the oak tree and the fern that revives after dehydration
In our days we will say
Throughout our lives, we will express
What our ghosts will say
What our spirits will communicate
We gave the world what it saw fit
We provided the world with what it deemed appropriate
But what'd we get?
However, what did we receive in return?
Like stubborn boys with big green eyes
Similar to determined boys with prominent green eyes
We'll see everything
We will observe everything around us
In the timid shade of the autumn leaves
Within the gentle shadow of the autumn foliage
And the buzzard's wing
And the wing of a vulture
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Again, we will remove our clothing next to the fire's remnants
Our tender bellies all wound around in baling wire
Our vulnerable stomachs securely wrapped in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Even more precious than pearls submerged underwater
Than the oak tree and his Resurrection Fern
In comparison to the oak tree and its regenerating fern
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMUEL ERVIN BEAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ujjwalparashar3256
Lyrics:
In our days we will live
Like our ghosts will live
Pitching glass at the cornfield crows
And folding clothes
Like stubborn boys across the room
We'll keep everything
Grandma's gun, and the black bear claw
That took her dog
When sister Laurie says "Amen"
We won't hear anything
The ten-car train will take that word
That fledgling bird
And the falling house across the way
It'll keep everything
The baby's breath, our bravery wasted
And our shame
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Both our tender bellies wound in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and its Resurrection Fern
In our days we will say
What our ghosts will say
We gave the world what it saw fit
But what'd we get?
Like stubborn boys with big green eyes
We'll see everything
In the timid shade of the autumn leaves
And the buzzard's wing
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Our tender bellies all wound around in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and his Resurrection Fern
@TheWatcher328
In our days we will live
Like our ghosts will live
Pitching glass at the cornfield crows
And folding clothes
Like stubborn boys across the room
We'll keep everything
Grandma's gun, and the black bear claw
That took her dog
When sister Laurie says "Amen"
We won't hear anything
The ten-car train will take that word
That fledgling bird
And the falling house across the way
It'll keep everything
The baby's breath, our bravery wasted
And our shame
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Both our tender bellies wound in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and its Resurrection Fern
In our days we will say
What our ghosts will say
We gave the world what it saw fit
But what'd we get?
Like stubborn boys with big green eyes
We'll see everything
In the timid shade of the autumn leaves
And the buzzard's wing
And we'll undress beside the ashes of the fire
Our tender bellies all wound around in baling wire
All the more a pair of underwater pearls
Than the oak tree and his Resurrection Fern
@TheBeautifulKind
I first heard this song at 2am, drowsing in front of the fireplace in a cabin in the winter, all swaddled in soft blankets with the love of my life. It's OUR song, and will be played at my funeral xoxo
@johnbledsoe2997
This makes me happy. ❤
@patinoworld3508
I’m lucky to have come across such a great artist. I cried when I heard his music. It Touched my soul in a way that only a glorious harmony can. I’m thankful to be here and listen to these words. Peace and Blessings.
@nicolette6327
We just saw Iron and Wine on Sunday night in Birmingham, AL. It was so great. We were very close to the stage and his voice and sound were amazing in the small theater. I love that he plays in older historic theaters. It adds to the ambiance.
@Airfryerbath
I can’t explain the feelings this song puts in my soul
@mcallenbell2279
How does a song make me desperately sad and bittersweet happy in 4 minutes?
@kristapskarnitis9613
One of my favorite songs of all time, such a majestic sound to it
@MartaMazure-Silina
It does sound really beautiful.🌌
@blaggard132
One of the sweetest most comforting songs ever.
@Jessepersen
10 years old and still one of my favourite songs!!