Baghdad
Yearning Sands: Echoes of Baghdad in Flo Perlin's Melody
Lyrics
She took a spade, oh she's digging away
She is actively engaged in some task, digging, or working persistently.
Through the sand with the hope that she'll find a new land
She's searching or striving for a better place or situation, hoping for a new beginning.
Oh the days, Oh she's biting her nails
She's feeling anxious or nervous, expressing worry by biting her nails.
Well she's anxious at times but remembers the tales
Despite feeling anxious, she recalls stories or experiences that give her courage.
Grandma sings
Her grandmother is singing songs related to a life lived in Baghdad.
Of a life lived in Baghdad collecting new things
The songs highlight a life in Baghdad that involved collecting new items or experiences.
Grandpa tells
Her grandfather is sharing stories about a life in Baghdad.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
These stories portray a life in Baghdad that the protagonist never experienced.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Reiteration emphasizing the life in Baghdad that she never had.
She couldn't bare the taste of mums tea
She couldn't tolerate or handle her mother's tea, perhaps due to its association with Baghdad.
Oh it runs through the roots of her family tree
Her family's connection to Baghdad runs deeply through generations.
Oh the nights, as she's drifting away
She drifts away, possibly into sleep or a state of reverie, during the nights.
Hold onto the stories that hurt them to say
She holds onto painful stories or memories that are difficult for her family to talk about.
Grandma sings
Her grandmother continues singing about a life in Baghdad and its acquisitions.
Of a life lived in Baghdad collecting new things
Continuation of the narrative of a life in Baghdad through her grandmother's songs.
Grandpa tells
Her grandfather recounts details of a life in Baghdad that she was not part of.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Reiterating the life in Baghdad that she never experienced through her grandfather's stories.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Further emphasis on the life in Baghdad she never had, from her grandfather's perspective.
The taste of honey, her childhood street
Memories of the taste of honey and her childhood streets in Baghdad.
She imagined the mountains, her favourite sweets
Her favorite sweets and imagined landscapes relate to her longing for Baghdad.
She dreamt of her father who said she was brave
She dreams about her father's encouragement, feeling connected to his words.
Those dark brown eyes, those war torn feet
Describing physical attributes, possibly of someone from Baghdad, evoking memories.
Grandma sings
Continuation of the grandmother singing about Baghdad and its acquisitions.
Of a life lived in Baghdad collecting new things
Grandmother's songs continue to emphasize a life in Baghdad with new things.
Grandpa tells
Her grandfather's tales persist in narrating a life in Baghdad she never lived.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Repeated emphasis on the life in Baghdad that was not part of her experience.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Continued repetition stressing the life in Baghdad she never had.
Of a life lived in Baghdad that she never had
Reiteration highlighting the life in Baghdad she never experienced.
That she never had
Emphasizing the life in Baghdad she never had, reiterating the longing or disconnect.
That she never had
Repeating the sentiment of a life in Baghdad that she never experienced.
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