Red White and Black
Rivers of Redemption: Jesca Hoop's Poetic Tapestry Unveiled
Lyrics
Take the old man to the river's mercy
Symbolic act of taking the elderly man to the river seeking mercy.
Wearing his father's coat and woven pedigree
The old man is dressed in his father's coat, emphasizing heritage.
Take his old friends from the gentry
His old friends from the gentry are also brought to the river.
To the river, the river is thirsty
The river is depicted as thirsty, suggesting a need for something.
Take his old girl to the river's mercy
The old man's former lover is taken to the river's mercy.
Wearing a heavy thread heirloom tapestry
She wears a thread heirloom tapestry, possibly indicating a rich history.
Take his old girl with him, his family tree
She is part of his family tree, emphasizing their shared roots.
To the river, the river is thirsty
Reiteration of the river's thirst, underscoring its significance.
Take his old blood
Symbolic mention of the old man's blood, moon, and sun.
His moon and sun
Reference to essential elements of life, possibly family and legacy.
To the river
Action of taking these elements to the river for a purpose.
And the white rows, like ribbons of Lisbon
Imagery of white rows resembling ribbons in Lisbon.
And roll with the field like a flag that is waving
Fields roll like a waving flag, suggesting movement and change.
And the black rows, they sowed their own chain
Black rows sow their chain, possibly alluding to oppression.
Get a dollar with a calico for their newborn baby
A dollar and calico for a newborn, representing life's transaction.
And the bell sends a key to the lock
A bell and key metaphor, unlocking something significant.
And a whistle in the wind that carries the wings
Whistle in the wind symbolizes messages or signals.
And the guard dogs that catch the call
Guard dogs respond to a call, possibly indicating control.
Put the key to freedom in the hand of Redeemers
The key to freedom is given to Redeemers, those who bring salvation.
Now the iron cloth that's cut from the loom
Iron cloth cut from the loom with black and white stripes.
Bears a black and white stripe of a cotton field rolling
Symbolic representation of a cotton field rolling.
And the dark minds and flame of Redeemers
Dark minds and flame of Redeemers, possibly suggesting conflict.
Put them right back in the iron cloth and the flag is waving
Iron cloth and waving flag symbolize repeating cycles of conflict.
Take his old blood
Reiteration of taking the old man's blood, moon, and sun to the river.
His moon and sun
Continuation of the symbolic elements for a purpose.
To the river, it's thirsty
Emphasis on the river's thirst, perhaps a metaphor for unfulfilled needs.
Take him by the hand to the river
Action of leading the old man by the hand to the river.
Lead him by the hand into the water
Continuation of guiding him into the water.
Let the heavy thread drink up the river
The heavy thread represents a significant and burdensome history.
Let the heavy thread drag him down to the bottom
The heavy thread drags the old man down, possibly to confront the past.
Take him by the hand to the river
Repetition of leading the old man to the river by the hand.
Lead him by the hand into the water
Continuation of guiding him into the water.
Let the heavy thread drink up the river
Reiteration of the heavy thread drinking up the river.
Let the heavy thread drag him down to the bottom
Repetition of the heavy thread dragging him down to the bottom.
Lead him by the hand to the river
Another repetition of leading him by the hand to the river.
Lead him by the hand into the water
Continuation of guiding him into the water.
Let the heavy thread drink up the river
Reiteration of the heavy thread drinking up the river.
Let the heavy thread drag him down
Repetition of the heavy thread dragging him down.
Take his old blood
Reiteration of taking the old man's blood, moon, and sun.
His moon and sun
Continuation of the symbolic elements for a purpose.
You can see
Suggests visibility or understanding of the process.
Take the old man
Action of taking the old man to the river, emphasizing its thirst.
To the river, it's thirsty
Reiteration of the river's thirst as a concluding note.
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