Bonefields
Unspoken Echoes: Shawn Colvin's Bonefields Tale
Lyrics
All and all I guess that there's so many things that we don't say and
There are many unspoken things between us that contribute to our sadness.
It's what makes us sad I think sometimes
The unspoken matters make us melancholic at times.
That makes us close but I don't mind, I don't mind
Despite this sadness, these unspoken things bring us closer, and the speaker is comfortable with that.
In the alleys and the bone fields of Arkansas past the piles of tires and the
Describes a setting in Arkansas filled with neglected areas (alleys, bone fields, tire piles) emitting the scent of hot tar.
Smell of hot tar you threw your papers
You discarded your papers in the rain while hiding your emotions beneath your hat.
In the rain under your hat you had a world, ummmm.a world
Despite external circumstances, the person had their own world, suggesting a deeply personal perspective or escape.
There ain't no father
Emphasizes the absence of traditional family structures (father, mother, sister, brother) and a sense of running or seeking refuge.
There ain't no mother
-There ain't no sister
-Ain't got no brother
-Running to no one
-Running for cover
-In the valleys and the twilight of Illinois under the
Shifts the setting to Illinois during twilight, possibly symbolizing a transitional or uncertain period.
New moon I write in my book and I walk the streets
The speaker writes in their book and roams deserted streets, feeling isolated.
Where no one lives not even you but, you don't mind
Even though no one lives there, not even the person addressed, it doesn't seem to bother them.
Ahhh.. You don't mind
Reiterates the person's apparent indifference to the desolation.
And all and all I guess that there's so many things that
Similar to line 1, highlighting unspoken things between them.
We don't say today you think that I don't even like
The person believes the speaker doesn't like them anymore, but the speaker asserts that the person is still their whole world.
You but don't you know you are my world, mmmmy world
Reiterates the sentiment that the person addressed is incredibly significant to the speaker despite assumptions.
There ain't no father
Reiterates the absence of traditional family structures and the feeling of being alone or relying solely on each other.
There ain't no mother
-I don't see my sister
-Ain't got no brothers
-Running to no one
-Left to each other
-There ain't no father
Repetition emphasizes the absence of family figures and the act of seeking various forms of refuge, whether it's Jesus, lovers, strangers, or seeking cover.
There ain't no mother
-I don't see my sister
-Ain't got no brothers
-Running to Jesus
-Running to lovers
-Running to strangers
-Running for cover
-Running to no one
-Left to each other
-
Comment