The Woman's Boat
Navigating the Depths: Revelations of Womanhood in Toni Childs' 'The Woman's Boat'
Lyrics
Now, I am a woman
Expressing the speaker's identity as a woman.
And you are a man
Acknowledging the presence of a man, possibly addressing a specific person or the collective male gender.
I was born different from you
Highlighting inherent differences between men and women since birth.
On this earth we both stand
Emphasizing the shared existence of both genders on Earth.
Now, as a daughter
Shifting focus to the speaker's role as a daughter.
I have learned rules and laws
Reflecting on the societal rules and laws learned as a daughter.
What to say and not to say
Referencing the limitations on speech imposed by societal norms.
What's acceptable to be called
Discussing societal expectations regarding what is deemed acceptable for women.
In the woman's boat
Introducing the metaphor of the "woman's boat" as a symbol of the female experience.
On the woman's sea
Extending the metaphor to the "woman's sea," suggesting the broader context of the female journey.
They are calling us
Indicating a call to action for women to embark on a collective journey.
They are calling us to sea
Reiterating the call to set sail into uncharted territories.
And yes, I have my worries
Expressing concerns about the state of the human race.
About the human race
Linking personal worries to broader concerns about humanity.
You see my breasts are aching
Symbolizing physical discomfort, possibly related to nurturing or childbirth.
And I hope it's not too late
Expressing a hope for positive change despite personal discomfort.
For the woman's boat
Revisiting the metaphor of the "woman's boat" and its significance.
On the woman's sea
Continuing the metaphor, emphasizing the collective nature of the female journey.
They are calling us and they're calling me
Stressing the urgency of the call to action for all women.
How the seasons change
Reflecting on the cyclical nature of seasons and life changes.
They rock and they rage
Describing the dynamic and unpredictable nature of seasonal transitions.
Will I please allow the thunder
Poetically addressing the acceptance of natural forces, including thunder and the concept of birth.
And the birth inside of me
Alluding to the internal growth and development within the speaker.
Now do you believe in powers
Posing a question about belief in various powers, possibly referring to the divine and procreation.
Like the human and the seed
Exploring the connection between human and natural processes, including reproduction.
And how evolution happens
Contemplating the mechanisms of evolution and change.
How the whirlpool spins in me
Using the metaphor of a whirlpool to describe internal and external transformations.
Oh grandmother tell us your secrets
Invoking the wisdom of a grandmother figure and the passing down of ancestral knowledge.
Your stories passed down through the years
Referring to the transmission of stories through generations.
Could I really believe it?
Raising questions about the credibility of the shared wisdom and knowledge.
Is there something happening here?
Expressing uncertainty about the current state of affairs and potential hidden meanings.
In the woman's boat
Reiterating the metaphor of the "woman's boat" and the ongoing journey.
On the woman's sea
Continuing to explore the hidden aspects of the female experience.
Is there something hidden
Posing a question about undisclosed or concealed elements within the journey.
Something to see
Urging contemplation of hidden meanings or truths within the female journey.
Oh the seasons change
Revisiting the theme of changing seasons and the accompanying challenges.
They're rocky and they rage
Emphasizing the tumultuous nature of life's transformations.
Will I please allow the thunder
Reiterating the need to accept and navigate through life's challenges, represented by thunder and birth.
And the birth inside of me
Concluding with a poetic reflection on the ongoing process of internal and external birth.
Comment