From one moment to the next
Reading in the papers to know what's best
Sometimes you don't know yourself
Eating lots of vitamins for your health
From one moment to the next
Red negativity in the street
Maybe it's the dirt, maybe it's the heat
A baby on the bus might have needs so easy

Now I think it's alright we're together
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's the best you've ever played it
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's alright to feel inhuman
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's alright to sing together
Now I think that's alright yeah

A running child's bloody with burning knees
A kid that stabs mommy flew in the trees
A camping child's happy with winter's freeze
A lucky child don't know how lucky she is

From one moment to the next
A thousand wasted bookmarkers all depressed
The ins and outs of something's chest
He'll only be a friend if he touches your breast
From one moment to the next
Shifting in the plates of what you ingest
From sugar teas to honey best
Bulimic vegetarian wins a contest

Now I think it's alright we're together
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's the best we've ever played it
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's alright to feel inhuman
Now I think that's alright yeah
Now I think it's alright to sing together
Now I think that's alright yeah

A running child's bloody with burning knees
A kid that stabs mommy flew in the trees
A camping child's happy with winter's freeze
A lucky child don't know how lucky he is

For Reverend Green


Lyrics submitted by Jack_Strife, edited by trystt, Smxxch, Mellow_Harsher

For Reverend Green Lyrics as written by David Michael Portner Brian Ross Weitz

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

For Reverend Green song meanings
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  • +6
    General Comment

    I think this song is to stay for ever in green, or to always remain young.

    "A running child's bloody with burning knees A careless child's money flew in the trees A camping child's happy with winter's freeze A lucky child don't know how lucky she is"

    the bliss life of being young even when you get hurt, loose your money, and so on

    "From one moment to a next A thousand wasted Brooklyners all depressed The ins and outs of supper's chest He'll only be a friend if he touches your breast From one moment to a next A shifting in the plates of what you ingest From sugared tits to honeyed pests Bulimic vegetarian wins weight contest"

    this is more about all the hangups of being an adult, we all know what this is about, life sucks, but the song is not a depressing song it's a song of trying to remain/stay "for ever in green" for every young!

    and then Avey sings about the band and how they can stay "for ever in green"

    Now I think it's all right we're together Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's the best he ever played it Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's all right to feel inhuman Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's all right, we'll sing together Now I think that's a riot

    To sum it up, life is awesome and kids don't know how lucky they have it!

    cujoocujoon August 24, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    First, someone should really change the listed version as the lyrics are terribly, horribly wrong (refer to the correct ones on page 2). Secondly, I don't think there is much of a case for this song being about money in a broader sense, save for the reference to a child's dollar, and the arbitrary 'Reverend Green', which presumably refers to Al Green (has AC ever needed a reason for anything?).

    A running child's bloody with burning knees A careless childs money flew in the trees A camping child's happy with winter's freeze A lucky child don't know how lucky he is

    The running child runs because the joy of running supersedes the hurt of bloody knees; A careless child's money flies in the trees because the child isn't consumed with protecting it, because it's only a piece of paper, because while it might be upsetting for a second, the child has some innate understanding that the man-made things we buy are only worth a meager little piece of man-made paper which could just as easily burn, tear, dissolve, or disappear into a tree (unlike joy, creativity, family, etc.); A winter's freeze doesn't bother a child who is simply happy to be outside in the elements, free of disappointment and expectations (an adult would curse the Gods for ruining their rare leisure time); Kids are lucky simply for not realizing how lucky they are, a baby smiles easily (and cries just as easily) because babies live in the moment and aren't weighted down by anxiety and bullshit of tainted adult souls (at least not yet). The chorus/refrain represents relief from the anxiety of adult-life and celebrates the simplicity of singing a song, playing music with friends, breaking from the morbidity of life to live in the present and take things as they come, like a child (sometimes we don't feel human; it's not a disorder, it's the natural reaction of a sensitive being to our modern insensitive state of being). At least two members (Avey and Panda) are new parents, which explains quite a bit of this album and this song in particular. They've probably been reminded, through interaction with their children, how simple and innocent life should be, and how much joy we can find in those basic elements we cannot change, as long as we maintain the right perspective: good-humour, patience, curiosity, unbridled enthusiasm for what we love, etc. Most likely the song is about losing your childlike innocence and growing older into the disappointments and drudgery of adult life. But it's a celebration of the simple things. To get biblical, those who enter Heaven are the ones who have the faith of a child: that things will work out, that they aren't as bad as our world makes them seem. And truly, considering the world we live in, this is a pretty wise observation. To transcend the bullshit we have to find a way to live outside of it, like children, like artists, like pure human beings.

    WhiteTideon December 29, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    First of all, i beleive the phrase, "For Reverend Green" is a mondegreen. A mondegreen is a mishearing of a word, and was coined by Sylvia Wright writing about a phrase she misheard in a story as a child. When her mother read her a story she thought she was saying "And lady mondegreen". When the real line was "And laid him on the green" This seems to be the same but in reverse. Their saying "For Reverend Green", but we hear "Forever in green", and they are doing this to us on purpose. Its possible that they got the idea from sylvia wright, as lady mondegreen and reverend green are obviously similar. I believe "forever in green" means to stay young at heart, the "springtime" of your life.

    The song is about growing up and losing your sense of self, and the overall positive nature of a child. From here i'll break down each phrase and what i think it means.

    From one moment to a next Reading in the papers to know what's best Sometimes you don't know yourself Eating loads of vitamins for your health

    This part is fairly obvious. Your trusting the news instead of using your own judgement, this is bad especially now with lots of sensationalism and violence in the news. Eating loads of vitamins for your health i think is about worrying too much about your health. this first part of the verse is mainly about fear caused by daily adult life and losing your sense of self to possibly untrustworthy outside influences.

    From one moment to a next Red negativity in the street Maybe it's the earth, maybe it's the heat A baby on the bus smiled at me so easy

    This part is about the human condition and what is causing it. Red (anger) negativity. What is causing it? Is it something in the soil thats making us angry. Is it because its so hot. It can't be those things, because the baby is exposed to them, and all you have to do is look at it and it will smile at you.

    Now I think it's alright we're together Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's the best you've ever played it Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's alright to feel inhuman Now I think that's a riot Now I think it's alright, we'll sing together Now I think that's a riot

    This is animal collective comforting us and telling us (human race) to get along and enjoy life. Its alright that we are all here together, its okay to feel inhuman, lets all sing and play and enjoy our lives. This is a riot, life is, lets enjoy it. Lets compliment each other and smile at each other, and connect with the people we meet.

    A running child's bloody with burning knees A careless child's money flew in the trees A camping child's happy with winter's freeze A lucky child don't know how lucky she is

    This part of the song contrasts the attitude of children with the attitude of adults. I really love the imagery especially in the first two lines. Who didn't run around as a child with holes in their jeans and skinned knees. The next line i take as the way children love snow. They make snowmen and snow angels and go sledding, we look at it as another thing to deal with on our way to work (careless child) besides just getting worn out with the work itself (running child).

    The last line is about the child who doesn't need to worry about money, they still don't look down on others or think they are better. They don't realize how lucky they are and live in the same manner as the other children

    From one moment to a next A thousand wasted Brooklyners all depressed The ins and outs of supper's chest He'll only be a friend if he touches your breast

    The meaning of the "from one moment to the next" parts of the song are obvious. here are the mistakes and diffficulties we adults have to deal with every day. This is where we keep going wrong. The brooklyners depressed is pretty straightforward here.

    The next part i'm not sure on. The best i can figure, its about objectifying women, or "treating them like pieces of meat (supper)", which does go along with the next line about only being a friend if he touchers your chest. I'm still not sure about that one though.

    From one moment to a next A shifting in the plates of what you ingest From sugared tits to honeyed pests Bulimic vegetarian wins weight contest

    This ones a little difficult as well. Its a "from one moment to the next" line so we know we are going to hear about what we are doing wrong. here it is clearly about diet, as well as possibly our image. Still i find it a bit unclear in specific meaning.

    This is the last part i will cover as i already explained the "for reverend green" bit, and everything else is a repeat. Also pay attention to how the lines "for reverend green" sound at the end. It clearly, and as i explained purposefuly, sounds like forever in green.

    Also note that when you break down the "from one moment to the next" lines, you get a good summary of the core things we all worry about.

    Things beyond our control that could affect us (news) Our health (vitamins) How other people treat us (negativity/baby on bus) Sex/Relationships (touches breast) Food/Dieting/Our Image (bulimic vegetarian)

    Think about how much time you've spent worrying about those things. The only thing not really mentioned it money, although obviously it is in contrasted form with the careless child.

    I hope everyone who reads this and/or hears this song can take the meaning to heart, and connect with others, love life, and live forever in green.

    liquidus4on August 28, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The growly voice in the beginning says "Whether or not you believe it, you are listening to true recordings of bigfoot creatures in their natural environment. We know these are naturally-- "

    Arthur Curryon August 30, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    also... Reverend Green - Cluedo, classic detective game created by the Parker Brothers

    alabee23on September 14, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    the line is "a thousand wasted brooklyners all depressed". animal collective is from brooklyn but recently relocated to their original home of baltimore. thus, there are a number anti-NYC lines on this record.

    impacton August 31, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    could be about being unhappy and seeking comfort in the solace of getting high

    sean1058on September 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Seriously, this song makes me feel like everything is okay. It's okay that I am like I am, and it's okay that sometimes I get sad, and it's okay and my goooddddddd I love this band.

    blueoftheskyon September 11, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Do you suppose it's a reference to the great soul singer, Reverend Al Green?

    kellyelephanton September 13, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i definitely love to scream along with him at the end "For reverend green" about the "rubbing me..." no, it's just cause he's losing his fucking mind singing. try it. you will too.

    alabee23on September 14, 2007   Link

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