| Iron & Wine – Boy with a Coin Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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The overall tone of the lyrics contrast with the beat. The lyrics of the song are, overall, omniscient. While the rhythm of the song is upbeat. Sam juxtaposes two polar opposites to create an irony within this song, like he has with several others. The imagery of a boy finding a coin, you automatically a picture a small child with a lit-up face. The boy holds a kind of pride when he finds this coin. The fact that he found this coin in weeds, is another contrast. You feel happiness for this boy with his coin and the image of weeds keeps it to a point of realism. He's not surrounded by flowers and a field of grass; he's surrounded by weeds. These lyrics are not buttered up for the viewer to portray a perfect world. Further mentioning of bullets and trade magazines, brings you down to Earth. Then a car flips. It's almost as if his pride and happiness is taken away by this tragic accident. Almost like someone's fortune leads to someone else's misfortune. You feel for this boy. By the end of the song, you've experienced catharsis. You purge your sadness and happiness all at once through these simple, picturesque words. The image of God leaving the ground to circle the Earth is a little unnerving to me. But it seems as if God is leaving because, in the greater scheme of things, he has better business to attend to. Same with the girl. I see the lyrics of "flew up her gown" as a hint at rape. When she starts crying, God leaves once again. It's as if he gives her the gift of sight, but leaves her when she knows what happened to her. I think it's a song unlike any other. God leaves when both people come along realization. He leaves them to fend on their own. It's a song about independence, freedom of thought, it hints at fate, and gives idealistic and realistic imagery all rolled into one. Sam's simple words add up to great meaning. It's not a religious song. I think it speaks of independence on a more high note, rather than pertaining to any religious reference. |
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