The rain it started tappin'
On the window near my bed
There was a loophole in my dreamin'
So I got out of it
And to my surprise my eyes were wide and already open
Just my nightstand and my dresser
Where those nightmares had just been

So I dressed myself and left then
Out into the gray streets
But everything seemed different
And completely new to me
The sky the trees, houses, buildings, even my own body
And each person I encountered
I couldn't wait to meet

And I came upon a doctor
Who appeared in quite poor health
I said there's nothing that I can do for you you can't do for yourself
He said oh yes you can, just hold my hand, I think that that would help
So I sat with him awhile
Then I asked him how he felt

He said I think I'm cured
No, in fact, I'm sure of it
Thank you, stranger
For your therapeutic smile

So that's how I learned the lesson
That everyone's alone
And your eyes must do some raining
If you're ever gonna grow
And when crying don't help
You can't compose yourself
It's best to compose a poem
An honest verse of longing
Or a simple song of hope

That's why I'm singing baby don't worry
'Cause now I got your back
And every time you feel like crying
I'm gonna try and make you laugh
And if I can't
If it just hurts too bad
Then we'll wait for it to pass
And I will keep you company for those days so long and black

And we'll keep working on the problem
We know we'll never solve
Of love's uneven remainders
Our lives are fractions of a whole
But if the world could remain within a frame
Like a painting on a wall
Then I think we'd see the beauty then
We'd stand staring in awe

At our still lives posed
Like a bowl of oranges
Like a story told
By the fault-lines and the soil


Lyrics submitted by firefly716

Bowl of Oranges Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst

Lyrics © Takwene LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Bowl of Oranges song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is great, one of my favorites on lifted. I have to disagree with all of you though, the melody might be really uplifting but just look at the lyrics. It's not a happy song at all. "We'll keep working on the problems we know we'll never solve Of love's uneven remainders our lives are fractions of a whole. But if the world could remain within a frame like a painting on a wall then i think we'd see the beauty then.." The last verse is like a summation of the entire song, he talks about being happy and bouncy up until that point, but he realizes all of that's just a painting on the wall. He talks about how things are only beautiful in still lives, things that don't move and don't change.

    The up beat melody and the lyrics up until the last verse seem almost sarcastic to me, but then maybe i'm just being cynical. In my opinion the song's not any happier than any other bright eyes songs. Still wonderful though.

    Fadingreflectionon March 14, 2003   Link

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