Farmer Chords

Ben Gibbard

I can't begin to compete with you
and everyone knows
I know you know it, too.
It's a complicated fear
that grows with every year
and it's walking on it's own, finally
All I can offer are farmer chords,
these simple rhymes and you painted in words
You can sing this when alone
or whistle it through your teeth
and it will feel like home
no matter how far you'll be
from my lonely arms outstretched
just beyond your reach
singing "ooh, baby, please..."


Lyrics submitted by zouyan

Farmer Chords song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentI'm pretty sure it's "These simple lines and you painted in words."

    This is because lines has a double meaning. The song is "Farmer Chords" which overall gives me an impression of a farm, like a painting. Often times a farm is laid out with lines of crops. Yet this is a metaphor for the ideal home that the singer's lover is away from. It also goes along with the song, the message, that the singer has given his lover so they'll remember each other while she is away. He has given her "lines" and "words" to think about when she's lonely.

    There is another way to interpret this song, too. The lover has gone away, and has been away for a long time, but the singer can't accept it, so he writes her a song to remember him by. He still believes that she is truly home when she is with him, so he invites her back "home" whenever she sings the song.
    musicforlife!on May 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is such a pretty song.
    fireplaceon November 07, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt seems like a song about being left behind.
    sethbrownon December 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commenthis songs are so sad but pretty. does his songs make me sad? or am i already sad and that's why i like his songs? "you say i choose sadness, that it never once has chosen me..."
    drowningnoahon August 08, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI don't know... I do find his songs somewhat sad, but more comforting than anything else.
    musicforlife!on September 15, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentone of my favorite songs, im amazed its not more popular
    colin06on May 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think this song means that the person is no longer there and he doesn't have much to offer to her anymore and as time goes he's getting worried if they will lose touch. "It's a complicated fear
    that grows with every year" And no matter where she will be, he'll be waiting for her. "no matter how far you'll be from my lonely arms outstretched"
    Ulingon October 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwow shout out to drowningnoah for that rilo kiley lyric...(the good that won't come out). All of ben's songs on this cd make me feel almost nostalgic and they make me want to live a very simple confortable life...its very folky, i like this side of ben. It is very jenny lewis-rabbit fur coat...I think.
    redmondmegnealon February 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is divine.
    especially on repeat..
    simple and stunning.

    'i can't begin to compete with you,
    and everyone knows, i know you know it too.'

    that gets me.. for some reason.
    -Amz-on February 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentFarmer chords is a term for a kind of basic guitar chords. I think he is saying he cant compete but all he has to offer is the simplicity of these simple lines with simple chords. it makes me feel good to hear it.
    pah5446on July 07, 2007   Link

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