Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the cicadas sing
"The trees are all bending
In one direction
Because of something"
Cross-pollination by the legs of bees in the spring
Is a beautiful thing
Oh when the sun goes down
The fireflies come out
In a pond crept a slimy thing
That hummed a theme from the Rites of Spring
Pity the mate of Queen Mantis
So content, but so headless
Katy did nothing but shiver and cry
As did the dragonfly
In the shade the gypsies spin
Among the cloves, they drop their skin
"Beyond the hedge grove
Over by the willows
Deep in the shadows"
Regeneration occurs at a furious speed
Beneath the white oak tree
And when the sun comes up
Moon buds fold up
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the Rites of Spring
Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
"Ain't ever seen it, but I have heard it
Sounds like the millstones when they are turning
But every moment getting louder and louder
And then there is silence
And the smell of flowers"
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the cicadas sing
"The trees are all bending
In one direction
Because of something"
Cross-pollination by the legs of bees in the spring
Is a beautiful thing
Oh when the sun goes down
The fireflies come out
In a pond crept a slimy thing
That hummed a theme from the Rites of Spring
Pity the mate of Queen Mantis
So content, but so headless
Katy did nothing but shiver and cry
As did the dragonfly
In the shade the gypsies spin
Among the cloves, they drop their skin
"Beyond the hedge grove
Over by the willows
Deep in the shadows"
Regeneration occurs at a furious speed
Beneath the white oak tree
And when the sun comes up
Moon buds fold up
In the sun she warmed her wings
And listened to the Rites of Spring
Could've been a swan on a glassy lake
Could've been a gull in a clipper's wake
Could've been a ladybug on a wind chime
But she was born a dragonfly
"Ain't ever seen it, but I have heard it
Sounds like the millstones when they are turning
But every moment getting louder and louder
And then there is silence
And the smell of flowers"
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This is also the primary reason that I love this song!
"Written at the same period of time, and I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I'd moved from a very homogenized suburban setting into a very rural setting. I found it quite magical in places, and was intrigued by sort of the occult magic that happens in nature. That's the genesis of those lyrics"
although i don't know what it really means. maybe its implying that a dragonfly is a rebellious insect.
"Katy did nothing but shiver and cry,
As did the dragonfly. "
A "katydid" is a type of insect. If you look at one on a branch, or in your hand, it shivers. It also makes a squeaking cry. I'm willing to bet the song has nothing to do with anorexics.
Sometimes lyrics are that simple. However, the beauty of art (any form) is that it is open to everyone's own interpretation. Your experiences, life, education etc. will all alter your interpretation, and in the end I suppose an artist just hopes you enjoy their work ... and take from it what you will.
Great song, love the interlude too.