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Bitter Tea Lyrics

I've got a special category business
down by the Multifunctional Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Rollerblade Rink--
down by the Home of Bitter Tea.
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

I've seen you slinking off of snake alley.
Why not come up through the hall of butterflies
and past Lane 170
into our Dragon Protector Layout
and try some bitter tea?
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

On the 13th day of the 5th lunar month
Outside a hot spring bath
the old banyan tree looked down on me

Aren't you curious?
Aren't you curious?
A little curious,
about what the osmanthus blossoms taste like?

I think you're curious-
yes, you're curious-
a little curious
about what the osmanthus blossoms taste like
with a cup of bitter tea.
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

On the 13th day of the 5th lunar month
Outside a hot spring bath
the old banyan tree looked down on me

I am a crazy crane;
I lost my true love in the rain
I am a crazy crane;
I lost my true love in the rain
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9 Meanings

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Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

actually, in response to "Where does she get this stuff?!!!!!?" it should be noted that matthew (eleanor's brother and fiery furnaces bandmate) writes the majority of the lyrics, from what I've heard.

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

The lyrics are about hanging out in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a large park that locals use for rollerblading, small group dance practice, tai chi, yoga, jogging, whatever, hence the Multi-Functional. It is located in a bustling office district, hence the special category business.

Bitter tea is a special Taiwanese brew of tea that is good for people who stay up late drinking and smoking cigarettes too often. Snake Alley is a touristy spot where you can watch a live snake flaying and then drink the various vital fluids of snake for the betterment of your chi.

Traditional Taiwanese/Chinese culture uses a Lunar calendar. Hot springs bathing is a favorite pastime in Taiwan, and banyan trees fill the cities and parks. Osmanthus blossoms are a common ingredient in local cooking.

In response to Where does she get this stuff?!! the particular answer for this song here is Taiwan, the general answer for this LP seems to be travel.

My Interpretation

@lazarussleptin Notice too that the instrumental/ electronic part of the song is using Chinese scales (pentatonic?).

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

The best song off of Bitter Tea and quite possibly my favorite Fiery Furnaces song. I don't believe that FF lyrics are meant to be interpreted critically. They are meaningful as they stand.

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

i absolutely LOVE this song the beginning gets me all happy and excited and its just so wonderful! rock rock on the fiery furnaces

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

This song is amazing. It makes me want to dance around! So insane, and wonderful.

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

so tea made from the stems of marijuana bitter... just for your information :)

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

The crazy crane line is the best

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

Where does she get this stuff?!!!!!?

Cover art for Bitter Tea lyrics by Fiery Furnaces, The

The lyrics are about hanging out in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a large park that locals use for rollerblading, small group dance practice, tai chi, yoga, jogging, whatever, hence the Multi-Functional. It is located in a bustling office district, hence the special category business.

Bitter tea is a special Taiwanese brew of tea that is good for people who stay up late drinking and smoking cigarettes too often. Snake Alley is a touristy spot where you can watch a live snake flaying and then drink the various vital fluids of snake for the betterment of your chi.

Traditional Taiwanese/Chinese culture uses a Lunar calendar. Hot springs bathing is a favorite pastime in Taiwan, and banyan trees fill the cities and parks. Osmanthus blossoms are a common ingredient in local cooking.

In response to Where does she get this stuff?!! the particular answer for this song here is Taiwan, the general answer for this LP seems to be travel.

My Interpretation