4 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
How to Grow a Woman from the Ground Lyrics
I caught a string full of fish down by the dam
I'll drag them back to the field, they should be dead by then
Wipe the sweat off my neck and tally ho the plow
I'm gonna grow a woman from the ground
The night was a chalkboard with a fingernail moon
If the fish ain't dead yet, well they will be pretty soon
It's kinda like the feeling at an old folks home
Even though you love them you can't wait for them to go
I'll call her Angelina; she's a teacher I once had
A halo of honey wrapped around her head
And she always used to give me some when I was a kid
I told her that I loved her and then I went and hid
I'll take you into town and I will show you off
And there's room on your dress for a corsage
And I'll open up every door for you
I opened up my almanac and in my mind I read
"Cut your wrists on the fins of the fish and drain all you can"
So I rolled up my sleeves and then began to draw
Lines just as deep as the days are long
I sewed up my wrists and sowed the ground with my blood
Stained up my clothes pretty good and I turned that dirt to mud
I could not help but close my eyes and lay my body down
'Cause I heard it takes forever to grow a woman from the ground
I bleed for you now and I'm skinny as a rail
And I'll be so obliged to keep you nice and warm and safe
Oh and won't you be so proud of me
I'll drag them back to the field, they should be dead by then
Wipe the sweat off my neck and tally ho the plow
I'm gonna grow a woman from the ground
If the fish ain't dead yet, well they will be pretty soon
It's kinda like the feeling at an old folks home
Even though you love them you can't wait for them to go
A halo of honey wrapped around her head
And she always used to give me some when I was a kid
I told her that I loved her and then I went and hid
And there's room on your dress for a corsage
And I'll open up every door for you
"Cut your wrists on the fins of the fish and drain all you can"
So I rolled up my sleeves and then began to draw
Lines just as deep as the days are long
Stained up my clothes pretty good and I turned that dirt to mud
I could not help but close my eyes and lay my body down
'Cause I heard it takes forever to grow a woman from the ground
And I'll be so obliged to keep you nice and warm and safe
Oh and won't you be so proud of me
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
"the night was a chalkboard with a fingernail moon" the line is kind of hard to make out on the album but after hearing it live thats what it says. This song was written by a friend of his and inspired by a dream i believe.
This song is a cover of a friend of Chris Thile, Tom Brosseau's song. Tom is said to have dreamt the whole story. Thile's version blows away the original.
The cow jumped over the moon. Little miss muffit sat on a tuffet. Jack jumped over a candlestick. THOSE I understand. This one I do not. And apparently bozo #1, #2, and #3 above don't either 'cause they didn't bother 'splainin' it. Good try, but no cigar. So what did you wish for me to see....'cause I simply don't get it.
Wow, I can't believe no one left a thorough comment on here yet! I first heard this song when I was driving, listening to NPR. I almost had to pull over because I was crying.
My meaning: He's a very hard worker, and wants loves from a woman. He almost needs to create one that will love him as much as she would love him.
He tried to make a love for himself like "God" created man. He sowed the ground with blood, and turned the dirt to mud. It exhausted him.
He is so proud of his love, that he wants to show her off to the whole world.
He's bled for her, he's starved for her, he's worked so hard for her.
"And I bleed for you, and I'm skinny as a rail."
"I'll be so obliged to keep you nice and warm and safe... And won't you be so proud of me?"
That's what we all want after all-- to be loved, honored, warm and safe.