Santa Clara

The National

I don't worry anymore, nothing like I did before
I don't worry, I just watch them rolling back
I don't worry anymore

'Cause it's alright, alright to see a ghost
And I wanna see 'em go down in the river where they go
And I wanna see 'em rolling, rolling back
And I wanna see 'em go
'Cause it's alright, alright to see a ghost

I'm gonna run to the river, kiss my hand and wave
I'm gonna run to the river, gonna throw a blue bouquet
'Cause they're gonna be cool, happy, genius heroes
I'm gonna miss 'em so much

I will settle in and dream of a slow and funny scene
I will settle in and watch 'em rolling by
I will settle in and dream

'Cause it's alright, alright to see a ghost
And I wanna see 'em go down in the river where they go
And I wanna see 'em rolling, rolling by

I'm gonna run to the river, kiss my hand and wave
Gonna run to the river, gonna throw a blue bouquet
'Cause they're gonna be cool, happy, genius heroes
I'm gonna miss them so much

I'm gonna run to the river, kiss my hand and wave
I'm gonna run to the river, gonna send 'em on their way
'Cause they're gonna be cool, happy, genius heroes
I'm gonna miss them so much
Yeah, they're gonna be cool, happy, genius heroes
I'm gonna miss 'em so much


Lyrics submitted by kirbsta

Santa Clara Lyrics as written by Matthew D. Berninger Aaron B. Dessner

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Santa Clara song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +2
    Song Meaning
    It’s powerful deep loss of someone real close. “It’s alright to see your ghost” : like how you see someone in crowds for years after they die and how that’s so upsetting at first. But after decades its okay to see the ghost and you want to follow them for a little while it’s just so nice to see them again. “I want to see them rolling rolling by” . “And they’re gonna be cool happy genius heroes” because at some point you forget anything bad about the person you lost and they become untouchable and holy in your memory. They stay young and perfect forever while you go on and get beat up and old. “Gonna throw a blue bouquet”: blue flowers symbolize never ending love.
    Mauion January 06, 2018   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    this is my favorite song on the 'boxer' album. i can't get it out of my head. i think it's about all the people he's known and loved over the years, and how the moments he's shared with them have long passed but he still feels their presence.
    greenbrenanaon June 26, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Isn't it, "kiss my hand and wave" rather than "kiss my hand and wait."? Idk, maybe that's just what I hear, but it does seem to make more sense...
    mandmon August 17, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think it's about watching your kids grow up ("gonna send 'em on their way/cuz they're gonna be/cool happy genius heroes/I'm gonna miss 'em so much")
    petewilletton June 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Santa Clara is a city in Cuba, fairly close to the tip of Florida. Maybe the song is loosely about people illegally leaving Cuba for Florida and the families saying goodbye.
    mollymonticelloon March 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    you're probably listening another record.. 'cause santa clara is on the mistaken for strangers single. amazing song btw."'Cause they're gonna be cool happy genius heroes" fv.line
    holybubleon September 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this is my favorite song off of Boxer, i love the chorus and the instrumentation. Btw Santa Clara is a bonus track on the itunes version of 'Boxer' as well.
    frontman17on December 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Based on the name, I feel like this song is about Sarah Lockwood Winchester, famous for her crazy house in San Jose (and very close to the adjacent city of Santa Clara), reverence for the spirit world, and general eccentricity. She always believed that there was a curse on her family from the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles.
    bocmaximaon December 07, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation
    I like to think this song is about jeff buckley, no particular reason, just my whim :D
    ammieon December 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    agree with greenbrenana - can't get the bass/drum beat out of my head. the lyrics? they seem to be in the same vein as other National lyrics - mysterious...
    pisheron August 03, 2012   Link

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