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Your Only Doll (Dora) Lyrics

I fell into the street, poison in my veins
Clamber to my feet and into the night again
Back to my home, back to my owner
Who screams at my tardiness
Put his hands to the sky

And says, what can I do with a girl
If she refuses to be mine?

In his bed I am queen, unobtainable me
Sexual being, human with feelings
The two are not me
The two will not be mine

And what can you do with a girl
If she refuses to be mine?

Put his hand on my shirt
Hand on my face
Head to the wall
When you've broken your only doll

And what will you do with a girl
If she refuses to be alive?

And you've broken your only doll
And what will you do with a girl
If she's refusing to be alive?

there's a house across the river
But alas I cannot swim
And a garden of such beauty
That the flower seem to grin

there's a house across the river
But alas I cannot swim
I live my life regretting
That I never jumped in

there's a boy across the river
With short black curly hair
He wants to be my lover
And I want to be his peer

there's a boy across the river
But alas I cannot swim
Now I never will get to put
My arms around him

There's a life across the river
That was meant for me
Instead I live my life in constant misery

There's a life across the river
But I do not see
Why I should please those
Who will never be pleased

There is gold across the river
But I don't want none
There is gold across the river
But I don't want none

Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle
Gold is fun
Gold is fleeting, gold is fickle
Gold is fun

There is gold across the river
But I don't want none
I would rather be tried
Than held up by a golden gun

Saying work more, earn more
Live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more
Live more, have more fun
Saying work more, earn more
Live more, have more fun
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Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

This is after the posted lyrics in the song:

There's a house across the river But alas I cannot swim and a garden full of beauty That the flowers seem to grin

There's a house across the river But alas I cannot swim I live my life regretting That I never jumped in

There's a boy across the river With short black curly hair He wants me to be his lover and I want to be his peer

There's a boy across the river But alas I cannot swim Now I will never get to put My arms around him

There's a life across the river That was meant for me Instead I live my life in constant misery

There's a life across the river But I do not see Why I should please those Who will never be pleased

There is gold across the river But I don't want none There is gold across the river But I don't want none

Gold is fleeting, gold is fickly Gold is fun Gold is fickle, gold is fleeting Gold is fun

There is gold across the river But I don't want none I would rather be tried Than held up by a golden gun

Saying work more, earn more Live more, have more fun Saying work more, earn more Live more, have more fun Saying work more, earn more Live more, have more fun

Lyric Correction
Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

I would agree with the comments about the abusive relationship. I took it to mean that it's an abusive relationship and the drugs / alcohol ('poison in my veins') is her coping mechanism to deal with it. Of course, stumbling in late at night only serves to exacerbate the situation, eventually leader to her death by his hand.

I find the second verse particularly interesting though. It's as if his bed is the only place where she has any power in the relationship. 'In his bed I am queen, unobtainable me' suggests that she won't let him have what he wants. The next lines (Sexual being, human with feelings, the two are not me, the two will not be mine) suggest to me that she doesn't feel she can ever become these things with him. The last line is almost saying that she doesn't feel in control of herself - perhaps to the point that she does not have the control or the confidence to leave the abusive relationship?

Either way, this is just what I took from this amazing song. I think it's both beautiful and immensely sad at the same time. Very moving whichever way you look at it.

My thoughts exactly!

Not Valid
Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

It seems to me like this song is about an abusive relationship. He sees this girl as his "doll," thinks of himself as her "owner." The slightly scary part is that she sees him the same way.

In the end, I think he kills her by hitting her head against a wall. At least, that's what it sounds like to me.

Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

To me it suggests something to do with drugs or alcohol 'I fell into the street Poison in my veins'. And the boys saying she refuses to be loved. She's 'refusing to be alive', destroying herself. But I'm not sure about 'broken your only doll' whether it means he drove her too it, or her apathy and destructive behaviour has lead him to violence.

Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

I think it's not about an abusive relationship at all. I think the girl is on drugs (poison in my veins, clamber to my feet) and the man is trying to save her. To get her off the drugs. And he snaps one day and trys to shake her out of it (head to the wall) and he kills her. that's just what i get from it.

Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

the 2nd verse suggests that despite how he treats her, he's still loving in bed? but i'm still not completely sure.

Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

It's a reference to Ibeson's drama Doll House. Dora, the main character, is undermined in her marriage. She is a little play toy for her husband while she really sacrifices a lot to save his life. When she compromises his appearance to society, he flips, and she realizes that she has not a wife to him, but a possession.

Look it up. :)

I like the idea, maybe you're right, but the character's name's Nora, not Dora I'm afraid.

Not Valid
Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

I see that you been me with the <i>A Doll's House</i> reference. I think this song really captures the feelings at the end of the play.

beat*, not been. Grr.

Not Valid
Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

i love the line, "and what will you do with a girl if she's refusing to be alive?" it sort of relates to the first half of the song, "when you've broken your only doll" i think it's hinting that she's tried to kill herself before, "poison in my veins, clamber to my feet", to get out of the abusive relationship. very sad.

My Opinion
Cover art for Your Only Doll (Dora) lyrics by Laura Marling

does anyone know the lyrics at the end of this song?