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Swing Tree Lyrics

(Rostam) If I was a boy at sea
I would be swinging from a broken tree
I would be down on my back looking up at stars at night
and if I could get back to reach to reach the saltiest of evergreens
You know that I would turn back just to fight the whites of iron eyes

When I hear that wind and I think of Spring
Underneath an open window a carved out sign and
often I would fight with my mind

(Wes) Saltwater brine where you hung your crown
When you washed your eyes in last night's tea
I thought you might come out from the dream to find that

(Rostam) Underneath the pine grew a patch of thyme
that I burned for six days in the sun
'til I heard the distant sound of drums

(Wes) Oh the queen had come and the King had died
and my forehead burned but I closed my eyes
and my forehead burned but I closed my eyes

((Rostam) Before I go I've got to run, down the street to the market cove where I could
find six seeds to bring back to the yard and plant underneath the birch tree
No white skies or red sunlight
In the saltwater brine
My forehead burned but I closed my eyes)

Whoa. Now you've got to go.

If I was a boy...
12 Meanings

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Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

There is something so sexy about the chorus -- smooth, hopeful, playful, elementally pleasing to the senses. An added bonus to what is by far one of the best songs composed on this album. Discovery is, no doubt, the product of genius. To Wes Miles and Rostam Batmanglij: Respect.

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

I always thought it was "when you washed your eyes in last night's tears." Regardless, I love this song!

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

this song is about being a boy. a young one. no deeper meaning than enjoying your own thought as a boy, which is lovely.

I think it's about a soldier stranded somewhere.

There seems to be some military imagery in this song: 'You know that I would turn back just to fight the whites of iron eyes' ''til I heard the distant sound of drums Oh the queen had come and the King had died'

Which suggests to me a soldier possibly in the navy 'a boy at sea'.

'Underneath the pine grew a patch of thyme that I burned for six days in the sun 'til I heard the distant sound of drums'

My interpretation was that the patch of Thyme was grown...

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

this is possibly my favorite song on the track. the imagery this song offers is amazing.

song on the album***

song on the album***

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

I always thought it was "when you washed your eyes in last night's tears." Regardless, I love this song!

In many cultures in Europe and Asia it is a common practice to use leftover cold tea-soaked cottonballs or cloth and apply it to the eyes for 5 or so minutes to reduce swelling and help fight infections, like to reduce puffyness when you wake up or if you have pink eye or a sty!

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

I heard this earlier this Summer on XM and fell in love with it! It sounds so different than anything out there and definitely puts you in another state of mind. <3

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

I love that this song has an almost calypso-ish undertone. It just makes it so dancey :]

Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

it's almost like looking into some really upbeat no-worry-world, then they leave too soon... just a glimpse.

great song.

My Opinion
Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

What does "I would turn back just to fight the whites of iron eyes" mean? ... and what are salty evergreeens?

actually, the more i think of it the more I think I dont get most of this song at all, is he singing about different dreams he is having... or memories? why does his forehead burn?

Song Meaning
Cover art for Swing Tree lyrics by Discovery

What does "I would turn back just to fight the whites of iron eyes" mean? ... and what are salty evergreeens?

actually, the more i think of it the more I think I dont get most of this song at all, is he singing about different dreams he is having... or memories? why does his forehead burn?

Song Meaning
 
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