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Turn the Dirt Over Lyrics
Come closer to the window-frame
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
You left your brother in a northern town
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
Oh, turn the water over
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Come softly to the window frame
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
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Alex wrote this song after he lost his brother in a fire (he was a firefighter). That is what he said influenced this song. He is also referring to himself in the lyric "you left your brother in a northern town". Just saw him last night, LOVE this band!
I saw him last night in SF on his solo tour. He spoke briefly and emotionally about writing the song for his brother before playing it. Wow. It's a sad and beautiful song. I grew up in Seattle and remember the warehouse fire his brother and 3 other firefighters died.
I agree with the other two comments, but the great thing about Alex's songs is that their interpretations can extend to a more general feeling that everyone experiences. This song speaks about being haunted by death and regret, and specifically how to overcome grief and regret. To "turn a new leaf" so to speak.
He is seeing the "summer-flame" in a dark time in his life, which I think winter for him embodies. He is nostalgic for the person running through the grass, whoever it may be (apparently his brother, who had died).
The whole album, to me, is his catharsis.
Yet, he advises ones struggling to "see the moonlight on the snow."
What a lovely song. The nature themes are woven so beautifully throughout the album, and the strings complement them so perfectly.
If you can't tell already, I'm in love with Sea Wolf.