Bottom of the World Lyrics

Lyric discussion by PiKuelo 

Cover art for Bottom of the World lyrics by Tom Waits

really good song from his last album anyone knows what's with the "balancing a diamond on a blade of grass" thing? he also mentions it in All the world is green. what does it mean? any ideas?

It's because he was talking about sleeping on the grass

He is being slightly immodest claiming to be the diamond balanced on a blade of grass but no less so than claiming God hangs on every word when he wants talk. My favorite line is the first line of the song, I believe his father is looking over his shoulder saying those words rather than the boy looking back in time and hearing them again.

God's green hair (grass) is where he slept last, and he (God) balanced a diamond (morning dew) on a blade of grass.