Lyric discussion by Willboe 

Cover art for Cow lyrics by Sparklehorse

Saint of barges Queen of nails Sparkling drumsets Metal teeth of carousels Buildings are rooks Nature's a vice Snakes eating their own tales

-All seem to be relating beautiful or extraordinary things to the mundane.

"Murders of crows" was mentioned in Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' song "The Carney". I can't see any connection there, though.

The chorus, "Pretty girl milkin' a cow" might have roots in the old Irish folk song "A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow", but I don't see any connection there, either.

Well, I gave it my best shot. This song has such a great jam to it. Mark Linkous, your lyrics will remain a mystery. RIP