I've got a special category business
down by the Multifunctional Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Rollerblade Rink--
down by the Home of Bitter Tea.
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

I've seen you slinking off of snake alley.
Why not come up through the hall of butterflies
and past Lane 170
into our Dragon Protector Layout
and try some bitter tea?
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

On the 13th day of the 5th lunar month
Outside a hot spring bath
the old banyan tree looked down on me

Aren't you curious?
Aren't you curious?
A little curious,
about what the osmanthus blossoms taste like?

I think you're curious-
yes, you're curious-
a little curious
about what the osmanthus blossoms taste like
with a cup of bitter tea.
Bitter, bitter, bitter tea;
bitter bitter, bitter tea.

On the 13th day of the 5th lunar month
Outside a hot spring bath
the old banyan tree looked down on me

I am a crazy crane;
I lost my true love in the rain
I am a crazy crane;
I lost my true love in the rain



Lyrics submitted by badarts

Track duration: 05:14


Bitter Tea song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:The lyrics are about hanging out in Taipei, Taiwan.

    Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a large park that locals use for rollerblading, small group dance practice, tai chi, yoga, jogging, whatever, hence the Multi-Functional. It is located in a bustling office district, hence the special category business.

    Bitter tea is a special Taiwanese brew of tea that is good for people who stay up late drinking and smoking cigarettes too often. Snake Alley is a touristy spot where you can watch a live snake flaying and then drink the various vital fluids of snake for the betterment of your chi.

    Traditional Taiwanese/Chinese culture uses a Lunar calendar. Hot springs bathing is a favorite pastime in Taiwan, and banyan trees fill the cities and parks. Osmanthus blossoms are a common ingredient in local cooking.


    In response to Where does she get this stuff?!! the particular answer for this song here is Taiwan, the general answer for this LP seems to be travel.
    Flag lazarussleptinon January 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:The lyrics are about hanging out in Taipei, Taiwan.

    Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a large park that locals use for rollerblading, small group dance practice, tai chi, yoga, jogging, whatever, hence the Multi-Functional. It is located in a bustling office district, hence the special category business.

    Bitter tea is a special Taiwanese brew of tea that is good for people who stay up late drinking and smoking cigarettes too often. Snake Alley is a touristy spot where you can watch a live snake flaying and then drink the various vital fluids of snake for the betterment of your chi.

    Traditional Taiwanese/Chinese culture uses a Lunar calendar. Hot springs bathing is a favorite pastime in Taiwan, and banyan trees fill the cities and parks. Osmanthus blossoms are a common ingredient in local cooking.


    In response to Where does she get this stuff?!! the particular answer for this song here is Taiwan, the general answer for this LP seems to be travel.
    Flag lazarussleptinon January 02, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:actually, in response to "Where does she get this stuff?!!!!!?" it should be noted that matthew (eleanor's brother and fiery furnaces bandmate) writes the majority of the lyrics, from what I've heard.
    Flag aleatoricon October 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Where does she get this stuff?!!!!!?
    Flag HWOntoFireon August 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The crazy crane line is the best
    Flag hugmecolinon April 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so tea made from the stems of marijuana bitter... just for your information :)
    Flag Davis4888on December 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is amazing. It makes me want to dance around! So insane, and wonderful.
    Flag kcsongbirdon April 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i absolutely LOVE this song
    the beginning gets me all happy
    and excited and its just so wonderful!
    rock rock on the fiery furnaces
    Flag londonClockworkon August 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The best song off of Bitter Tea and quite possibly my favorite Fiery Furnaces song. I don't believe that FF lyrics are meant to be interpreted critically. They are meaningful as they stand.
    Flag sabertoothedblisson April 24, 2006   Link

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