I wish I'd be in your wooden arms
That'll swallow me into a thousand dreams
And held me close while wooden eyes
That weep just like a willow tree

I wish it would be in black and white
But at least I will sleep in your wooden arms tonight
In your wooden arms, in your wooden arms, in your wooden arms
In your wooden arms, in your wooden arms, in your wooden arms



Lyrics submitted by jooce

Track duration: 04:04


Wooden Arms song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    Lyric Correction:I think it's
    "and help me close my wooden eyes
    that weep just like a willow tree"

    this is definitely about a lover who isn't reciprocating affection or care, yet he relishes every moment he's in his lover's "wooden arms." if everything was black and white he wouldn't be confused or be feeling torn between letting himself love foolishly because he's being neglected, or turning away completely. patrick watson is incredible, the analogy between himself to the willow and love to tough and uncomfortable "wooden arms" is beautiful. not to mention the marionette-esque feeling of the music. very eery yet dreamlike
    Flag coatcheckdreamon February 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:*going

    Never mind the typo
    Flag ferhon October 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about a break-up, the last night that person is going to spend with a lover that no longer reciprocates (hence the "wooden arms": inert and deprived of any sentiment). The next day they will no longer be together anymore but s/he still gets to spend one more night with a person for whom s/he has lingering feelings (and maybe whises s/he doesn't have them: "I wish it could be black and white").

    It's my opinion...

    I love this song not only because it's beautiful but also because it's the last song Lhasa sang live before goingo into seclusion and eventually passing away.
    Flag ferhon October 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:it should be:
    "and help me close my wollen eyes"
    Flag londron May 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The instrumental is so cool.. my god.. Is he talking about his bed (eg. coming back home, sleeping in his own bed)? Or a person who doesn't really care for him but at least it's someone (Maybe he doesn't know (I wish it could be black and white))? This is beautiful.
    Flag DJgifon January 18, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Is the wooden arms a metaphor for a bed?

    Hugery - you may be right, I like the angle. A good two cents. :)

    Flag xdvron January 15, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Memory:I'm not really sure about this but i think he is confused by a lover that doesn't reciprocate love or affection to him. 'i wish it would be in black and white' hence the confusion. That's why he talks about the arms of this person to be wooden, as in lifeless, cold and hard.

    my two cents :)
    Flag Hugeryon August 23, 2009   Link

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