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When you were young
You were the king of carrot flowers
And how you built a tower tumbling through the trees
In holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet
And your mom would stick a fork right into daddy's shoulder
And dad would throw the garbage all across the floor
As we would lay and learn what each other's bodies were for
And this is the room
One afternoon I knew I could love you
And from above you how I sank into your soul
Into that secret place where no one dares to go
And your mom would drink until she was no longer speaking
And dad would dream of all the different ways to die
Each one a little more than he could dare to try
You were the king of carrot flowers
And how you built a tower tumbling through the trees
In holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet
And your mom would stick a fork right into daddy's shoulder
And dad would throw the garbage all across the floor
As we would lay and learn what each other's bodies were for
And this is the room
One afternoon I knew I could love you
And from above you how I sank into your soul
Into that secret place where no one dares to go
And your mom would drink until she was no longer speaking
And dad would dream of all the different ways to die
Each one a little more than he could dare to try
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This is about Anne Frank, obviously.
What an amazing lyricist. What a goddamn beautiful song.
And honoured among wagons,
I was prince of the apple towns--
And once b elow a time
I lordly had the trees and leaves
Trail with daisies and barley
Down the river of the windfall light.
And this is the room
One afternoon I knew I could love you
And from above you how I sank into your soul
Into that secret place where no one dares to go
I think Mangum is using a double entendre here. The most obvious meaning is sex, but there's another meaning. The word "you" could mean Anne Frank. "And from above you how I sank into your soul" could mean that he is reading the diary from above, the book is below him, and he gets lost in it. "That secret place" could refer to Anne's diary, a diary is a secret place for lots of people.
I also think there's something to the alternation between happiness and dysfunction. The happiness coming from the children together, moving from innocence into awareness. The dysfunction coming along whenever the parents enter the picture, being the evil that causes their early maturity, strengthening their bond. The children are together in overcoming their situation, or at least get each other through it.
You don't have to agree with me, but that's my idea of it. Basically the whole life. This song covers the childhood, all the innocence while surrounded with a world in chrisis.
“When you were young
You were the king of carrot flowers.
And how you built a tower tumbling through the trees
In holy rattlesnakes that fell all around your feet.”
In the first two lines the narrator (Mangum himself? A made-up character? ) reminisces a childhood game in which the “you” the narrator refers to was “the king of carrot flowers” (therefore the “you” is male. Is there a significance to “carrot flowers” or was the title chosen so it would fit with the theme of “make-believe”?) The “you” built a “tower tumbling through the trees” ( A poorly-built tree house? Why does Mangum use the word “tumble”?), some sort of hideaway where “you” was “king of carrot flowers”. The last line is most confusing (What do “holy rattlesnakes” stand for?).
Thankfully, the rest of the lyrics are more straightforward.
“And your mom would stick a fork right into daddy's shoulder.
And dad would throw the garbage all across the floor.
As we would lay and learn what each other's bodies were for.”
“You’s” family is dysfunctional. The narrator mentions “You’s” father is if he were his own (Are “You and the narrator siblings?) If I am correct, the “throwing garbage across the floor” is a metaphor for really airing one’s dirty laundry and not caring if it hurt anyone. At the same time, “You” are discovering themselves sexually (Sex is a really big theme with Mangum. What does it mean?)
“And this is the room
One afternoon I knew I could love you.
And from above you how I sank into your soul
Into that secret place where no one dares to go.”
I think this stanza is really about the act of sex (once again, sex is a REALLY big theme with Mangum).
“And your mom would drink until she was no longer speaking.
And dad would dream of all the different ways to die
Each one a little more than he could dare to try.”
Once again, “You’s” (and possibly the narrator’s) family is dysfunctional. “Mom” abuses alcohol and “Dad” is suicidal but a coward. Also of note is the comparison between the relationship between “mom and dad”- who hate each other- and “you” and the narrator-who are possibly romantically involved. Furthermore, is this strange tale of growing up allegorical? In other words, Are “you”, the narrator, and “mom and dad” all symbols for something else?
So, at the end, we have some questions to consider:
What is the narrator’s identity? Is it Mangum himself or is it a made-up character?
What is the significance of “carrot flowers”? Is there any?
Is the “tower tumbling through the trees” a tree house or some sort of a hideaway?
Why does Mangum describe a tower in a tree as “tumbling?”
What do “holy rattlesnakes” stand for?
Are “You” and the narrator siblings?
Why does Mangum repeatedly mention or allude to sex and/or sexual organs?
Are these lyrics allegorical?
Lastly,
How does this song relate to “The King of Carrot Flowers Parts 2 & 3” and to the rest of the album?
Thank you all. Once again, I apologize for being ridiculously extensive.