“My Boy Builds Coffins” By Florence the Machine (2009) – Anthology

“My Boy Builds Coffins” by Florence the Machine (2009)

My boy builds coffins with hammers and nails
he doesn’t build ships, he has no use for sails
He doesn’t make tables, dressers or chairs
He can’t carve a whistle cause he just doesn’t care

My boy builds coffins for the rich and the poor
Kings and queens, they’ve all knocked on his door
Beggars and liars, gypsies and thieves
They all come to him ‘cause he’s so eager to please

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it’s not just for work and it isn’t for play
He’s made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he’ll make one for you
For you, For you, for you

My boy builds coffins for better or worse
Some say it’s a blessing, some say it’s a curse
He fits them together in sunshine or rain
Each one is unique, no two are the same

My boy builds coffins and I think it’s a shame
That when each one’s been made, he can’t see it again
He crafts it together with love and with care
Then it’s thrown in the ground, it just isn’t fair

My boy builds coffins he makes them all day
But it’s not just for work and it isn’t for play
He’s made one for himself
One for me too
One of these days he’ll make one for you

My Interpretation

My soul aches for the pleasantries of this
world to be done. To be gone away with,
tied up nice and tucked out of the way.
I desire to be freed of the flesh I reside. 

I wear weariness on my soul as I
pursue greater understanding of the
Purpose of my life. I used to desire to be
Free of the haze of lies and false
Pretense.
Now, I live a life full of nostalgia of
The person I use to know, and the confidence
They used to have.

I wanted to make a ruckus and I wanted to scream
and shout! There was a pressure in my chest that
Could only subside if a difference was made.

I wanted to force the world’s eyes open to see
What was happening; to see the big picture of
What life costs and what death breeds.

Where did this person go? I am so tired-
The dreams are still there, but the ability
To keep pushing while dealing with the day-to-day…

My soul cries out.
I wish to be that person again,
My hope is to understand how to
Make those dreams happen today-
As I ache to experience rest.

This internal battle between the good and the
evil, be compliant or a world-shaker.
It is a choice that I make for myself and myself
alone. I cannot be forced one way or another.
I bring forth my ideals and I take away the gains
and the losses from my life.

---