Lyric of the Day #25: “Boy With a Coin” by Iron & Wine

              Yesterday’s lyric of the day by my trusty partner in crime Josh Baum made a good point. There is not much to say about these lyrics but the fact that they flow with the song very well. This is quite important. The lyric can be a fantastic story but if it does not flow with the song then the song will continue to be skipped over by listeners. So, with that in mind, today I bring for your lyric fancy a song by the fantastic songwriter Sam Beam who understands the importance of well-placed words in song

            “Boy With a Coin,” released on The Shepherd’s Dog and as a single in 2007, is a perfect example of a song whose lyric flows perfectly with the beat. In this case, an upbeat acoustic guitar riff with clapping and amazing repetition. Yet, when one looks deeper into the lyric it is not just a random array of words that flow well, but, an interesting lyric that can spark much discussion. Let us take a look at the excellent last verse.

          “Boy with a coin he crammed in his jeans
           then making a wish, and tossed in the sea
           then walked to a town that all of us burned
           when God left the ground to circle the world”

                    – “Boy With a Coin,” by Iron & Wine off of The Shepherd’s Dog

        I believe Sam Beam is using the coin as a symbol throughout this song, but specifically in this segment. The coin is representing the youthfulness of the child who tosses it into “the sea” while “making a wish.” An optimistic child would believe in this wishfulness. Yet, as he walks back to town he sees that its “burned” which symbolizes an unfortunate loss of innocence for the child. He attempts to hold onto this nonexistent reality of wishes but is forever destined to enter a world which is harsh and sad. What do you guys think?

This single cover goes right along with the concept of the song. The snake represents the ultimate loss of innocence and Beam who frequently plays with religious concepts displays the ultimate temptation in the Garden of Eden in this cover. Just like the boy with a coin, the snake and the apple. The wishful state mixed with the ultimate reality of life outside of eden.