Florence + The Machine – My Boy Builds Coffins lyrics

Florence + The Machine – My Boy Builds Coffins lyrics

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 have 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

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 every one with love and with care
Then it's thrown in the ground and 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

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/f/florence_the_machine/my_boy_builds_coffins.html

Songwriters: Christopher Lloyd Hayden, Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Matthew David Allchin, Robert Damian Ackroyd

My Boy Builds Coffins lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Corrected by Taxidermy

hot lyrics

My Boy Builds Coffins meanings Post my meaning

Best
Recent
6 meanings

U

+ 3
Unregistered 2015-06-26 08:30:23

The coffins are figurative, it's about a boy who rode with one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. I think you can guess which one. I don't suppose he especially liked doing it ("But it's not just for work and it isn't for play") but death and taxes are guaranteed in life, I suppose someone has to do the dirty work.

Add your reply
U

+ 3
Unregistered 2012-04-28 01:44:15

In an interview she stated it was about her boyfriend who was in a band who was making a coffin for his album cover. He couldn't take her out because it was taking up so much of his time. She realised that death was very apparent and that everyone is going to die eventually.
But I also think the song is also about someone (the coffin carver) who knows his own mortality, and everyone elses, and how quickly life ends for a person. He seems to be comfortable with this idea and dedicates a lot of his time to making his coffins. I think he's trying to make death as comfortable as possible, because of his care and love for the coffins he makes.
At least, that's what I like to think. :)

1 reply
U

+ 3
Unregistered 2012-04-05 21:40:36

A woman seeing the true beauty in something no one appreciates. She knows his pain in the loss of something he has put his heart and soul into, yet she knows he chooses this career over all the others that others see forever and appreciate. It's his art, outlet, and natural talent and he is so good at what he does that everyone wants a coffin built by him. It's worth practicing your art even if it is truly misunderstood.

Add your reply
U

+ 2
Unregistered 2012-02-03 02:26:43

I think this song takes on a meaning of pride. I think the song is saying that the boy building the coffin doesn't care who he builds it for "rich and the poor" or how others perceive it to be "some say it is a blessing, some say it is a curse", but that he is going to build it with as much love and pride of his work as he can. He knows what his abilities are and wants to use them to the best of his ability to please others.

Add your reply
U

+ 2
Unregistered 2011-09-13 09:12:34

When I hear this song I think of the angel of death. He builds the coffins, he makes the coffins, he is the meaning of coffins. He has a coffin for every soul in the world and one day, he's gonna make one for you? And I guess when she says 'My boy' its just the song?
This is just my opinion. When I hear this song I imagine an angelic angel swooping down with his monstrous black wings and scooping up a soul into his coffin. Pretty strange I guess, and I must sound pretty twisted but I love these myths.
I hate songs that revolve around the clichè type subject of love, loss and heartbreak. I find it sappy and very pointless. I love hidden meanings like this.

Add your reply
k

+ 2
kittehlampshade 2011-08-18 10:58:10

I don't know why, but every time I hear this song, I interpret this song as he's basically a heartbreaker.
So, basically, he builds coffins because, when you break someone's heart, it feels like a part of them die, and you just have to bury the pain and memories.
It's saying that he breaks everyone's hearts. He's a charmer, that it doesn't matter who you are, he'll make you fall, and he's eager to please you.
And it's not just a game for him, it's become a way of life. She knows that he's gonna break her heart one day as well as everyone elses, and she's saying that she thinks in the end, he's gonna break his heart as well.
Some say that it's a blessing and some say it's a curse because it sets you free, but it leaves destruction in it's path. And no two heartbreaks are the same.
She thinks it's a shame because he spends all his love and care on a relationship, but then he throws it away and can't ever get it back.
Just my personal opinion, but anyone else agree? :)

Add your reply

Write about your feelings and thoughts about My Boy Builds Coffins

Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple .

U

or log in with

Min 50 words

Not bad

Good

Awesome!

View 10 more explanations

Add your explanation

Write an explanation

20 words

Good

Cool

Awesome!

Explanation guidelines:

Describe what artist is trying to say in a certain line, whether it's personal feelings, strong statement or something else.
Provide song facts, names, places and other worthy info that may give readers a perfect insight on the song's meaning.
Add links, pictures and videos to make your explanation more appealing. Provide quotes to support the facts you mention.

Before you get started, be sure to check out these explanations created by our users: good, very good, great.

Request explanation

Ask us or our community about the part of the song that interests you
We will try to respond as soon as possible

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z