A Pin-Light Bent - Joanna Newsom

My life comes and goes
My life comes and goes
Short flight, free rows:
I lie down and doze
My life came and went
My life came and went
Short flight; free descent
Poor flight attendant
But the sky, over the ocean!
And the ocean, skirting the city!
And the city, bright as a garden
(when the garden woke to meet me)
From that height was a honeycomb
Made of light from those funny homes, intersected:
Each enclosed, anelectric and alone
In our lives is a common sense
That relies on the common fence
That divides, and attends
But provides scant defense
From the Great Light that shines through a pin-hole
When the pin-light calls itself Selfhood
And the Selfhood inverts on a mirror
In an Amora Obscura
But it's mine. Or, at least, it's lent
And my life, until the time is spent
Is a pin-light, bent
It's a pin-light, bent

[@lucyrattner1228]

here from andy samberg’s recommendation. boy, am i glad that i’m listening.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

This song has me totally spellbound. The melody, Joanna's delicate vocals, the harp arrangement is all so exquisite. Joanna's songwriting is on a whole other level.

[@Gamerkat10]

This song means so much to me. I can't even tell you the feeling it gives. A bit like falling out of an airplane...

[@myrapearson263]

can't tell if you already knew it's based on this poem www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/42716

[@Gamerkat10]

Myra Pearson I did, the hint was intentional ;) But it was very kind of you to offer the explanation! Thank you!

[@jessicadorion8507]

I swear my cat even shed a tear at the haunting beauty of it.

[@victoriamatamoros9828]

My favorite song on the album.

[@emilys9524]

this song has such rhythm, a pulse. that one chord she plucks the whole time, her vibrato, the arpeggio or whatever on the bridge... so intense. and the metaphor of the pin light bent that calls itself selfhood and consciousness... so powerful

[@saralance8424]

metamorphosis by philip glass

[@derekandres5940]

Probably my fav from Divers.So transcending.

[@sethwilldraw5903]

I love the idea of life being lent to you, and all of the references to the simple concept of pin-light which connects eyes, memories, and cameras all at once. Very thoughtful lyrics

[@ahdwar]

Absolutely beautiful, with a minimal, yet well thought out arrangement, gorgeous.

[@double0bum]

The first time I heard this song I was at Joanna's show in London. She was playing Divers and it either wasn't out yet or I hadn't heard it yet. I remember the start of this, Joanna just plucking out those two notes and I remember thinking this is something special! But it's mine Or, at least, it's lent And my life, until the time is spent Is a pin-light, bent It's a pin-light, bent

[@geanjenet]

divers is such a great album, and I feel like it hinges on the sentiments of this song

[@caramelunicorn8023]

Goosebumps and tears

[@bryceolds9354]

best track off album besides goose egss IMO. stirs up all sorts of emotion in me like only JN can do.

[@scrumbole]

this makes me think of when the sky turns orange after it’s been snowing at night

[@asmrob2986]

A Hollywood movie could easily be written around this song. The word "sublime", so overused in this day and age, describes this piece of music better than any other. I am a Joanna fan...

[@caramelunicorn8023]

This song has such an atmosphere to it. Wow

[@bbuuttercupp]

This song reawakens a very specific memory in me that I can‘t put into words. Maybe it’s a feeling, more than a memory. A feeling I haven‘t had in a long time. Joanna‘s music does things to me barely any other musician‘s does.

[@bbuuttercupp]

wow what the hell, I don't even remember writing this comment. I honestly forgot about this song for a while, listened to Ys and HOOM mostly.. I'm here a year later though, and god I love this song

[@david19644]

Newsom is a genius.all her track on all albums are my favorites

[@taeyeonsnose7003]

that chorus is so otherwordly Omgfg...when she hits that "an amoraaaaaaaaaa obscura" im transcending

[@EvilEddtheRed]

Stunning.

[@jfabiani]

This is wonderful. My account got punished for posting a song from Divers. I appreciate you doing so, and I hope nothing happens and people enjoy the music.

[@aspiresk8boarding]

Amazing

[@caramelunicorn8023]

These lyrics fascinate and beguile me, make me laugh and make me feel great sadness. She is truly the personification of a perfect lyricist and not to mention her sweet, psychedelic yet daringly different style of music.

[@heelys005]

I don't need to understand the lyrics, this song just touches my heart..

[@coolangel834]

Poor flight attendant :(

[@ZenShroud1]

Andy Samberg sent me here.

[@fernandoganddini5279]

Adam who? 😂

[@daniiel]

just fcking excellent.

[@sandrinesabrina3763]

i think its so good bc its just her and the harp, nothing else. its so intimate

[@sophieharp93]

Is it just me or does this song have quite some similarity with Metamorphosis 2 by Philip Glass. Don't get me wrong I love this song, I was just wondering :)!

[@noradosmith]

Absolutely. Lots of songs similar to that piece.

[@ninavioletfan]

My life comes and goes My life comes and goes Short flight, free rows I lie down and doze My life came and went My life came and went Short flight, free descent Poor flight attendant But the sky, over the ocean And the ocean, skirting the city And the city, bright as a garde (When the garden woke to meet me) From that height was a honeycomb Made of light from those funny homes, intersected Each enclosed, anelectric and alone In our lives is a common sense That relies on the common fence That divides, and attends But provides scant defense From the great light that shine through a pin-hole When the pin-light calls itself selfhood And the selfhood inverts on a mirror In an Amora Obscura But it's mine Or, at least, it's lent And my life, until the time is spent Is a pin-light, bent It's a pin-light, bent

[@vervor]

The author approaches its subject.

[@chim-choo-ree]

I promised myself I wouldn't cry...

[@Ciogos]

can haz it at funeral plox?

[@caramelunicorn8023]

Id rather have it at my wedding so I can hear it

[@chunkymonkeyed]

So fucking good

[@deniseheatleylmt9126]

She should get together with Kate Bush.