Joanna Newsom - Sapokanikan Lyrics






The cause is Ozymandian.
The map of Sapokanikan
is sanded and bevelled,
the land lone and leveled
by some unrecorded and powerful hand

which plays along the monument
and drums upon a plastic bag.
The "Brave Men and Women So Dear to God
and Famous to All of the Ages" rag.

Sang:
"Do you love me?
Will you remember?"
The snow falls above me.
The renderer renders:
"The event is in the hand of God".

Beneath a patch of grass, her
bones the old Dutch master hid.
While elsewhere Tobias
and the angel disguise
what the scholars surmise was a mother and kid.

Interred with other daughters,
in dirt in other potters' fields
above them, parades
mark the passing of days
through parks where pale colonnades arch in marble and steel,

where all of the twenty-thousand attending your foot fall
and the cause that they died for are lost in the idling bird calls,
and the records they left are cryptic at best,
lost in obsolescence.
The text will not yield, nor x-ray reveal
with any fluorescence
where the hand of the master begins and ends.

I fell, I tried to do well but I won't be.
Will you tell the one that I love to remember and hold me?
I call and call for the doctor
but the snow swallows me whole with ol' Florry Walker
and the event lives only in print.

He said:
"It's alright,"
and "It's all over now,"
and boarded the plane,
his belt unfastened;
the boy was known to show unusual daring.
And, called a “boy”,
this alderman, confounding Tammany Hall,
In whose employ King Tamanend himself preceded John’s fall.

So we all raise a standard
to which the wise and honest soul may repair,
to which a hunter,
a hundred years from now, may look and despair
and see with wonder
the tributes we have left to rust in the parks,
swearing that our hair stood on end
to see John Purroy Mitchel depart

for the Western front where our work might count.
All exeunt, all go out,
await the hunter to decipher the stone,
and what lies under. Now the city is gone.

Look and despair.
Look and despair.





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Joanna Newsom Sapokanikan Comments
  1. S.... S....

    i love you

  2. U.... A....

    I wonder how it sounds when Kate Bush has sung this song in her early years. I love this one though.

  3. A.... L....

    I love her style , but i dont get why andy is her superfan while he is making dope songs with dope beats like that bin laden song , it is so catchy .. i mean if he love this kind of style he should make one

  4. J.... S....

    The second half of this song is other-worldly

  5. T.... ....

    She's doing my favourite thing in the video while being cute and confusing me with her lyrics. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

  6. p.... ....

    She is a great singer, but I can't stand her. Too contrived, too pretentious, too falsely childish. What a wasted talent

  7. l.... h....

    She sounds like a Chinese robot from the past 10/10

  8. B.... D....

    Joanna sings about clone life

  9. m.... l....

    Reminds me of Fiona Apple

  10. D.... C....

    this is my first time listening to Joanna. her voice is so unique and interesting. i’ve never heard anything like this before.

  11. m.... w....

    Que talento maravilhoso..!!❤❤👏🏾👏🏾😍😍

  12. T.... ....

    No. just no.

  13. �.... �....

    what a terrible & shit song, also you can tell this horrible looking & horrible sounded trash, is a junkie

    �.... �....

    All hail Russia as motherland and bvest country blyat

  14. n.... ....

    what the fuck. I got to 3:50 and saw the dislike bar and was like how the hell can anyone dislike this. Seriously! are some people just that sound deaf??

  15. J.... E....

    She has the most incredible vocal range and control

  16. S.... i....

    Redofa'S

  17. P.... L....

    I love watching this video, such a Beautiful song by Joanna Newsom and this is a great video, there three points I look forward to... Firstly when Joanna air drums, sat on the bench and the little child stares at her, second point is when she walks through the takeaway shop and the lad watches her and the third and best part is when you see the fire engine's lights in the distance and then she eventually passes by the engine! I will never tire from watching this, if I'm not sure what to watch this is one of a chosen few I repeat a viewing! Thank you.

  18. A.... A....

    Do I know what sings means? Not really. Hahaha

  19. T.... O....

    I'm really bummed I'm not friends with Joanna Newsom and PTA

  20. 2.... ....

    High-pitched voice. A nothing burger. Move along folks with your social media hype.

  21. M.... R....

    Doidinha

  22. 7.... ....

    One of the best artists of the modern century

  23. S.... S....

    It breaks my heart I will never be as talented or as smart as Joanna.

    S.... S....

    She got to that point from hard work and dedication. Don't just boil it up to be talent.

  24. Z.... ....

    finnaly i found what i was looking for - strange voice pop music THANKS

    Z.... ....

    oh lol i though that this is french song but this is actually english... what a mindblowing

    Z.... ....

    @ZiMarts The lyrics are absolutely insane. Her songwriting is on another level.

  25. R.... F....

    It's kinda pretty but weird sounds and pitch not for me but I am sure some people like it

  26. W.... F....

    This is just magical...makes my chest hurt, it's so beautiful. Also I think she was the reason I started writing, after hearing her earlier stuff from the first album/demo, and a few other antifolk types. Truly magical, thank you Ms Newsom, for such incredible music over the years.

  27. A.... L....

    Miss lady will you please just let Spotify play your music

  28. J.... S....

    Imagine Joanna as a granny singing to her grandchildren. That's blessed.

  29. R.... K....

    Joanna Newsom is the reason why I close Spotify and open YouTube once in a while

  30. m.... ....

    this song, indeed, but this video, too! I've listened to it a hundred times but only now did I realize that as she approached the firetruck from around 3:08, it seems like she makes a series of motions for the cameraman to film the firetruck instead of her - she like nods and bows towards it - and at the same time it just looks like she puts emphasis on what she's singing, or that she's feeling how heavy it is, maybe the song as well as the events taking place as they were filming, as the firetruck flickered its' lights. There's not one thing that has only one meaning to be found in it, not in the song and not in the video

  31. j.... ....

    Her voice & delivery lives in the uncanny valley between beautiful and unbearably irritating.

  32. S.... Z....

    Why isnt this on spotify... :'/

    S.... Z....

    She doesnt like spotify

  33. S.... ....

    This is crazy

  34. t.... s....

    How could any one like this trash

    t.... s....

    It's perfectly ok to not like this, but you must know it's not trash just because it isnt your thing. You cant say there isnt any talent here.

  35. N.... ....

    uhhh yeah

  36. J.... C....

    It's been 4 years, hopefully she releases a new album soon💜

  37. S.... D....

    The cause is Ozymandian
    The map of Sapokanikan
    Is sanded and bevelled
    The land lorn and levelled
    By some unrecorded and powerful hand
    Which plays along the monument
    And drums upon a plastic bag
    The brave-men-and-women-so-dear-to-God-
    And-famous-to-all-of-the-ages rag
    Sang: Do you love me?
    Will you remember?
    The snow falls above me
    The renderer renders:
    The event is in the hand of God
    Beneath a patch of grass, her
    Bones the old Dutch master hid
    While elsewhere Tobias
    And the angel disguise
    What the scholars surmise was a mother and kid
    Interred with other daughters
    In dirt in other potters' fields
    Above them, parades
    Mark the passing of days
    Through parks where pale colonnades arch in marble and steel
    Where all of the twenty-thousand attending your footfall
    And the causes they died for are lost in the idling bird calls
    And the records they left are cryptic at best
    Lost in obsolescence
    The text will not yield, nor x-ray reveal
    With any fluorescence
    Where the hand of the master begins and ends
    I fell, I tried to do well but I won't be
    Will you tell the one that I love to remember and hold me
    I call and call for the doctor
    But the snow swallows me whole with ol' Florry Walker
    And the event lives only in print
    He said:
    "It's alright"
    And "It's all over now"
    And boarded the plane
    His belt unfastened
    The boy was known to show unusual daring
    And, called a "boy"
    This alderman, confounding Tammany Hall
    In whose employ King Tamanend himself preceeded John's fall
    So we all raise a standard
    To which the wise and honest soul may repair
    To which a hunter
    A hundred years from now, may look and despair
    And see with wonder
    The tributes we have left to rust in the parks
    Swearing that our hair stood on end
    To see John Purroy Mitchel depart
    For the Western front where our work might count
    O mercy! O God!
    Go out, await the hunter to decipher the stone
    And what lies under the city is gone
    Look and despair
    Look and despair

    S.... D....

    Hey, these lyrics are not official. Among some other minor mistakes, she does not sing "O Mercy! O God!", but "All exeunt. All go out." 😅

    S.... D....

    Lucas thanks haha. I just copied them from google as a reference for singing along

    S.... D....

    @Sabine D. Maloney Cool! I recommend joannanewsomlyrics.com, they have all the official lyrics there!

    S.... D....

    Lucas thanks so much!!

  38. R.... L....

    This is my favorite Joanna song ever

  39. C.... !....

    protect happy and sad joanna at all cost

  40. E.... M....

    Kate Bush

  41. B.... B....

    i think this song is about dead kings of great lands and great kings of dead lands

  42. A.... L....

    I was listening to this song in school and one of my friends took one of my earbuds and put it in her ear and listened to the rest of the song with me and as soon as it finished, she said "what the fuck did I just listen to???" Some people just don't understand art

    A.... L....

    did she died ?

  43. A.... M....

    Lyrics
    The cause is Ozymandian
    The map of Sapokanikan
    Is sanded and bevelled
    The land lorn and levelled
    By some unrecorded and powerful hand

    Which plays along the monument
    And drums upon a plastic bag
    The brave-men-and-women-so-dear-to-God-
    And-famous-to-all-of-the-ages rag

    Sang: Do you love me?
    Will you remember?
    The snow falls above me
    The renderer renders:
    The event is in the hand of God

    Beneath a patch of grass, her
    Bones the old Dutch master hid
    While elsewhere Tobias
    And the angel disguise
    What the scholars surmise was a mother and kid
    Interred with other daughters
    In dirt in other potters' fields
    Above them, parades
    Mark the passing of days
    Through parks where pale colonnades arch in marble and steel

    Where all of the twenty-thousand attending your footfall
    And the causes they died for are lost in the idling bird calls
    And the records they left are cryptic at best
    Lost in obsolescence
    The text will not yield, nor x-ray reveal
    With any fluorescence
    Where the hand of the master beginsand ends

    I fell, I tried to do well but I won't be
    Will you tell the one that I love to remember and hold me
    I call and call for the doctor
    But the snow swallows me whole with ol' Florry Walker
    And the event lives only in print

    He said:
    "It's alright"
    And "It's all over now"
    And boarded the plane
    His belt unfastened
    The boy was known to show unusual daring
    And, called a "boy"
    This alderman, confounding Tammany Hall
    In whose employ King Tamanend himself preceeded John's fall

    So we all raise a standard
    To which the wise and honest soul may repair
    To which a hunter
    A hundred years from now, may look and despair
    And see with wonder
    The tributes we have left to rust in the parks
    Swearing that our hair stood on end
    To see John Purroy Mitchel depart

    For the Western front where our work might count
    O mercy! O God!
    Go out, await the hunter to decipher the stone
    And what lies under the city is gone

    Look and despair
    Look and despair

  44. W.... F....

    It would be great if she didnt put on that fake accent to be "whimsical." There's a good voice in there somewhere.

    W.... F....

    that's just how she sings, there's no affectation. what's even "whismical" about it?

  45. K.... B....

    I might have her confused with someone else...but didn't she grow up without a lot of TV and stuff? This is what happens when you turn it all off.

  46. K.... ....

    Y's is still the greatest album ever written.
    So, yes, go and listen to that when you're done

  47. A.... W....

    Where’s the bass?

  48. s.... ....

    I managed to hang on for about 20 seconds, and at least 5 of those were a desperate grab for the mute button.

  49. J.... M....

    If it wasn't for the lyrics, this would be a god-awful song.

  50. S.... M....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ARCpXp9Kqk

  51. V.... _....

    put this on spotify or ill break yo'ure harp

    V.... _....

    she's very much against Spotify so i won't be surprised if she never puts her music on there

  52. T.... K....

    She's the one of the greatest things happened in music, Ys and Have one on me are masterpiece

    T.... K....

    one of my fave musicians for my shitty millennial life at least.

  53. B.... B....

    her voice is so different, it’s like Alt-J with Kate Bush

  54. A.... A....

    This video is a whole experience

  55. H.... M....

    Sounds like an elderly cat in angst. I can make out a few words here and there but it mostly sounds like gibberish. What is this singing "style" called? Jewish trashfire new york-chic? Sounds like it was produced by Epstein, weinstein, any kind of -stein.

  56. E.... M....

    This song is as addicting as crack.

  57. E.... M....

    I can’t stop thinking about this song on the daily.
    Also.... I love Andy and wow

  58. C.... q....

    She's the definition of wooden pussy

    C.... q....

    Lmao, what that is cuh

  59. D.... W....

    So I just came her from Brooklyn 99 somehow

  60. M.... C....

    Joanna! Please do the spotify thing..... I buy all your albums anyway but I find I more often than not give money to someone whos uploaded your songs on YouTube for convenience. Make this not happen. Thanks

    M.... C....

    Matt Cunningham She has a contract with Drag City and she hates Spotify

  61. K.... M....

    the 1.4K dislikes are from people who wonder *WTF? Nothing Rhymes with Sapokanikan*

  62. R.... K....

    The older she gets, the more she reminds me of Julie Newmar.

  63. O.... S....

    4:15
    That note

  64. J.... D....

    I didn't realize I was breathing sharply and had tears streaming down my eyes until the very end of this song . So heartfelt , the melody , the lyrical genius . We do not deserve this Goddess.

  65. S.... F....

    I'm sorry but this is trash how did I get here. Her voice is just bad

  66. R.... T....

    I have NO idea what she is saying but I have to admit I like this music

  67. E.... V....

    Simply Angelic

  68. L.... L....

    This video and Fiona apple's video for never is a promise are two sides of the same coin

  69. C.... S....

    Wow. This is so different. I don't know if I like it it or hate it but one thing I'm sure of is, it's on a whole different level art form of music. This is art.

  70. D.... ....

    This some Raymond Holt type shit

  71. B.... D....

    I must admit that I just now stumbled across Joanna Newsom because of Andy Samberg. This is the first song I've heard of hers. Halfway through the music video I thought to myself "this is the kind of artist that makes you feel smarter just for knowing them. A true and respectable artist." I had to look up the lyrics and shortly thereafter the meaning. It's 2am and I have put that aside to unpack tomorrow. I most definitely will listen to another song or two!

  72. A.... R....

    9 drops of bush, joni and melanie, 5 drops of nyro sauce ( when the stirring's done can i lick the spoon: of course, of course!) , now for the tincture of percy b, but i must use only a touch, for without a touch of freshman lit. it wouldn't be me.....oops, too much

  73. J.... P....

    Joanna Newsom.. one of the best underrated artists (un)known to man..

  74. S.... H....

    This Reminds me of Kate Bush. I like artists that do their own thing, are different, and unique.
    And as a singer/musician myself who grew up listening to KB in the 70’s I’m allowed to voice an opinion. Please don’t frown. I wish some Native Americans would become famous and their amazing lyrics shared with the world. I’m tired of all the Dutch and Irish immigrants sharing. I love all people. Just tired of it.
    Next..

  75. k.... k....

    sounding like Kate Bush

  76. N.... W....

    She's beautiful

  77. A.... M....

    This song is a frickin masterpiece.

  78. -.... K....

    Name one thing cuter and I’ll give you 31.4 bucks

  79. l.... ....

    gen x here to say: This is embarrassingly bad...

  80. c.... ....

    is she a goddess??

  81. J.... S....

    The event lives only in print

  82. P.... S....

    Will it, I wonder, someday be revealed that she and Kate Bush were, albeit some twenty years apart, both adopted by kindly yet unsuspecting human parents from a foundling home for the wayward old souls of fairyland?

  83. D.... ....

    Hmmm. A woman with the moves and voice of a child. Not really my thing, but whatever floats your boat, people.

    D.... ....

    Finally, someone who just'nt just hate on her. Thank you.

    D.... ....

    @Seedless Watermelon Thank you yourself! I always like good manners. Especially on the Internet!

  84. G.... T....

    i love that andy was her fan and they got married and they have a baby girl it's all so goals and cute

  85. J.... L....

    sounds like Karen O' and the Kids. The high pitched voice

  86. A.... S....

    Bro, can you put your sing-song stuff on Spotify?

    A.... S....

    She's never gonna do it. Even Robert fripp gave into the streaming but she's going to be the last woman standing

  87. L.... L....

    THEY’RE married??

  88. P.... K....

    Idiots! This should he at a billion views!

  89. S.... B....

    She is Gods most beautiful creation.

  90. �.... �....

    I love andy samberg

  91. j.... b....

    A beautiful young lady who has worked hard to use some of her God given talents.

  92. C.... ....

    Amazing.

  93. J.... R....

    It’s not bad, but it’s definitely different

  94. c.... m....

    I love. love. love her voice.

  95. D.... F....

    The cause is Ozymandian
    The map of Sapokanikan
    Is sanded and bevelled
    The land lone and levelled
    By some unrecorded and powerful hand
    Which plays along the monument
    And drums upon a plastic bag
    The brave-men-and-women-so-dear-to-God-
    And-famous-to-all-of-the-ages rag
    Sang: Do you love me?
    Will you remember?
    The snow falls above me
    The renderer renders:
    The event is in the hand of God
    Beneath a patch of grass, her
    Bones the old Dutch master hid
    While elsewhere Tobias
    And the angel disguise
    What the scholars surmise was a mother and kid
    Interred with other daughters
    In dirt in other potters' fields
    Above them, parades
    Mark the passing of days
    Through parks where pale colonnades arch in marble and steel
    Where all of the twenty-thousand attending your footfall
    And the causes they died for are lost in the idling bird calls
    And the records they left are cryptic at best
    Lost in obsolescence
    The text will not yield, nor x-ray reveal
    With any fluorescence
    Where the hand of the master begins and ends
    I fell, I tried to do well but I won't be
    Will you tell the one that I love to remember and hold me
    I call and call for the doctor
    But the snow swallows me whole with ol' Florry Walker
    And the event lives only in print
    He said:
    "It's alright"
    And "It's all over now"
    And boarded the plane
    His belt unfastened
    The boy was known to show unusual daring
    And, called a "boy"
    This alderman, confounding Tammany Hall
    In whose employ King Tamanend himself preceeded John’s fall
    So we all raise a standard
    To which the wise and honest soul may repair
    To which a hunter
    A hundred years from now, may look and despair
    And see with wonder
    The tributes we have left to rust in the parks
    Swearing that our hair stood on end
    To see John Purroy Mitchel depart
    For the Western front where our work might count
    O mercy! O God!
    Go out, await the hunter to decipher the stone
    And what lies under the city is gone
    Look and despair
    Look and despair

  96. R.... ....

    Newsom and Imogen Heap lets do it!!

  97. B.... ....

    I honestly wish I was smart enough to truly understand and fully appreciate this song

  98. s.... e....

    Love this girl. And this one. Equally poetic: more accessible and melodic. joustene.com

  99. V.... A....

    It's she's like a baby from Alanis Morissette and Émilie Simon lol and Kate Bush's her gran.