Moby’s “Flower” is a distinctive track that draws heavily from an old African American children’s song known as “Green Sally Up.” Released as a B-side to his single “Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?” from the album Play, the song features repetitive and hypnotic lyrics that create a rhythmic and almost meditative experience.
The refrain, which instructs listeners to “bring Sally up and bring Sally down,” is both playful and reflective, suggesting themes of resilience and hard work.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Flower” Lyrics Meaning
[Refrain]
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
Green Sally up, Green Sally down
Last done squat gotta tear the ground
The refrain, “Green Sally up, Green Sally down, Last done squat gotta tear the ground,” originates from a traditional children’s game song. In this context, “Green Sally” refers to a little girl, and the lyrics instruct children to rise and squat in rhythm.
The phrase “Last done squat gotta tear the ground” implies that the last child to squat would have to assist with tasks like cotton picking, though this was likely more of a playful threat than a literal rule.
[Verse]
Old Miss Lucy’s dead and gone
Left me here to weep and moan
The verses, “Old Miss Lucy’s dead and gone, Left me here to weep and moan,” reference the death of a slave owner, Miss Lucy. This line suggests mourning or lamentation over her passing.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Flower”
Moby’s song “Flower” is notable for its repetitive and hypnotic lyrics, which are derived from an old African American children’s song called “Green Sally Up.” The lyrics “Bring Sally up and bring Sally down / Lift and squat, gotta tear the ground” are repeated throughout the track, creating a rhythmic and meditative experience.
This repetition can be seen as a metaphor for life’s ups and downs and the resilience required to navigate them. The action of lifting and squatting, along with the phrase “gotta tear the ground,” suggests themes of hard work and determination.
The song also includes a brief interlude with the lyrics “Old miss Lucy’s dead and gone / Left me here to weep and moan,” which introduces themes of loss and mourning. This contrast with the repetitive “Sally” lyrics provides a moment of reflection amidst the ongoing effort and movement, symbolizing how life’s cycles of effort are occasionally interrupted by grief and remembrance.
The original children’s song “Green Sally Up” was historically rooted in the slave culture of the American South. It was used more to entertain and occupy children in the fields rather than as a commentary on slavery.
The phrase “Green Sally” refers to a little girl, and the accompanying game involved children rising and squatting in rhythm with the song. The line “Last one squat gotta tear the ground” implied that the last child to squat had to help with cotton picking, though this was more of a playful threat than a literal rule.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.