Jewel [The Peel Sessions]

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a portrait of a captivating, almost mythical "little babe," presented through a series of striking, surreal images. The opening verse establishes a sense of preciousness with "jewels upon her lip" and a flowing, dynamic description of her hair as a "river." This immediately sets a tone that transcends the ordinary, hinting at something extraordinary about this figure. The core of the song seems to be the narrator's awe and perhaps bewilderment at this "babe's" ethereal nature. The repeated "How, how" in the chorus acts as a refrain of wonder, questioning the very essence of her being. She's depicted as powerful and otherworldly, bathing in "thunder" and walking "the wind," accompanied by a "panther with silver fur." These are not grounded, everyday occurrences, but rather elements that elevate her to a fantastical status. What's particularly compelling is the way the lyrics blend the tangible with the abstract to describe her inner world. Her "thoughts are gold," a rich, valuable metaphor, and her "eyes electric blue" suggest a vibrant, intense gaze. The most profound image is her sleeping "upon the dreams of me and you," implying she exists on a plane of consciousness or influence that encompasses the narrator and the listener, making her presence deeply felt yet fundamentally mysterious. The repetition of key phrases like "jewels upon her lip" and "she bathes in thunder" reinforces the hypnotic, incantatory quality of the piece, drawing the listener deeper into this dreamlike vision.