Meaning of "Hard Bark On The Family Tree" by Have Heart

The lyrics of "Hard Bark On The Family Tree" by Have Heart delve deeply into themes of family, loss, and disillusionment. The changing seasons, particularly the sight of October leaves in Massachusetts, serve as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The narrator grapples with the idea that some families disintegrate while others endure despite difficulties. Memories of past struggles and betrayals continue to haunt the narrator, making it hard for them to connect with their family. The mention of highways becoming oceans symbolizes the vast emotional distance that separates the narrator from their loved ones. Despite the pain and alienation, the narrator finds comfort and solace in nature, personified by the maple trees. The closing lines, "If these trees can't replace scars/ Then let their leaves just bury me," suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance of the past. Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing, regret, and the search for belonging within a fractured family dynamic.