

And I regret, I regret
how I said to you,
Honey, just open your heart,
when I’ve got trouble
even opening a honey jar.
Joanna Newsom, “Good Intentions Paving Company” (Have One On Me, 2010)

Image Description
Four golden honey jars are decorated with beehives and tied closed with red ribbons. Their lids are golden coins decorated with crosses. The top part of the background is a blue field with four eight-pointed gold stars. The bottom part of the background has red and gold vertical stripes. In the center there is a shield, half red and half blue.
Interpretation
While the Three of Coins deals with feelings of possessiveness over a person, the Four of Coins shows possessiveness over objects and personal property. The sealed-off jars, guarded further by the central shield, illustrated closedness and things that are tightly held. In a positive sense this can meana conservation and good management of resources. In a negative sense it is hoarding and cupidity. The American-esque flag (like the one that “drags” in “Good Intentions Paving Company”) can also represent conservatism and nationalism.