Downliner

This is a song about life and death. In the first verses it says that death is quite simply the end of life "I close my eyes and then I go to bed". Malin doesn't believe in the promise of another life "I don't believe in what the good book says" i.e. the Bible.

The next verses are about his views on life, there are good and bad things, "funny memories and a broken nose", and all that remains are memories, not posessions "lots of baggage and not much clothes" (this is very elegantly expressed). He also seems to be tired of such life, he seeks death in some way, and thinks everybody else feels the same way regardless of their background: "The shrink the gypsy the poet the priest Everybody wants to be released"

The next verses are perhaps aimed to explain how such views and feelings emerged. He talks probably to a woman with whom he could not fullfill a relationship, and fears time will change his feelings for her: "And I know time was gonna change us, So slow life would rearrange us".

He realizes the pointlessness of partying and seeking hapiness elsewhere and comes to a certain aceptance of such pointlessness: "Lately it's alright;Down here with me; People at midnight pretend their free". And he begins to realize there is no hope for his love: "Maybe it's all gone", but he is not prepared to fully accept it "I'm holding on".

What he previously saw as entertaining drama now seems too painful: "Ooh it ain't so funny after all; Ooh it ain't so funny after all we've been through; Ooh it ain't so funny after all".

And so his thoughts return to death and the ephemeral nature of love and life: "That's the way you know the story goes; A box of flowers decompose". And he laments that he no longer is close to the woman he loves: "And you and me you know we don't talk much", but how could he be close to her if he would have to ignore his feelings or keep them controlled? "It's hard to handle something you can't touch". This is also very elegantly expressed.

Then the verses about his fear of his love ending are repeated.

He thinks he is not wrong in having loved her (or at least not to be blamed): "How was I to know; The future's black as coal?". And he wonders how things would have come out if she was with him "How was I to see if you were still with me?".

He concludes in spiraling resignation (the thought of death):

Downliner Down to the sea Downliner Down here with me Downliner

The word downliner is mysterious to me, though it seems to describes his view of himself. I love this song.