This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
What did you say?
Don't speak.
You nailed down all your words on me and it felt like a blind guide.
Leading me into quicksand.
So fight fair, fight fair.
Not all you hear is noise.
Fight fair, fight fair!
I've earthed this seed so many times.
Deeply held in this skin of bark.
Branches made of ash and forests born aflame.
Restless and full of poison.
Shattered by a sea of dialogue.
Rabid speech, like dogs with teeth.
Words like a beggar.
That don't speak.
Crouched and bent out of shape.
Rip this tongue out by the root.
Shake the walls of this pale grave.
A blaze, a blaze is set upon the hills.
An open grave from which a great forest will rise, the fire collapses.
The corpses I've made.
This should not be.
Oh, how we curse.
The tongue is a flame.
Let there be grace.
Fight fair.
Don't speak.
You nailed down all your words on me and it felt like a blind guide.
Leading me into quicksand.
So fight fair, fight fair.
Not all you hear is noise.
Fight fair, fight fair!
I've earthed this seed so many times.
Deeply held in this skin of bark.
Branches made of ash and forests born aflame.
Restless and full of poison.
Shattered by a sea of dialogue.
Rabid speech, like dogs with teeth.
Words like a beggar.
That don't speak.
Crouched and bent out of shape.
Rip this tongue out by the root.
Shake the walls of this pale grave.
A blaze, a blaze is set upon the hills.
An open grave from which a great forest will rise, the fire collapses.
The corpses I've made.
This should not be.
Oh, how we curse.
The tongue is a flame.
Let there be grace.
Fight fair.
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The breakdown towards the very end of the song is absolutely monumental. Brilliant.
i agree this song and album ae very well put together meaninful lyrics as usual from NJ and brilliant guitar breakdowns as well good job.
i agree this song and album ae very well put together meaninful lyrics as usual from NJ and brilliant guitar breakdowns as well good job.
This song make me tingle in my giblits... My favorite song upon this monumental album!!!
"Rip this tongue out by the root. Shake the walls off this pale grave."
"A blaze, a blaze is set upon the hills"
Ehehehe.. I love that part! Makes me warm and fuzzy.
i think its "Shake the walls off this building"
ya... i think it is "building"
Nope I got this straight from the booklet. I thought the same thing but thats what it is.
Return to sender, I've fallen off the hint of suggestion Unlearning the strange devices of the world Is this the end of the earth. Or something like it The great, the great universal coma has arrived
that is the first part of the song where he comes in full.
I love how they composed this song entirely in a 3/4 time signature.. very unusual and highly creative for a metal/hardcore/metalcore song.