Cabaret license
I haven't been by since
It goes against all that I've learned
But it seems that the tables have turned

But could we have stopped it
We all get co-opted
To some kind of system it seems
But they can't take away
Can't take away all our dreams

Like the one where I'm in a balloon
Floating above I can see the Marquee and the Moon
The monkey, the dog and Neptune


They're all in good spirits
I'm happy to hear it
But haven't the sweetest idea
To me buzz is onomatopoeia

Will something be happening soon
To settle the difference between the Marquee and the Moon
They're passing the torch, knife and spoon

And so it goes
I guess there are those
Who want to get out like me
Yeah

Their clientele
Can go to Hell
If they want to get in for free
But Hell ain't a bad place to be
Yeah

Am I any different than either the Moon or Marquee
Oh, not a lot if you ask me

Cabaret license
I've been coming by since
The action continued past two
Before this what did we used to do


Lyrics submitted by artmaven

The Marquee and the Moon song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    The namesake of this song is two bars in Halifax NS: The Marquee, and the Misty Moon. The Misty Moon closed down a number of years ago, but the Marquee lives on as a live venue.

    Hell is also mentioned, which is a seperate bar located downstairs in the Marquee. The bigger name acts play in the Marquee proper, but smaller acts play in Hell.

    There's also a reference to Wordwood's Dog and Monkey Cinema, which also closed down years ago, and the Neptune Theatre.

    Cabaret licenses come up a couple of times in the song. Most bars in Halifax NS close at 2am in the morning, but those with a cabaret license can stay open later until 4am (perhaps even later).

    I think this song is about the notion that you really can't go home. When you move away, it's easy to delude yourself in thinking home will be exactly as you left it. It can be difficult to accept those changes, and make you feel like you've lost your home.

    j5on December 21, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.