Got out of bed, could not remember my own name
Condemned to walk the soil amongst all creatures wild and tame
Go where I go, do what I must
Crawl starving on my belly
Licking up the dry dust


I See the light in your window
Ride the elevator to the sixth floor
Stand with my arms at my sides as you open up the door
But I’m out of my element I can’t breathe
I’m out of my element
I can’t breathe

Alone with your bathroom mirror
Try to get my head straight
Breathe on the glass and wait for it to clear
Clean slate

Meet up with you in the kitchen
Where the air is hot and dry
Open up all the faucets
Be fruitful and multiply

I stand where the flashing swords gleam
And I try to shake my head clear of the dream
But I’m out of my element I can’t breathe
I’m out of my element
I can’t breathe

I start to sweat I can’t cool down
I’m scared of all the strangers in this town
I try to tell you just why I’ve come
It’s like I’ve got molasses on my tongue

I made it through town somehow
But who’s going to save me now?
I’m out of my element I can’t breathe
I’m out of my element
I can’t breathe



Lyrics submitted by mdon06

How to Embrace a Swamp Creature song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    yes, it is from the heretic pride press kit: "This song is about sleeping with somebody with whom you've just parted ways and with whom you told yourself you had no intention of sleeping on that day when you "stopped by" to pick up your stuff or "just to say hi" or whatever other excuse you feel like using"

    monkeysuncleon February 22, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    john darnielle and jeffery lewis made a comic explaining each song on the new album, you can look at it here:

    thejeffreylewissite.com/Mt-Goats-Press-Kit-08.html

    Sunset Rubdownon March 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it's about having sex with an ex-girlfriend.

    elurkeron February 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    No, it's not. "So Desperate" is the song on the album pertaining to sex with an ex-girlfriend.

    This song is similar to "Autoclave" in the narrator's awe that anyone could love him; he is a stranger to the feeling of being loved.

    vanityclearon February 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hmm, good.... good point.

    vanityclearon February 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I see this one as similar to So Desperate. Knowing that there's something you need to say, something you need to get off your chest, but getting caught up in your emotions, which in turn just end up making the situation worse. You feel like crap, but you just can't seem to get out what you needed to say. Stupid female charm haha

    mitsukai_zeroon March 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    I just saw them last night, and they did confirm that it was about having sex - not necessarily with an ex girlfriend, but someone that you know very well you should not be sleeping with, but do it anyway.

    cmack482on November 07, 2009   Link

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