When the lake's on fire
With all the world's desires
When he shakes the stars above
When we lose the ones we love

When the seasons lose their grip
When the tightrope walker slips

I'm counting all the possibilities

When the past becomes the now
When the lost becomes the found
When we fall in love with war
When the angel fucks the whore

When the road we travel on
Takes us back where we came from

A million kinds of possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon

In the comfort of the world
In the arms of my big nurse
From the science of the heart
To each animal and plant

Compact, relaxed, intact, give thanks

I'm counting all the possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon


Lyrics submitted by Jeremyyy

My Big Nurse Lyrics as written by David Byrne Brian Eno

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

My Big Nurse song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

3 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    DB is extremely talented. As for the song, it's about a boy who wants someone to take care of him and his needs. Mr. Carefree; Free Spirit; Non=Conformist; I Don't Need Anybody" needs a nurse during the cold, hard winter months and before he's off having Paradise by The Dashboard Lights (and hopefully not making a boy baby as in the song:)Oh, the little angel fucks the whore alright. GREAT SONG.

    UseSomeoneElseon January 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the songs ponders the randomness of the universe and how amazing it is that we (human race) are even here:

    'A million kinds of possibilities For dancing on this lazy afternoon'

    Is there a god in the traditional sense? 'When he shakes the stars above'

    'My big nurse' is a ponderous way of looking at the earth. It nurtures us and we don't need fear it: In the comfort of the world.

    soundsgoodon December 06, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    I think this song is about dying and being born again, about gain and loss. Very comforting. Please respond !

    FredRebelon April 07, 2014   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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.