And I'll trip a lie, fandango
My legs are sheer elastic
It's how you envelope me
I'm like a corpse in plastic

You find while at a picnic
When you're just there to kick it
Now you have to call the police
And report somethin' wicked

And the scene, it turns so grisly
And the children, they are crying
You hand them black umbrellas
Tell 'em that the world is dying

It's how you hide your cards
It's how you dress your scars
And let them breathe (breathe)

Life,
Fantastic
Life,
So tragic
Life,
Fantastic

And I'll trip a lie fandango
I'll dangle from your elbow
It's how you envelope me
Between chaos and beauty

It's like you're at a picnic
And the wind, it turns so wicked
But you cannot call the police
And report what is happening

And the scene, it turns so naughty
And your mother, she is crying
You take her in your arms
Tell her that the world is dying

Oh

Life,
Fantastic
Life,
So tragic
Life,
Fantastic.


Lyrics submitted by ikefox

Life Fantastic Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © KILLPHONIC

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Life Fantastic song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    "And I'll trip a lie, fandango my legs are sheer elastic it's how you envelope me I'm like a corpse in plastic"

    Kudos to anyone who can figure out what that means, except that when someone is murdered, often the body is wrapped in plastic. (chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4697683.html) So maybe the speaker is saying that he's a grisly sight and needs to be hidden, i.e. enveloped? I'm not sure. But the rest of the lyrics seem to be about tragedy in general. I looked up "black umbrella." ("You hand them black umbrellas and tell 'em that the world is dying") There's an organization called Black Umbrella which builds disaster plans for people who are unprepared for emergencies. So maybe it means you give them emergency plans, you prepare them for a coming disaster, i.e. "the world dying."

    "it's how you hide your cards it's how you dress your scars and let them breathe (breathe)"

    When tragedy occurs, you have to pretend everything's okay to calm everyone else, like the children who are crying. You have to hide your real emotions, your cards, and dress, or cover, your scars, i.e. the pain you're feeling.

    This is personallly my favorite song on the new album. Amazing lyrics, amazing song. Very moving.

    Modestmouse1115on May 22, 2011   Link

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