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.
The shadow of the noose grew long
A sundial of the time
The prisoner had left to live
A self-inflicted crime
To pay with death for pain he gave
To those he soon will meet
The rope hung loosely 'round his neck
The devil at his feet
You shall hang, said the judge
For your presence here on earth
Is no use to those who want to live in peace
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the judge
You shall hang
You shall hang
You shall hang
The hangman checked the rope
Aware the prisoner was afraid
The preacher softly praying
To our Lord his soul to save
The blindfold placed around his eyes
An unlit funeral pyre
The hangman pulled the lever
He heard an astral choir
One man's life has cost another
You shall not lie in sacred ground
The time has come to meet your maker
Down on earth they heard no sound
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the judge
All earthy life in you has ceased
He tried to call out to the maker
On no earthly soil he fell
The maker motioned all around
He felt his soul dragged down to hell
He saw the man that he had murdered
People he had pained on earth
Of souls returning reincarnate
No hope for his rebirth
You shall hang, said the maker
For your presence on our planes
Is no use for those who wish to rest in peace
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the maker
You shall hang
You shall hang
You shall hang
A sundial of the time
The prisoner had left to live
A self-inflicted crime
To pay with death for pain he gave
To those he soon will meet
The rope hung loosely 'round his neck
The devil at his feet
You shall hang, said the judge
For your presence here on earth
Is no use to those who want to live in peace
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the judge
You shall hang
You shall hang
You shall hang
The hangman checked the rope
Aware the prisoner was afraid
The preacher softly praying
To our Lord his soul to save
The blindfold placed around his eyes
An unlit funeral pyre
The hangman pulled the lever
He heard an astral choir
One man's life has cost another
You shall not lie in sacred ground
The time has come to meet your maker
Down on earth they heard no sound
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the judge
All earthy life in you has ceased
He tried to call out to the maker
On no earthly soil he fell
The maker motioned all around
He felt his soul dragged down to hell
He saw the man that he had murdered
People he had pained on earth
Of souls returning reincarnate
No hope for his rebirth
You shall hang, said the maker
For your presence on our planes
Is no use for those who wish to rest in peace
Your evil is forever
You shall hang, said the maker
You shall hang
You shall hang
You shall hang
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Prisoner Lyrics as written by R. Wakeman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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