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.
They held their heads with laughs of pain
They learned from men who'd just refrain
From glancing at a mirror's face
Seven screaming diz-busters
Who lurked behind the rose
Cast iron for a bloodstream
And ice behind their eyes
On each and all those holy nights
When duster's dust becomes the sale
And Lucifer the light, the light
They're long so long this time of year
When stars be crossed by twirling fear
You don't suppose I'd prove surprised
Well seven screaming diz-busters
Should go the route and die
Without warmth they've learned to crave
With hardened smiles and evil signs
Bury me near the secret cave
So they'll not know the way
Bury me there behind the rose
So they'll not rile my grave
I'll not reveal whose name's still lost
Well their laughs of pain, ah, ha, ha, ha!
And their harder smiles
And their rigid arms
And their evil signs
The longer days and the longer nights
Yeah the longer
They're longer still
On each and all those holy nights
When duster's dust becomes the sale
And Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
I can't stand the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light (one)
Lucifer the light (two)
Lucifer the light (three)
Lucifer the light (four)
Lucifer the light (five)
Lucifer the light (six)
Lucifer the light (and seven)
They learned from men who'd just refrain
From glancing at a mirror's face
Seven screaming diz-busters
Who lurked behind the rose
Cast iron for a bloodstream
And ice behind their eyes
On each and all those holy nights
When duster's dust becomes the sale
And Lucifer the light, the light
They're long so long this time of year
When stars be crossed by twirling fear
You don't suppose I'd prove surprised
Well seven screaming diz-busters
Should go the route and die
Without warmth they've learned to crave
With hardened smiles and evil signs
Bury me near the secret cave
So they'll not know the way
Bury me there behind the rose
So they'll not rile my grave
I'll not reveal whose name's still lost
Well their laughs of pain, ah, ha, ha, ha!
And their harder smiles
And their rigid arms
And their evil signs
The longer days and the longer nights
Yeah the longer
They're longer still
On each and all those holy nights
When duster's dust becomes the sale
And Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
I can't stand the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light
Lucifer the light (one)
Lucifer the light (two)
Lucifer the light (three)
Lucifer the light (four)
Lucifer the light (five)
Lucifer the light (six)
Lucifer the light (and seven)
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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,
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I will continue to believe this until someone tells me a better idea.