I think that, on the surface, this song is the story of a prostitute who walks the street at night and and lives "in sin." However, notice how this song is wrought with irony. The "street walker" walks "without moving at all," and wears cloves [which are associated with Easter because their budded shape resembles the nails of the Cross] although she lives a life of sin and defilement. These small examples of irony hint at the central contradiction the speaker finds within himself:
"Because I want water where it's found
And you know
If there is water, you'll drown"
Here the irony is that, although the singer desires water [which is essential to life], he stays far away from it because he fears drowning. In this way, the "water" represents his simultaneous need for and fear of love. Although he needs love, he is too scared to venture away from the street walker's shadow to find a relationship with true substance. So, he uses prostitutes, or perhaps shallow and baseless relations, as a substitution for a loving relationship with true substance.
Also, the singer continually seems to chase after the street walker, saying "tell me where you go," and finally, "tell me where you love without leaving at all." He keeps running and chasing after the street walker the same way that he futilely attempts to overcome his fear and find lasting love. But sadly, he finds himself running after a glistening mirage that leaves him as soon as he gets too close. Maybe he is even the one to back off before he gets too intimate with anyone. Whatever the reason, the final piece of irony is heartbreaking: He is so afraid that love will drown him in sorrow that he ultimately finds himself drowned in loneliness.
The part that confused me was the cloves reference. Thank God for the internet. That's not really something we use in my culture.
The part that confused me was the cloves reference. Thank God for the internet. That's not really something we use in my culture.
Not to mention that no one I know uses the word "street walker", as opposed to other vulgar terms. Maybe the contradiction of the cloves and the name of the song with her being a prostitute is an argument towards saints in general. That what we consider holy at times is a result of blissfully ignoring aspects of that something that cloud that ideal image that we want to have- and in this over exaggerated case, the aspect that is being under-shadowed is one that happens to be the exact opposite of the "saint" aspect. I know it sounds confusing, but it's a little far-fetched anyway.
I think that, on the surface, this song is the story of a prostitute who walks the street at night and and lives "in sin." However, notice how this song is wrought with irony. The "street walker" walks "without moving at all," and wears cloves [which are associated with Easter because their budded shape resembles the nails of the Cross] although she lives a life of sin and defilement. These small examples of irony hint at the central contradiction the speaker finds within himself:
"Because I want water where it's found And you know If there is water, you'll drown"
Here the irony is that, although the singer desires water [which is essential to life], he stays far away from it because he fears drowning. In this way, the "water" represents his simultaneous need for and fear of love. Although he needs love, he is too scared to venture away from the street walker's shadow to find a relationship with true substance. So, he uses prostitutes, or perhaps shallow and baseless relations, as a substitution for a loving relationship with true substance. Also, the singer continually seems to chase after the street walker, saying "tell me where you go," and finally, "tell me where you love without leaving at all." He keeps running and chasing after the street walker the same way that he futilely attempts to overcome his fear and find lasting love. But sadly, he finds himself running after a glistening mirage that leaves him as soon as he gets too close. Maybe he is even the one to back off before he gets too intimate with anyone. Whatever the reason, the final piece of irony is heartbreaking: He is so afraid that love will drown him in sorrow that he ultimately finds himself drowned in loneliness.
Thanks!
Thanks!
The part that confused me was the cloves reference. Thank God for the internet. That's not really something we use in my culture.
The part that confused me was the cloves reference. Thank God for the internet. That's not really something we use in my culture.
Not to mention that no one I know uses the word "street walker", as opposed to other vulgar terms. Maybe the contradiction of the cloves and the name of the song with her being a prostitute is an argument towards saints in general. That what we consider holy at times is a result of blissfully ignoring aspects of that something that cloud that ideal image that we want to have- and in this over exaggerated case, the aspect that is being under-shadowed is one that happens to be the exact opposite of the "saint" aspect. I know it sounds confusing, but it's a little far-fetched anyway.
Regardless, this really sets the bar.