| mewithoutYou – Aubergine Lyrics | 13 years ago |
|
I don't understand much about it, but here's what I got. As someone already stated, an "aubergine" is another name for an eggplant. The speaker seems to be awestruck by "Aubergine" which I suppose is a woman. I think the speaker is Aaron; he mentions the Bible verse tattooed on his wrist, and Aaron Weiss has the first beatitude tattooed on his wrist in Hebrew (blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven). Maybe this song leads into the next ("Fox's Dream...") where the speaker proposes to a girl. |
|
| mewithoutYou – Bear's Vision of St. Agnes Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| I figure Aaron is Bear. If previous albums are any indication, he is not afraid to discuss personal issues in his songs, notably, depression, suicide, sexual purity, and frustration. In this song and "Fox's Dream...", Bear seems to be struggling with all of these, that makes me think the Bear is supposed to be Aaron. The other possibility is that he is unconsciously manifesting his emotions through the character of Bear (although I suspect Aaron is much too self-aware to do that by accident). | |
| mewithoutYou – Bear's Vision of St. Agnes Lyrics | 13 years ago |
|
Here's what I am piecing together: Since the album is a story, this song should be looked at in the context of the rest of the album. This is something I will take into account somewhat, but there is likely more that could be learned from looking closely at other songs. Bear and Fox are wandering together, and, as noted in "Fox's Dream of a Log Flume", they have already had a discussion where (I think) Bear seems to recount a tale of unrequited love and Fox depicts his dream of Bear's suicide ("...and that you jumped from the top of the log flume.") "Bear's Vision..." brings us back to Fox and Bear, now wandering and apparently growing weak from hunger. The fox feels that it is a burden to Bear ("you've worn me like an albatross, I've only slowed you down") this could be referring to their physical journey, but also relationally "You could've long traded in your braided crown (virginity?) by now you could've found that Anabaptist girl you always used to go on about". Apparently, Bear has talked to Fox about a girl he was interested in throughout their time in the circus. It's likely that their starving is somehow thematically related to celibacy and the unfulfillment of each of their relational/sexual desires towards others and each other (also: "we burned like fevers under carriage masks"). The pair approach the Asbury Cliffs (referenced in Fox's dream). Here, Bear says that his brother has passed away and has been laid at the bottom. Mention is made of St. Agnes (saint of virginity/chastity, among other things) and how she was present at the hospital where his brother died. The saint averted her eyes at Bear's brother's death (possibly due to some sort of sexual impurity, or to assume purity and and avoid disappointment?). Bear tells Fox his brother is located at the bottom of the cliff, and that Fox should climb down where "there'll be enough to fill your cup for days". It may be that Bear is telling Fox to eat the remains of his brother to avoid starvation (though Bear says of himself "I'll stay up here and rest"). "There'll be enough to fill your cup for days" might be a reference to the traditional story of the death of St. Agnes, where believers soaked up her spilt blood with rags (insinuating that Bear's brother was indeed a virgin at his death). Presumably, Bear is trying to get some privacy from Fox so that he can throw himself from the top of the cliff to join his brother and fulfill Fox's earlier dream. In his aside, Bear descibes his fall and his return to his beginnings (which ties in with the next song on the album): "We'll fly in straight lines as from carronades we'll crash like tidal waves, decimate the islands as our hollowed lumber falls like water, ends where I start in that tattered rag shop back in Asbury Park" While it looks like Bear is trying to preserve Fox's life, Bear does say "We'll" when describing his death. Not sure what to think about that. The song ends with a stanza I am somewhat clueless on. It seems that Bear may be describing how quickly his strength is leaving him and telling Fox that his survival will make Bear's death and sacrifice (more food for Fox?) worthwhile. If my theory of Bear offering his brother and himself as sustenance is correct (it may not be), this song is slightly dark, but also beautiful. Further thoughts/corrections welcome. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.