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.
Back at the house, a bottle is found
And opened in honour of those who have drowned
While we who have not are stricken with guilt
And dutifully see that not one drop is spilt
We're drinking to life, we're drinking to death
We're drinking 'til none of our livers are left
We're wending our way down to the spirit store
We'll drink till we just can't drink anymore
Raise your glasses high
Drink the cellar dry
Well, bloody my nose and blacken my eye
If it ain't some young Turk in search of a fight
And chanticleer's chest is sagging with pride
For honour has yet to be satisfied
Well, Heaven be thanked we live in an age
When no man need bother, except on the stage
With "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
And definitely not tonight
I can still remember when I was just a kid
I was free to do what I wanted to
But I never, ever did.
So now with years of discretion reached
May we not forget...
"Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"
For there's life in the Old World yet!
There'll always be an England
An Ireland and a France
A Liechtenstein and Finland
And we have only one chance
Earnest young man with an unhealthy tan
Puts a drink in my hand and says
"I understand...
You're in search of the place
To continue the chase
Of the heavenly taste
I suggest in that case
You all come with me
To my place by the sea
Where the glasses shall be
Overflowing with free
Alcoholic delights
And free love if you like
For what point has this life
If you can't realise Your dreams?"
Oh, raise your glasses high
And drink the town dry
We'll drink beyond
The boundaries of sense
We'll drink 'til we start to see
Lovely pink elephants
Inside our heads
Inside our beds
Inside the threads
Of our pyjama legs
So don't shoot til you see
The reds of our eyes
And an army of elephants
Marching behind
From the day I was born
Till the night I will die
All my lovers will be pink
And elephantine!
And opened in honour of those who have drowned
While we who have not are stricken with guilt
And dutifully see that not one drop is spilt
We're drinking to life, we're drinking to death
We're drinking 'til none of our livers are left
We're wending our way down to the spirit store
We'll drink till we just can't drink anymore
Raise your glasses high
Drink the cellar dry
Well, bloody my nose and blacken my eye
If it ain't some young Turk in search of a fight
And chanticleer's chest is sagging with pride
For honour has yet to be satisfied
Well, Heaven be thanked we live in an age
When no man need bother, except on the stage
With "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
And definitely not tonight
I can still remember when I was just a kid
I was free to do what I wanted to
But I never, ever did.
So now with years of discretion reached
May we not forget...
"Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"
For there's life in the Old World yet!
There'll always be an England
An Ireland and a France
A Liechtenstein and Finland
And we have only one chance
Earnest young man with an unhealthy tan
Puts a drink in my hand and says
"I understand...
You're in search of the place
To continue the chase
Of the heavenly taste
I suggest in that case
You all come with me
To my place by the sea
Where the glasses shall be
Overflowing with free
Alcoholic delights
And free love if you like
For what point has this life
If you can't realise Your dreams?"
Oh, raise your glasses high
And drink the town dry
We'll drink beyond
The boundaries of sense
We'll drink 'til we start to see
Lovely pink elephants
Inside our heads
Inside our beds
Inside the threads
Of our pyjama legs
So don't shoot til you see
The reds of our eyes
And an army of elephants
Marching behind
From the day I was born
Till the night I will die
All my lovers will be pink
And elephantine!
Lyrics submitted by Bobo192
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Just listening for the 784,654th time....and it's just perfect in every way. Just incredible. The only reason it was remade was to scoop up a boatload of money from a more modern and accepting audience. But it is a completely different song than the other one that sounds slapped together in a few takes without a thought for the meaning.
This song captivates me still, after 50+ years. Takes me to the deep South and the poverty of some who lived thru truly hard times. And the powerful spirit of a poor young girl being abandoned to her future with only a red dress and her wits to keep her alive.
She not only stayed alive, she turned her hard beginnings around, became self sufficient, successful and someone with respect for herself. She didn't let the naysayers and judgers stop her. She's the one sitting in the drivers seat at the end.
So, not a song about a poor girl, but a song of hope and how you can rise up no matter how far down you started.
There is a huge difference between a singer who simply belts out a song that is on a page in front of them, and someone who can convey an entire experience with their voice. Telling not just a story with words, but taking you inside it and making you feel like you are there, with their interpretation.
Raise your glasses high indeed! Pure fun! Why does nobody post for the Divine Comedy? Neil is a wonderful musician and lyricist.
Great song. & i agree with Neil being a wonderful musician, he has a great voice and can tell a story well.
This song is made for being sung, loudly, on the street when walking home late at night. All my lovers shall be pink, and elephantine!