Lullaby

I'm beginning to think that it may refer to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), or "crib death."

Referring to the lyrics:

"Cross over and turn"...

This may be alluding to the child's "crossing over" into the next realm. In relation to that, the "turn" may refer to the child turning over on its stomach - this is how we often find the late infants when they have passed.

The second verse is the parent(s) feeling the spot in the crib where they left their child before going to bed.

"...don't let it burn."

Mimi is encouraging the audience to not blame themselves.

This also segues into the upcoming verses:

"We all want, we all yearn..." "Be soft, don't be stern..."

This refers to the parents' grief and, yet, that one must not be stern on oneself, but use compassion bred to mourn the child lost.

This all concludes with the final sequence:

"Lullaby... "Was not supposed to make you cry... "I sang the words... "I sang."

It still ends in a melancholy regret, where the parent remembers the final lullaby he or she gave to the child before their eyes closed.

I know not every song is about relationships, but at the point in my life when this song resonated with me most, that's exactly how I felt this one.

The first verse was like settling/acceptance for the situation I was in... Mourning a relationship I wasn't ready to lose.

(Cross over and turn) Accepting that life has to go on to the next chapter.

(Feel the spot, don't let it burn) Allow the feelings that come with this to happen, but don't let it destroy you.

(We all want, we all yearn) Precisely that...

(Lullaby was not supposed to make you cry) This line kills me every time. I hear it as an unspoken understanding from the person I lost. The 'lullaby' is all the good moments/memories. While the moments played out, they were sincerely well-intentioned. They were never meant to become painful memories.

(I sang the words I meant...I sang...) A reaffirmation of the previous sentiment.

I feel some heavyness in this song...the regret...the hope

Seems to be a song about how writing music (or anything, really) about someone can have some harsh emotional consequences for the party involved. Interesting especially because this is on Low's first album. Maybe Mimi is directing this to Alan?

One of the greatest songs ever! Almost 10 minutes of climax build-up... It really is wonderfully performed!

and yes, plosion, I agree with your view on the lyrics.

this sounds a lot like the song "New Dawn Fades" by joy divison. i think it was supposed to be that way. these songs are really emotionaly close

I just recently found this song and have listened to it a lot recently.

I actually was sure that the lyrics said: "Feel the spark, don't let it burn", I was searching the web to confirm my opinion. After being burned in relationships enough, I am happy with just the feel of the spark. But, "spot" it is then :)

For me the song is about change. I did not interpret the word "lullaby" as literally as jordan8856... I do think that his/her interpretation is very good, if bit too heavy for me.

I like to keep more open interpretation myself. The change can be anything. "I sang the words I meant" meaning for me that sometimes you have to be honest to yourself even if you might hurt others in the process.

Awesome song!

This is an awesome song love the build up and the channeling of Robert Smith.