Porcupine Tree – Wake As Gun

Man wakes up as animal
Hallucinates a fire
Man wakes up as as ghost
Bloodless but inspired

Man wakes up as music
And liberates the calm
Man wakes up as a child
And builds a bridge of charm

And the silence you keep
And I just wanna sleep
Still waiting

Man wakes up as a gun
And doesn't get the joke


Lyrics submitted by Ministry

Wake As Gun song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentSo fragile and cynical. It's true. I love these songs, that doesn't deal with a vase amount of issues in them, and yet they reflect reality and life brilliantly.
    Wakeboard_Snufkinon August 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is my favorite Porcupine Tree song. Or rather a tie with Trains. It's great.
    lolitsjohnon January 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOne thing I realized recently is that this song is a complement to "Pure Narcotic". It even has the same guitar music, changed slightly to make it sound darker. And it shares a few lyrics with that song as well. It's strange when you compare them, because Pure Narcotic is such an upbeat song.
    CoyoteLongshoton September 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSteven Wilson's other group "No-Man" made a song with the same music but different lyrics. It's called "Jack the Sax." If you like this song, check it out.
    DementedPuppyon December 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationIn my opinion this song is about reincarnation and the fact that most of the people on this world are to egoistic to think about the part they play in this world. They just consume and live their little slave lifes wile empowering governments & big bussiness to steal / ly / cheat / destruct and rage war...

    The last sentence is the best, because most of the people don't even know that they are doing this shit, they just live their lives. Most of them do feel that there is something wrong, but they don't know what it is and don't care (or dare) to investigate the real cause.

    So the message is; don't let this world get ruined by a few deranged people; investigate the power structures and remember that you are not alone. Don't believe the lies about crazy moslims or christians, they are mothers / fathers / sons (etc. you get the point) just like you, Trapped in a land shaped by big bussiness and their governments.

    To put it in 2 words; ONE LOVE!
    Beautifull song btw :)
    Nefilimpon November 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    MemoryAffirm coherence with entries.

    "Man wakes up as animal
    Hallucinates a fire"

    Divination device. Fluid following..

    "Man wakes up as a ghost
    Bloodless but inspired"

    Point, check-out "Echoplex" by Nine Inch Nails.

    "Man wakes up as a child
    And builds a bridge of charm"

    Unclear on device "bridge of charm" but the implication of what is allowed via travel, roots affirmed.

    "And the silence you keep
    And I just wanna sleep"

    Denial of a shocking arousal.

    "Man wakes up as a gun
    And doesn't get the joke"

    Lyrical curve ball, to only hint the worth of a vacuum cleaner.
    Foggiest thing to hint. If unclear point of reference.
    CatofNoahon January 25, 2018   Link

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