(Alright)
"So long everything" he shouted
Then he ran next door to Margot's house (Margot's)
"I'm moving" he said
"Where?" asked Margot
"Two weeks away"
"Two weeks away?" He said
"Mitchell, where is that?" Asked Margot (Mitchell)
"It's everywhere, I will be after I walk for two weeks" said Mitchell
"I have lived in the same place for a long time
It is time for me to go someplace, east"
"Else"
"No, " said Margot, "You have only lived next door for fifty years"
"Sixty, " said Mitchell
"Fifty, sixty. What's the difference?" Said Margot (what's the difference)
"I want you to stay next door forever"
"I can't, " said Mitchell"
"I do not want to go wake up in the same old bed "
"And eat breakfast in the same old kitchen
Every room in my house is the same old room, because I have lived there too long"

You turn on a spindle
You're so much looser now
But you're not explaining how
You gained such new repose

I touch the clasp of your locket
With its picture held
Some secret you wouldn't tell
But let it choke your neck

So we imagine a darkness
Where all shapes divide
Solids changing into light
With a burst of heat so bright

Well fine, don't you do what I want you to
Don't degrade yourself the way I do
Because you don't depend upon all the shit that I use
To make my moods improve

"And you look at me and think, same old face, same old tail
Same old scales, same old walk, same old talk" said Margot
"No, " said Mitchell, "I like your face, tail
Scales, walk and talk. I like you"
"I like, like, like you too, " said Mitchell
He walked through the door
"I must pack" he said

Near a sea of pianos
There were waves of chords
That crashed against the shore
In one huge and useless roar

And there were girls bringing water
Like a dream they came
To cool the fever of my brain
And soothe my burning throat

And they made me a necklace
Hanging beads of sweat
On a string of my regrets
And they placed it 'round my neck

And they were singing
"Don't you do what you've wanted to"
"Yeah, don't destroy yourself
Like those cowards do"
"Maybe the sun keeps coming up
Because it has gotten used to you
And your constant need for proof"


Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by colby7436, martyRath

A Spindle, A Darkness, A Fever, And a Necklace Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A Spindle, a Darkness, a Fever, and a Necklace song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

94 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    conor helps teach kids who speak english as a second language. good kid.

    difference_in_shadeson August 21, 2002   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Jesse with the long hair....
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Classic love story true to his western tx roots. One of my favorites as a story, but I think there are alot of songs that are amazing not even listed on this site. I guess I should figure out how to add them, because I have about 8 REK cd's.
Album art
The Spy
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
Album art
Techno Ted
Audioslave
Techno Ted may be a person who caused Chris incredible emotional pain & trepidation as well as moments of peace & happiness but now is removed and awaiting his fate. Darling may be a different person who is also free of him and can live her life free of Ted's tyranny. "In between all the laughing, and daydreams ... lies: a desert of truth" Lies are like a desert or the omission of Truth: Where there were Lies then Truth was absent. The song, "Techno Ted", may be a cathartic celebration of the downfall of this person.
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.