1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
The Butcher Lyrics
open up till midnight
the butcher waits for someone’s desperation
that goes beyond control
speaking is an invitation
under fluorescent lights
you can’t wash out his desire
where bodies are indecent
and they are not in decline
from behind the counter he thought you whispered you want more
cut out the brights of the oncoming cars on the highway
lightness is forced when you cut out the lines in the paper
cut the split seconds
the ones over-filled
when you thought you were caught with unknowable thrills
instead you get absence
soft haze in the face
the lines in your head have to all be replaced
cleave the dry stone to a promise
that an answer soon will follow
grave attention is still focused
on the flashlight and the cold fortune
down the streets on prospect
the butcher walks home
orange in the streetlight
even knows it in the dark
proves it with his eyes closed
he puts his red coat downstairs
goes up into his bedroom
undresses and folds his arms
as if it could impress you
from under the covers he thought you whispered you want more
the butcher waits for someone’s desperation
that goes beyond control
speaking is an invitation
you can’t wash out his desire
where bodies are indecent
and they are not in decline
from behind the counter he thought you whispered you want more
lightness is forced when you cut out the lines in the paper
cut the split seconds
the ones over-filled
when you thought you were caught with unknowable thrills
instead you get absence
soft haze in the face
the lines in your head have to all be replaced
that an answer soon will follow
grave attention is still focused
on the flashlight and the cold fortune
the butcher walks home
orange in the streetlight
even knows it in the dark
proves it with his eyes closed
goes up into his bedroom
undresses and folds his arms
as if it could impress you
from under the covers he thought you whispered you want more
Song Info
Submitted by
toadtws On Jun 04, 2004
More Matt Pond PA
Halloween
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
KC
Closer
New Hampshire
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
No comments? I think this song is about a relationship where a girl is dating a common man (a butcher) and they are living this cut-out life, but it's not good enough for her. He thinks she whispers she wants more under the covers, but really she's just bored. At the same time, I could also see this song about a guy (a butcher) who is a serial killer and his girlfriend doesn't know. She's bored with him and thinks he's unimpressive and nothing special and in reality he's killing people while he's gone (i.e. the flashlight and the cold fortune (death) line). I don't know; I could see it going either way, but I like the first interpretation better. Either way, super tragic and great song.