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No Lullaby Lyrics
Keep your eyes open and prick up your ears ---
rehearse your loudest cry.
There's folk out there who would do you harm
so I'll sing you no lullaby.
There's a lock on the window; there's a chain on the door:
a big dog in the hall.
But there's dragons and beasties out there in the night
to snatch you if you fall.
So come out fighting with your rattle in hand.
Thrust and parry. Light
a match to catch the devil's eye. Bring
a cross of fire to the fight.
And let no sleep bring false relief
from the tension of the fray.
Come wake the dead with the scream of life.
Do battle with ghosts at play.
Gather your toys at the call-to-arms
and swing your big bear down.
Upon our necks when we come to set
you sleeping safe and sound.
It's as well we tell no lie
to chase the face that cries.
And little birds can't fly
so keep an open eye.
It's as well we tell no lie
so I'll sing you no lullaby.
rehearse your loudest cry.
There's folk out there who would do you harm
so I'll sing you no lullaby.
There's a lock on the window; there's a chain on the door:
a big dog in the hall.
But there's dragons and beasties out there in the night
to snatch you if you fall.
Thrust and parry. Light
a match to catch the devil's eye. Bring
a cross of fire to the fight.
from the tension of the fray.
Come wake the dead with the scream of life.
Do battle with ghosts at play.
and swing your big bear down.
Upon our necks when we come to set
you sleeping safe and sound.
to chase the face that cries.
And little birds can't fly
so keep an open eye.
It's as well we tell no lie
so I'll sing you no lullaby.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Hmmm. I don't know about LaughingLynx's idea about a deceased older sibling; I cannot see that in the lyrics myself. I do, however, like his connecting the mythical dangers of dragons, ghosts, and devils to the real dangers of childhood like SIDS and various childhood diseases. Much like those older perceived dangers, children are more susceptible to these real perils than adults, despite everything parents do to protect them (locks, chains, dogs).
In a more expansive sense, "No Lullaby" is about a loss of innocence once children learn fear. The singer is almost guiding the child in ways to strike back at the darkness in terms a child can understand like "come out fighting with your rattle in hand" and "gather your toys in a call to arms". He's telling the child to be watchful and wary and mindful that he or she is vulnerable. The child is his or her own last line of defense, which is a paralyzing thought for those of us who have children.
@ThreeSongRule excellent perspective
@ThreeSongRule excellent perspective
per Ian Anderson on Heavy Horses 40th Anniversary: New Shoes Edition "I wrote this song for my son James when he was a tiny baby. I would put him to sleep and read him a story to send him to sleep. I\'d be going through all this BS that everything was fine, but in fact it\'s scary stuff. So I wrote this anti-lullaby which invites the child to stand up and face up to the demons and bogeymen and the other scary things of the night (come out charging with rattle in hand). "
No comments on this great song? It may be my favorite track on HH. I'd love to read some thoughts on this song.
I view it as being sung to a new-born baby, possibly one whose older sibling died ('do battle with ghosts at play', keeping in mind how siblings have a tendency to fight) (morbid of me, I know); the parents know that harm can befall children (little birds can't fly, it's as well we tell no lie). Even though there are locks and chains and guard dogs, unseen things can snatch a child ("dragons & beasties" = SIDS, illness); it's a dangerous place so be on guard. I find it a rather sad song, as it disabuses the illusion of childhood innocence, where everyone lives "happily ever after" and "nothing bad can happen to baby".
Per the cup of wonder website, though, it has to do with the rise of fascism in Europe.
BEWARE THE SOCIOPATHS, PSYCHOPATHS AND NARCISSISTS WHICH COULD HAUNT YOU FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD ONWARDS.