Then she appeared
Apple Venus on a half open shell
Then she appeared
The first photograph on Fox Talbots gel

I was a little frightened
Flying with my senses heightened
Cherubim cheered, then she appeared

Then she appeared
As the giggling crew of Mary Celeste
Then she appeared
Pale Atlantis rising out of the west

I was a little dazzled
Catherine wheeled and senses frazzled
Know it sounds weird, then she appeared

And the sun which formally shone
In the clearest summer sky
Suddenly just changed address
Now shines from her blue eyes

Then she appeared
Brittle shooting star that dropped in my lap
Then she appeared
Dressed in tricolor and phrygian cap

I was a little troubled
Hookah with my senses bubbled
All Edward leered, then she appeared

And the moon which formally shone
On the marbled midnight mile
Suddenly just packed its bags
Now shines from her bright smile

Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Then she appeared
Out of nowhere

Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Then she appeared
Out of nowhere
Out of nowhere


Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry

Then She Appeared Lyrics as written by Andy Partridge

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Then She Appeared song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    The song contains some metaphorical references. "Apple Venus on a half open shell" is about the the goddess of love from Roman/Greek mythology who was born out of a sea shell and later received Paris' apple as a symbol of her being the most beautiful of all the goddesses. Referring evidentially to the beauty of the girl that the song is about.

    Most other metaphors seem to have to do with the sudden and unexpected character of her appearance. "Fox Talbot" was a British innovator of 19th century photography. The first photograph with his new technique probably came as a surprise for most. The "Marie Celeste" was a ship that was found abandoned in 1872. The giggling crew, apparently just fooling the world for playing hide and seek for over a century, appear very unexpected to say the least. The same goes for Atlantis that turns out not to be a myth after all. The "tricolour and phrygian cap" are symbols of the French Revolution. I guess this has to do with the overthrowing of the old world order and the narrator having a similar experience in his personal world, which will never be the same again now she has appeared. And the "brittle shooting star" isn't something you expect to fall in your lap.

    Other metaphors having to do with the 'bubbling' of the senses, like the Hookah, that is some sort of waterpipe. Some things remain unclear to me. Who are for example Catherine and Edward who are mentioned?

    Cruonon April 19, 2011   Link

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