(I’ve been trapped here for one hundred years
Blood, women and drink have been my only vessels on this vessel
Isn’t there a way out, now?
Brave friend horizon, bring me back to fourteen)

There’s a million ways out of the city
I don’t know one
His way was to pursue birds, with food in their mouths
Suitable for humans, snatching from them.
Then the birds would follow and snatch it back
And they would all be singing to each other gaily for miles
Parting at last with mutual expressions of goodwill
“Save him, save him”, they cried
Looking with horror at the cruel sea far below

We’re hanging from our ankles
We’re hanging from this spot
We're hanging from our ankles
...from this spot
My hand brings you back up on to dreary land,
to (?)form our end, form...(?)

(I’ve been trapped here for one hundred years
Blood, women and drink have been my only vessels on this vessel
Isn’t there a way out, now?
Brave friend horizon, bring me back to fourteen)

Indeed, a million golden arrows were pointing it out to children
All directed by their friendly sign, who wanted them to destroy their way
Before leaving them for the night.
In an unexplored patch as they rose and they spread,
Black shadows began to dawn on them.
The roar of the seas took prey, this is quite different now
And above all, we’d lost the certainty that you would live
When at last it had been steady again, he found himself alone in the darkness.

We’re hanging from our ankles
(is this exactly what you wished for?)
We’re hanging from this spot
()
We’re hanging from our ankles
(is this exactly what you wished for?)
…hanging from this spot


Lyrics submitted by heartattack

Act III: Modulate Back To The Tonic song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

30 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Indeed, a million golden arrows were pointing it out to children All directed by their FRIEND THE SUN, who wanted them to BE SURE OF their way Before leaving them for the night. In an unexplored patch as they rose and they spread, Black shadows began to dawn on them. The roar of the seas took prey, this is quite different now And above all, we’d lost the certainty that you would live When at last it had been steady again, he found himself alone in the darkness."

    OnlyTheCloudson November 05, 2005   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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.