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Little Empty Boat Lyrics
You found me at some party
You thought I'd understand
You barrelled over to me
With a drink in each hand
I respect your beliefs, girl
And I consider you a friend
But I've already been born once
I don't want to be born again
Your knowledge is impressive
And your argument is good
But I am the resurrection, babe
And you're standing on my foot
But my little boat is empty, it don't go
My oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
My oar is broken, it don't row row row
Your tiny little face
Keeps yapping in the gloom
Seven steps behind me
With your dustpan and broom
I can't help but imagine you
All postured and prone
But there's a little guy on my shoulder
Says I should go home alone
But you keep leaning in on me
And you're looking a little pissed
That grave you've dug between your legs
Is hard to resist
But my little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
Give to God what belongs to God
And gives the rest to me
Tell the gracious host to fuck himself
It's time for us to leave
But my little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
Row row row
You thought I'd understand
You barrelled over to me
With a drink in each hand
And I consider you a friend
But I've already been born once
I don't want to be born again
And your argument is good
But I am the resurrection, babe
And you're standing on my foot
My oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
My oar is broken, it don't row row row
Keeps yapping in the gloom
Seven steps behind me
With your dustpan and broom
All postured and prone
But there's a little guy on my shoulder
Says I should go home alone
And you're looking a little pissed
That grave you've dug between your legs
Is hard to resist
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
And gives the rest to me
Tell the gracious host to fuck himself
It's time for us to leave
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
My little boat is empty, it don't go
And my oar is broken, it don't row row row
Song Info
Submitted by
smallwonderrobot On Apr 23, 2005
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I think it's a combination of all previous interpretations.
A drunk girl is hitting on him on a party, and he compares her seduction with trying to convert him to her religion. He doesn't have any faith and he thinks he shouldn't fuck the girl (because she's drunk? or simply because of the complications that come with sex), but she's appealing, and religion is appealing.
A boat is a religious symbol (Noah, Moses, Jonah), and it's also an euphemism to sex. He doesn't have any faith, and he doesn't have any interest in having sex with her. It ain't happening, it won't row.
Religion = sex. And it also hints to sex = death (''that grave you've dug between your legs'').
Very Nick Cave-ish concepts.
I read that it's a metaphor for impotence. Sounds so from the song.
I think Homicidal Suicidal and Arne are both right. Cave knows he's in no fit state to row, and that chick is frustrating him so
I think Homicidal Suicidal and Arne are both right. Cave knows he's in no fit state to row, and that chick is frustrating him so
Is the little boat his faith in god, which he has lost, hence the oar being broken?
hittin on a drunk girl at a party.