Ontario

The Mountain Goats

I know what my weaknesses are
probably better than you do
revolutionary Chinese propaganda
the color of blue
I thought I knew what my weaknesses were
anyway
and then the orange tree blossomed
last Saturday
there was nothing in it but pain for me

I know what can hurt me real bad
and what can't hurt me anymore
I am learning to rise up with the sun
and I am learning what sleep good is for
I thought I figured out the world
and it's circular way
but then I saw the sun fall down
out of the sky the other day
there was nothing in it but pain for me

squirrel climbing trees in bloom
soft yellow light spilling into the room
my favorite records
my favorite books
the people I love
the people I almost love
light beckoning
wind whistling
hey hey
hey hey
daybreaking
river rolling
hey hey
la la la la


Lyrics submitted by fuckedupdog, edited by jtk1993

Ontario song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Commentwhy has no one said anything about this song? its wonderful!

    "I am learning to rise up with the sun
    And I am learning what sleep is good for" is probably my favorite line.

    As for what the song is about...well all mountain goats songs are about failing love, and the narrator is obviously experiencing pain. i think maybe the orange tree blossoming might have something to do with the time he fell in love, and the orange tree blossoming reminds him of his old love.
    ColorShowon March 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationNot ALL songs, but a lot of them. Likewise, I think that this one is more about desperation than anything else. Maybe how one used to be able to see the beauty in things, but he's tapped that part of him out.
    2006200720082009on May 25, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song reminds me of the four years I spent living in San Antonio Heights, CA. I had this album on vinyl and would listen to it frequently. The words evoke so many memories. I have always wondered if this was Ontario California or Canada? Does any one know?
    cwolson3on October 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationTo me this song is about someone's relationship from depression, and the way everyday things can evoke huge emotional responses seemingly out of nowhere. About being depressed when suddenly you are struck by something beautiful that pulls you out of your numbness and fills you with raw, choking emotion, all the joy and sadness you had been pushing aside released by something mundane for a moment. It's about in that moment all the things that make life worth living and trying to hold on to them, starting to get better.
    Or something like that.
    lysandercuron December 30, 2015   Link

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