Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts

Thanks. Cokemachineglow.com has got a really good interview (cokemachineglow.com/feature/interview/wolfparade1.html) with Spencer Krug and they've talked a bit about this song:

CMG: Like, what’s a “Hungry Ghost”? SK: It’s – ok I’m going to forget the details now, so I’m going to sound kind of dumb…But in one particular Buddhist religion – and don’t ask me why I referred to something Buddhist – but there are these neat characters in Buddhism that are these tortured characters. They symbolize one of the levels of Hell. I forget the name for it – but there are a bunch of different levels of Hell, and one of them is this level where hypocrites and liars go; not the worst sins, sort of middle-ground punishment. And when they get there, they turn into hungry ghosts, that’s the best translation for it. And hungry ghosts are always thirsty, and always hungry. They’re sort of like that character Tantalus in Greek mythology: he can’t eat or drink, but he’s always hungry or thirsty. And these ghosts, they have really tiny throats, so if they try to eat, it chokes them and they die, because they only have these little straws for throats. I THINK that when they drink water it turns into fire. CMG: That happens to my grandfather. SK: Yeah, so Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts is addressing my own generation, I guess. Insatiable thirsts, and hunger for whatever…

that line "god doesnt always have the best god damn plans does he" is the best line on this album

There are at least three Modest Mouse references in this song, and I just noticed them all at once today.

"Pulls out two guns and shoots at the pretty, pretty pure white" Cowboy Dan.

"to block out the view" The View.

"I got water and I got holes," "I'm a digger of holes" Ugly Casanova's Diggin' Holes In Water is not on any albums, but was recorded at Dub Narcotic Studios

I think it might be "Now I would say it's in God's hands, but..."

Holes could also be graves, specifically, your own grave.

As for the line about god's plans, the previous line is "Now we'll say it's in God's hands" which is just a platitude, like saying good luck. I think that they're saying if you leave it up to god, don't expect everything to work out. After all "god helps those who help themselves".
And if they are atheists, how is that relevent? It doesn't detract from what they're trying to say, and they don't have an obvious religious agenda, for or against, so take it for what it's worth. Too many many good bands get claimed by one side or the other and it's pointless- so think for yourself and look at what they're saying, not if they ascribe to the same religious views as you.

Spencer's words on this song...

CMG: "Like, what’s a 'Hungry Ghost?'"

Spencer Krug: "It’s — ok I’m going to forget the details now, so I’m going to sound kind of dumb…But in one particular Buddhist religion — and don’t ask me why I referred to something Buddhist — but there are these neat characters in Buddhism that are these tortured characters. They symbolize one of the levels of Hell. I forget the name for it — but there are a bunch of different levels of Hell, and one of them is this level where hypocrites and liars go; not the worst sins, sort of middle-ground punishment. And when they get there, they turn into hungry ghosts, that’s the best translation for it. And hungry ghosts are always thirsty, and always hungry. They’re sort of like that character Tantalus in Greek mythology: he can’t eat or drink, but he’s always hungry or thirsty. And these ghosts, they have really tiny throats, so if they try to eat, it chokes them and they die, because they only have these little straws for throats. I THINK that when they drink water it turns into fire."

From an interview did. Can find the full version here: cokemachineglow.com/feature/2439/wolf-parade

I'm pretty sure that "I can't believe in those other things" is actually "I can't believe in those hunters and kings." Maybe a commentary on world leaders and they're willingness to fire first and ask questions later?

i think the lyric in the second verse is: Pulls out two guns and shoots at the pretty, pretty view I gotta keep thinking, things, hunters and kings

thanks for the interview

So at the risk of being the guy that thinks everything is about world leaders and war... I'm going to agree with Diamond Bollocks and say my best guess is the song is about our leaders and war.

My best guesses: He's calling some leaders hungry ghosts because they have an insatiable thirst for power just like the hungry ghosts he described are always hungry and thirsty "So I got a fist / So I got a plan" points to war. Hunters and kings sounds like power hungry world leaders as Diamond points out. Talk of new plans for the people and tricking people etc.. Digger of holes in the land == bombs? Not sure on that one.