We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the APT
We'll stumble through the yard

Force fields explorer racing home the ancient star
Yellow mixed with golden hue
Scan the graveyard dead there be

Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain

We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the yard
We'll stumble through the APT
We'll stumble through the yard

Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain

It was round about midnight, hipster town, imagine going for a walk
Things get around to taking place, it's not a waste of time
The rich got a little poorer
Things get around to taking place if they're going to happen at all
Don't need that jazz, don't need that stuff
It was round about midnight, hipster town
It was round about midnight, hipster town

Force fields explorer racing home the ancient star
Yellow mixed with golden hue
Scan the graveyard dead there be

Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain
Ball and chain, ball and chain


Lyrics submitted by Stoney, edited by adzre, quamp, jankout

Stumble Lyrics as written by Peter Buck Bill Berry

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Stumble song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Lyrics do not speak to me in this song, but the melody does, I agree w/ "All is a Dream" and no idea what APT means, other than apartment. My only stab at the lyrics is "we'll stumble through the yard" could mean anything from a metaphor about stumbling through life as best you can...to some specific event - not sure.

    adzreon March 13, 2012   Link
  • +1
    Song Fact

    What is APT? From Tony Fletcher's Remarks Remade, "Michael Lachowski turned his answering machine into the “Athens Party Telephone”, on which he would leave details of the night's choice of events."

    mjkrookeron July 06, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    really happy no one commented here. pure rubbish.

    farmer44on January 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    These are not the lyrics to "Stumble" in any way, these are the lyrics to another song on "Chronic Town" album, called "Carnival of Sorts (boxcars)".

    adzreon June 26, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always thought it meant Athens Public Transit...

    haulinoateson May 25, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    \'Home the ancient star\' is so completely evocative that it fills the songs meaning with golden hue

    exobscuraon March 28, 2022   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The lyrics remind me of the nightlife I lived back in the '80's. I traveled the NYC subways to get where I was going, blasted on hallucinogenics that hit me too soon. I was a night creature. I feel these lyrics as being for those of us who lived the life at night, who were together yet alone. I used to have that sense of isolation, that others couldn't know unless they were like me. I know the words appear as nonsensical, but I believe they are meant to be felt, not figured out.

    SubwayGoddesson August 21, 2022   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion

    I presume you mean the lyrics. Yes, the lyrics are garbage, and in the early days they were supposed to be, but I love the actual tune here. I love the distinctive, jangly guitar work from Peter Buck and the quality drumming from Bill Berry. The whole thing works for me and I love it! :)

    All Is Dreamon March 05, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    What the fuck does A P T stand for?

    heymama94on January 05, 2012   Link

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