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Say Uncle Lyrics
everyone agrees it came too soon
it was only meant to be an intersection
you kept fear of death in back pocket of your jeans
in the palm of your hand, affection
it came like a sudden gust of wind
leaving them, bewildered, to ask how
I recall last time we met you said we'd meet again
the irony is only bitter now
these days everyone cries "say uncle"
they want to touch your spirit lest it die
for this your sons and widow gather with us at the table
to form a healing circle for our new demise
these days everyone cries "say uncle"
I retrieve the memories quickly as I can
add them to the portrait we all draw in our minds
your body gone, we shall keep the man
I close my eyes and hope they do not fade
these remnants of a voice and of a smile
images of landscape cloaked in forest green
like your life unfolding mile by mile
a fierce embrace, a word of thanks
a cheerful whistle and hours in a van
somehow these pieces must bring back the man you were
though the ocean claims your ashes on the sand
it was only meant to be an intersection
you kept fear of death in back pocket of your jeans
in the palm of your hand, affection
leaving them, bewildered, to ask how
I recall last time we met you said we'd meet again
the irony is only bitter now
they want to touch your spirit lest it die
for this your sons and widow gather with us at the table
to form a healing circle for our new demise
these days everyone cries "say uncle"
I retrieve the memories quickly as I can
add them to the portrait we all draw in our minds
your body gone, we shall keep the man
these remnants of a voice and of a smile
images of landscape cloaked in forest green
like your life unfolding mile by mile
a cheerful whistle and hours in a van
somehow these pieces must bring back the man you were
though the ocean claims your ashes on the sand
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I believe this is about death, it's haunting and beautiful
I think this song is written as a tribute to one of her uncles who likely died in a car crash. The title of the song is a play on words - everyone cries "say uncle" because they give up so easily, yet her uncle as she remembers him is a man with a warm, indomitable spirit who inspires people to do the opposite.
Another interesting thing about the title, in Chinese culture, many people will tell their children "叫叔叔" (call/say uncle [hello]) to greet their uncles or just adult friends of theirs. To name the song Say Uncle, she not only brings to fact the irony of phrase in contrast to the actual man (these days everyone cries "say uncle" / they want to touch your spirit lest it die), but also as a sign of respect in memory of him (these days everyone cries "say uncle" / I retrieve the memories quickly as I can).
Say uncle means giving up, at least according to urban dictionary, so I think it says that it's okay to cry at this point.
Say uncle means giving up, at least according to urban dictionary, so I think it says that it's okay to cry at this point.
The å«å”å” thing is exactly what I first thought! Haha yay Chinese-derivative culture. (:
The å«å”å” thing is exactly what I first thought! Haha yay Chinese-derivative culture. (:
I'm not sure if that's what she meant, but I wouldn't rule it out, because it's a hugely pervasive part of the Chinese familial/social culture of the last few generations.
I'm not sure if that's what she meant, but I wouldn't rule it out, because it's a hugely pervasive part of the Chinese familial/social culture of the last few generations.