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Outdoor Miner Lyrics
No blind spots in the leopard's eyes
Can only help to jeopardize
The lives of lambs, the shepherd cries
An afterlife for a silverfish
Eternal dust less ticklish
Than the clean room, a houseguest's wish
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
Face worker, a serpentine miner
A roof falls, an underliner
Of leaf structure, the egg timer
Can only help to jeopardize
The lives of lambs, the shepherd cries
An afterlife for a silverfish
Eternal dust less ticklish
Than the clean room, a houseguest's wish
He lies on his side, is he trying to hide?
In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth
Face worker, a serpentine miner
A roof falls, an underliner
Of leaf structure, the egg timer
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It's an abstract interpretation of the experiences of a kind of inchworm known as the serpentine miner, which eats the chlorophyll in holly leaves. Graham Lewis wrote the words while watching a BBC nature documentary; he was flummoxed when Colin Newman decided to, rather perversely, put them to the Byrdsy little tune which became this song, but ultimately approved.
That said, this song is godly. Ranks with "Map Ref." as one of Wire's best pop songs of their first incarnation ("Madman's Honey", "Ahead" and "Kidney Bingos" probably being the best of their second).
This is one of my favorite songs. I'm also surprised no one has really commented. I was first introduced to Wire, and this song in particular, by the Grays (they released a cover of it as a b-side). I don't even know what to say about it, but I love it. I guess maybe there's not much to say, it's a very simple song (and I mean that in a great way).
I don't think this song means a thing at all. I think it's an easy-listening song which you could associate with anything you'd like.
Thanks Cynothoglys. I've always loved this song and I always thought it was about a caterpillar but I was never quite sure abuot the leopard bit...
This also illuminates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentine_leaf_miner
I can't believe no one's commented this, I love this song.
I just love the line "He lies on his side, is he trying to hide? In fact it's the earth, which he's known since birth"
It like, signifies growing up.
Beautiful song. Just like all the best Wire songs, you wish it were longer.
Great tune, but the lyrics have me seriously baffled - a dream maybe?
Inspired by a nature show, sure, but I think the genius is rather in the wordsmith results. And in the melody. Imho this is one of the best pop songs ever written. Even in the longer single version, it's just full of talent and inspiration. Lovely.