The Pelican

ok, i'm going think outside the box and go ahead and assume that they aren't really talking about birds...

My guess is some sort of metaphor towards the "battle" between the have's and the have-not's. The pelican represents a kind of greedy, glutton that lives off of others. This could be anything from a greedy business owner mistreating his employees to a corrupt government treating it's people terribly. The point is that this kind of situation ultimately leads to rebellion; or in this case, a final verse.

God I love this band.

Bird is often slang for a girl. I think the metaphor here is for a gold-digging girlfriend who just keeps taking and taking to the point where the relationship is very one-sided and the boy starts fantasizing about how to exact revenge. The boy feels so put out by the girl that it is easy to compare her to a pelican (mine! mine!- finding nemo), an epic battle (300 anyone? ;-) ), or a theft which results in a stoning. This song is very dark but beautiful. Love those drums!

I Agree that this is a secret of some sort. The lyrics are strong. and maybe they are talking of just a bird. but who knows maybe a corrupt government.

favorite one song them.

I guess this song means people's assumption and prejudice upon others without really knowing them. So the 'take' what they just think.

the government? really? ...REALLY? and we're bringing in finding nemo and 300? gtfo people.

haha, seriously @ newcoterierotary

the good and bad thing about songs is theyre meant for the listener to apply the lyrics in whatever way they are most meaningful. whether its a significant other or the government or what have you. the band meant it one way but they don't want everyone to only see it that way. they want you to take it and use it in whatever way best suits your life.

i gotta lol @ gov but its not too far off ;/

I think this entire song is at metaphor for a relationship. Perhaps an angry lover taking and destroying the happiness of the other. They do this assuming everything will work out in their favor. Before long this turnsy into a nasty battle where both sides fight. In the end the provoker (however its spelled) will lose everything. They will eventually learn that their victim has the real power. They poke at them but don't realize that they're bitter enough to let their victim's actions control their lives. Being controled by what you hate. In the end they have nothing.

Don't forget the poem "A wonderful bird is the pelican His beak can hold more than his belly can."

I think it's an extended metaphor about someone who has a wide circle of people that they're 'interested' in, but is pissed off when someone starts poaching said people. Like when you take away a toy that a baby isn't playing with.

This song is a fat FUCK YOU, and everything before the first guitar riff is preamble. The subject is sick of sacrifice, and is now rejecting it as a virture. At 0'55, he's done. He is in the position of power "he holds the reins", but he's not going to sacrifice his own ambition or desires for whatever it is, a woman, Jesus, collectivism, whatever. It's his land, it's not your place to stake a claim.

The metaphore of pelicans fighting over a fish is about scarcity, and dominance.