In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Disappears through a window
Out of my mind
Trying to keep him at home
Out and to roam
In the early hours
Leaving me here
Like Tamlaine in her Tower
You are going
To the empty bullring
Taking your red cloak
To regain something
Oh, you rolling matador
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore
The throw of the rose
It's all you lived for
But you've lost it all
Your red streak
On the plot where many feet
Left it incomplete
But you kept the meaning
You feel him charge again
And you feel him cut you down
Right on the spot
Where you thought
You were ground for good
These flights of fantasy
Make your wounds more sore
But you've every right
To even grab at the last straw
Oh, Lord
Oh, you rolling matador
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore
The throw of the rose
It's all you lived for
But you've lost it all
Out of my mind
Trying to keep him at home
Out and to roam
In the early hours
Leaving me here
Like Tamlaine in her Tower
You are going
To the empty bullring
Taking your red cloak
To regain something
Oh, you rolling matador
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore
The throw of the rose
It's all you lived for
But you've lost it all
Your red streak
On the plot where many feet
Left it incomplete
But you kept the meaning
You feel him charge again
And you feel him cut you down
Right on the spot
Where you thought
You were ground for good
These flights of fantasy
Make your wounds more sore
But you've every right
To even grab at the last straw
Oh, Lord
Oh, you rolling matador
Kill in your eyes
For the toro
That shut the door
To glory and gore
The throw of the rose
It's all you lived for
But you've lost it all
Lyrics submitted by stentorian
The Empty Bullring Lyrics as written by Kate Bush
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can't believe no one commented on this song yet! It's my favorite b-side and Kate's best in my opinion. To me, The Empty Bullring is about a man and a woman, the man seems to have pride issues. He lives his woman to go prove that he has pride and he's strong. But the woman does not care about this at all, all she wants is for him to be home and safe. I see examples of this in 'You are going to the empty bullring" usually, a sport to prove how without fear a man has, "Taking your red cloak, to regain something" he wishes to regain his dignity and pride. But that's just my interpretation.
Or it could simply be about a bull fighter trying to prove to the world he is strong, fearless and wise.
It's possible that the matador was injured sexually, and can no longer "perform" - why he escapes at night (and she's going out of her mind trying to keep him at home). "The throw of the rose is all you lived for, but you've lost it all." Regardless, it's a very sensitively observed song about loving someone who struggles obsessively with past demons ...
I'd only add that there's a LOT going on here for such a short song - someone could make a movie from this little 2 1/2 minute tune!
I really don't understand the line 'Out into Rome'. Bullfighting is the lone pastime of Spain, not Italy. Could this be "Out and to roam in the early hours..."