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The Matter Lyrics
I know it makes you feel sad
Then you look at me that way
Your hands hold on the railing
As we glide across the bay
With everything uncertain
It's easy to defend
But we do not talk of feelings
And you know I can't pretend
I don't believe in the power of love
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
La la la la
I listen to you breathing
Its steady and its slow
We lie close to the ceiling
I think of children in our home
But the quiet in the quarters
Stirs me from the thought
I might leave tommorow
To feel the joy of a new start
I don't believe in the power of love
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
In the morning many seabirds
On the icy wind arive
Never crowding their companions
Against the blinding sky they die
I think about you sleeping
How you'll miss the morning tide
But my stomach is uneasy
And I choose to stay outside
I don't believe in the power of love
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
I'm not alone
Then you look at me that way
Your hands hold on the railing
As we glide across the bay
It's easy to defend
But we do not talk of feelings
And you know I can't pretend
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
La la la la
Its steady and its slow
We lie close to the ceiling
I think of children in our home
Stirs me from the thought
I might leave tommorow
To feel the joy of a new start
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
On the icy wind arive
Never crowding their companions
Against the blinding sky they die
How you'll miss the morning tide
But my stomach is uneasy
And I choose to stay outside
I don't believe in the wisdom of stone
I don't believe in a God or the mind
I'm not alone
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this sounds like someone trying to convince themselves that they aren't tied down. the statements that she doesn't believe in the power of love, the wisdom or stone, a God, or the mind are her own attempts at talking herself out of becoming attached to someone, or explaining why she's leaving. the first 8 lines
"I know it makes you feel sad Then you look at me that way Your hands hold on the railing As we glide across the bay
With everything uncertain It's easy to defend But we do not talk of feelings And you know I can't pretend" appear to be about her finally telling someone she's leaving them. she loves him/her, but she's a free spirit of sorts, and she can't pretend that she doesn't long for that non-tied down-ness.
"I listen to you breathing Its steady and its slow We lie close to the ceiling I think of children in our home
But the quiet in the quarters Stirs me from the thought I might leave tommorow To feel the joy of a new start" this suggests that despite her obvious love of this person, and wanting a lasting relationship and a life with them, she then remembers she can still have a different life/experience. that appeals more to her.
"In the morning many seabirds On the icy wind arive Never crowding their companions Against the blinding sky they dive" this also eludes to her wanting to be free, not crowded as she goes through life, with or with out this person.
I'm not sure about that last part about missing the morning tide.
Ok here goes,
The story is about a couple on ship (probaly some where cold) the singer has found out that she is pregenant. The partner dosent want to talk about it and is distant to her and her needs. She is upset that she needs to leave because she loves this person but she knows it must be done. she is very scared about what is going to come but she isn’t alone and that is the most comforting thought to her. There is much more to delve into but I think that’s the gist of it.
there is some stuff about freedom as well
The "La la la la" in the first chorus should be: "But I'm not alone" :-/