Deep in the belly of a whale I found her
Down with the deep blue jail around her
Running her hands through the ribs of the dark
Florence and Calamity and Joan of Arc

I love the way she looks in her underwear
I lose my page then the plot then the book then I swear
She makes the most of her time by loving me plenty
She knows there'll come a day when we won't be getting any

The stain of the sepia the butcher Crimea
Through the wreck of a brass band I thought I could see her
In a cakewalk she came through the dead and the lame
Just a little bird floating on a hurricane

I was flat on my back with my feet in the thorns
I was in between the apples and the chloroform
She came to me often
I was sure I was dying
It was always hard to tell if she was laughing or crying

I thought I heard somebody calling
In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

Joan never cared about the in-betweens
Combed her hair with a blade did the Maid of Orleans
Said Christ walked on water we can wade through the war
You don't need to tell me who the fire is for

Oh bring me the love that can sweeten a sword
A boat that can love the rocks or the shore
The love of the iceberg reaching out for a wreck
Can you love me like the crosses love the nape of the neck?

Was it Casey Jones or Casey at the Bat
Who died out of pride and got famous for that
Killed by a swerve laid low by the curve
Do you ever think they ever thought they got what they deserved

Don't pity the bullet but pity the man
Who both find their place in the same sad plan
Who both are like the barrel going over the falls
Crying all the way down I never asked to be involved

I thought I heard somebody calling In the dark I thought I heard somebody call

General George began the day by taking pink little pills
Sent his men to the top of some hell of a hill
Through the whisper of trees came artillery breeze
He said I love the way the wind comes a'tickling my knees

Jane shot the apple right between the eyes
I was thinking of her when you came outside
Lemonade on your breath sun in your hair
Did I mention how I love you in your underwear?

Deep in the belly of a whale I found her
Down with the deep blue jail around her
Running her hands through the ribs of the dark
Florence and Calamity and Joan of Arc

I thought I heard somebody calling
In the dark I thought I heard somebody call


Lyrics submitted by gelosia, edited by alpacas21

To the Dogs or Whoever song meanings
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    General Comment

    Man, what kind of arrogance is that from "elgard" who says this is a "pretty straightforward love song as far as meaning goes"!? If it's so straightforward, why not inform us what is the meaning of referencing everyone from Joan of Arc to George Bush in a love song, why all the bible references ("belly of a whale", "somebody calling in the dark"), what are "the ribs of the dark", what's the title of the song about, and what the hell's so special about her underwear?? I think this song is about as far from straightforward as you can get, but maybe elgard would like to inform me that I'm an idiot. I don't know if I'd even be 100% sure that this is even a love song, but ok I'll agree that seems most likely to me.

    I really like the line about "Lose the page then the plot then the book I swear", which just brings a really great image into my mind of that scene. Great song, even if I can only wish I understood it a little more...

    nsteinmeon June 23, 2009   Link

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