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Run Off Lyrics
Run off...run off...run off from the stream...
Run off...run off...run off into the stream;
Water rolls over me.
Run off...run off...run off through that screen...
Stop that;
They're pokin' fun at all the words that you write...
I stayed up all night.
I put the easel by the window so i could see you;
I put the glass of water up to my mouth so I could swallow.
The water rolls endlessly.
Stop that;
They're pokin' fun at all the words that you write...
I stayed up all night.
I set up a still life;
Still life moves around me.
I set up a still life...
Still life...
Still life moves around me.
Well the way that water's flowin'...
Gives the illusion that everything goes on...and on...
Well it don't.
And I know
you're disappointed...
Well this heart was a stone,
this heart was turnin' cold...
Well you put a paintbrush in my hand,
and water breaks through the dam;
And this stone is collectin' moss.
And I'm turnin' soft;
So run off...
Stop that;
They're pokin' fun at all the words that we write...
Stayin' up all night.
Run off...run off...run off into the stream;
Water rolls over me.
Run off...run off...run off through that screen...
They're pokin' fun at all the words that you write...
I stayed up all night.
I put the glass of water up to my mouth so I could swallow.
The water rolls endlessly.
They're pokin' fun at all the words that you write...
I stayed up all night.
Still life moves around me.
I set up a still life...
Still life...
Still life moves around me.
Gives the illusion that everything goes on...and on...
Well it don't.
And I know
you're disappointed...
this heart was turnin' cold...
Well you put a paintbrush in my hand,
and water breaks through the dam;
And this stone is collectin' moss.
And I'm turnin' soft;
So run off...
They're pokin' fun at all the words that we write...
Stayin' up all night.
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Love this beautiful tune, plus many others by this cool Michigan band.
Run off-- this seems to be telling someone to go along on their way, don't stay. It says the water gives the "illusion" that everything goes on. "well it don't". So, it's the end of something and the person needs to "run off", or go away now. He (the narrator) is stuck in one place (I set up a still life), living for art alone. But, life continues around them. He's dedicated his life to art, essentially, and the image representing the source of the art is a stream of water. He is a rock in the stream just letting the water wash over him, not wanting to move and participate in other aspects of life. This theme recurs in literature often. Like Orpheus in Greek mythology: the isolated, misunderstood artist (they're poking fun at).