I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I quit the carnival
It moved next door
I thought I'd had enough
But I want more
So now I'm sneaking out at night
I paint my face and shine my shoes
And go where I'm not supposed to
Cause I tamed a lion once
I stole his roar
I stripped his pride away
But he found more
So now he's back to take what's his
And shove my future in my face
And scare me back in my place
So soon, so soon
You've got it beat
'Til it eats you
I left my flaming sword
Beside your bed
I woke to find it pressed
Against my neck
You wept "Suggestion never works
So now I'm trying something else"
I shut my eyes, hold on, oh well
I felt a feather fall
A tree trunk split
Inside my lion laughed
Played violin
He said you should give up your voice
Before we both end up destroyed
I quit alright, he purred, "Good boy"
"Cause you'll believe anything"
And we went and copped
"And you'll fall for anyone"
And I said, "That's not exactly true"
Only you
I'll do what you do"
You wake in the hospital
In a thrift store suit
You hear your lover's voice
From the waiting room
You shut your eyes and pray for peace
Think, I'm not here, this isn't me
This isn't something I would do
I know the complicated truth
A make up mask, a lion's roar
A big top tent, a fire sword
But they're not real, they never were
And soon she won't be real either
This is the life you went and earned
Because you never fucking learn
And you could waste all of your years
Fixing the mess you're making here
So as her nervous breath draws close
Her dress heels click off their approach
You clutch your chest and whisper
"Oh no, what will I do?
What will I do?
My love, my love, oh, what will I do?" (Wake up)
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Oh, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
It moved next door
I thought I'd had enough
But I want more
So now I'm sneaking out at night
I paint my face and shine my shoes
And go where I'm not supposed to
Cause I tamed a lion once
I stole his roar
I stripped his pride away
But he found more
So now he's back to take what's his
And shove my future in my face
And scare me back in my place
So soon, so soon
You've got it beat
'Til it eats you
I left my flaming sword
Beside your bed
I woke to find it pressed
Against my neck
You wept "Suggestion never works
So now I'm trying something else"
I shut my eyes, hold on, oh well
I felt a feather fall
A tree trunk split
Inside my lion laughed
Played violin
He said you should give up your voice
Before we both end up destroyed
I quit alright, he purred, "Good boy"
"Cause you'll believe anything"
And we went and copped
"And you'll fall for anyone"
And I said, "That's not exactly true"
Only you
I'll do what you do"
You wake in the hospital
In a thrift store suit
You hear your lover's voice
From the waiting room
You shut your eyes and pray for peace
Think, I'm not here, this isn't me
This isn't something I would do
I know the complicated truth
A make up mask, a lion's roar
A big top tent, a fire sword
But they're not real, they never were
And soon she won't be real either
This is the life you went and earned
Because you never fucking learn
And you could waste all of your years
Fixing the mess you're making here
So as her nervous breath draws close
Her dress heels click off their approach
You clutch your chest and whisper
"Oh no, what will I do?
What will I do?
My love, my love, oh, what will I do?" (Wake up)
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Oh, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
Lyrics submitted by godphauther, edited by cybenddragon, krissy242
Carnival Lyrics as written by Kevin Devine
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
has everyone else heard the latest version of this song?
BEST EVER.