Lenders in the Temple

:) you are all very silly. it's: Mandala learn all about it right here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala

dear Conor is talking about a moment where a whole complex entity is destroyed. Like the practice of making a Mandala from tiny rocks, which is magnificently rich and detailed, for a whole year by Buddhist monks - which then destroy it in a second, only to begin a new one the next day.

the pink flamingos in the mall reference is directed at west edmonton mall in edmonton, alberta. conor has played a few times at a venue inside the mall and always talks about the flamingos.

I guess this song is about betrayals and things going badly... and it's definitely on the obscurantist side. Money lenders obviously refers to that famous scene in the Bible when JC overturns the money lenders' tables because it's so immoral and corrupt and has no place in a space of worship, but CO is also drawing a parallel to our time, saying that all that we hold sacred is being corrupted and destroyed by money/power/empire.

I think there are also underlying themes of revolution and the need for rapid change. (the starving children, flamingos in mall=decadence?, and obviously Jeanne d'Arc - but watch out if you're openly critical because they will burn you at the stake if they find out)

I think that () word is mandala because it's a sacred image that is often drawn with colored sand. Tibetan Buddhists spend months drawing elaborate mandalas and at the end, they just blow it away because the mandala represents the universe and the erasure of it demonstrates impermanence. (And that's a theme we've seen before in CO's writing)

This song may be about prostitution.

Temple = Love "Something so wild turned into paper." - Sex becoming a business transaction. "If I/you loved you/me, well that's your/my fault." - Love is not a part of this transaction (and you cannot expect reciprocation if you feel anything).

Just listen and read through with that interpretation and it all makes a lot of sense.

A short delay The parrot blues Little voices mimic you It’s not so hard to make that sound So watch your back The ides of March Cut your hair like Joan of Arc Disguise your will They’ll find you out And when they do Look out There’s money lenders inside the temple That circus tiger's going to break your heart Something so wild turned into paper If I loved you, well, that’s my fault A bitch in heat The alpha male Not something she’d ever tell Except when she got deafly high Then out it came like summer rain Washed the cars and everything Felt clean for just a little while A telethon we drunk dialed Those starving children They ain’t got no mother Theres pink flamingos living in the mall I’d give a fortune to your infomercial If somebody would just take my call Take my call Hello? Patterns in my mind now moving slow Sorrow all across the surface roads Smoothing out the edges of the stone The lights are out where’d everybody go alone Erase yourself and you’ll be free Men dull are destroyed by the sea All we are is colored sand So pay to ride the Ferris wheel Smile All that you can feel is gratitude for what has been Because it did not happen There’s money lenders inside the temple That circus tiger's going to break my heart Something so wild turned into paper If you love me, well, that’s your fault There’s money lenders inside the temple This crystal city’s going to fall apart When all their power turns into vapor If I miss you, well, that’s my fault That’s my fault

I think it's about trusting only oneself and being alone

i think this is my favorite song ever.

One more thing. = )

I'm quite sure he says "The bitch in heat, the alpha male." Not "pitchin heat." In addition, I think he says "telethon" not telephone and "vapor" not paper.

the title of the song is officially money lenders, atleast that's what he said at the concert, and i think you're write about the lyrics

this is my favorite of the new set. it has a really haunting melody and the song seems timeless. quite refreshing after the prada suits and cassadaga...