dress the part it's story telling time

sharpen your knives
watering mouths
clean your plates for some tender i

tell me how the story ends now

come home come see our place
our labyrinth
you keep pace

we push the boundaries
so the rules are bent
so it's give and take

come wallow in my sorrow
breathe your air into my lungs
what hides in my shadow
my worst fear is real life

tell me how the story ends now

come wallow in my sorrow
breathe your air into my lungs
what hides in my shadow
my worst fear is real life

tell me how the story ends now


Lyrics submitted by imagesofme, edited by Stockholm, plays

n Lyrics as written by Mark Lee

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

N song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

6 Comments

sort form View by:
  • -1
    General Comment

    There are two major themes in the VIDEOS for these songs, which is childbirth and religion, namely Jesus Christ in particular. This leads me to think that it tells the story of Mary giving birth to Jesus Christ. At the same time, however, I suspect that the videos are also about the life of Jesus, including his crucifixion and resurrection.

    In regards to its video, N is most certainly about food. Jonna Lee is made to look like a fish with capers on a platter of lettuce and tomatoes. Also, there are cups of milk everywhere in the forest, and at one point there are two big suction-cup nipples on Jonna's breasts. Clearly, there is a theme of Breastfeeding in this video with the milk.

    The theme of food is also continued in the lyrics, with "sharpen your knives, watering mouths, Clean your plates for some tender I."

    Finally, in the end of the video, we see Jonna (or someone) covered head to toe in what looks like giant empty plastic baby bottles. While the baby bottles obviously reference breastfeeding and providing for one's baby once again, it also can be a reference to how MUCH goes INTO providing for one's baby. Adding to that, the cups of milk in the forest are extremely high in number. The theme of excess is present in this video as well.

    One must not forget the religious aspect of this song and video, however. I believe that "N" also acts as a reference to the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. This is shown in the video with how Jonna Lee is dressed up like a fish on a platter: A common thing to eat in biblical times.

    The lyrics go more in depth with the image of the Last Supper. While the mention of knives, whatering mouths, and plates make the "supper" part evident, the aspect of the Last Supper in which Jesus Christ tells his disciples that one of them has betrayed him, and will cause him to be killed on the crucifix is shown in the lyrics: "It's storytelling time" "Tell me how the story ends now" "Come wallow in my sorrow" "Breathe your air into my lungs" "What hides in teh shadow?" and "My worst fear is real life" all emulate the themes of betrayal, not knowing who has caused Jesus' demise, and everyone's love and reverence for Jesus himself.

    For a pictorial aide, just look at Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" painting: The "wallowing in [Jesus'] sorrow" is apparent as everyone seems outraged a his pronouncement that someone at the table there has betrayed him. "What hides in [Jesus'] shadow?" everyone asks. Hearing this news of Jesus' imminent death is everyone's "worst fear [becoming] real life."

    JellyfishAndMangoeson December 28, 2010   Link

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

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Gentle Hour
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,
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.