The summer that I broke my arm
I waited for your letter
I have no feeling for you now
Now that I know you better

I wish that I could have loved you then
Before our age was through
And before a world war does with us
Whatever it will do

Dreamt I drove home to Houston
On a highway that was underground
There was no light that we could see
As we listened to the sound of the engine failing

I feel like I've been living in
A city with no children in it
A garden left for ruin by a millionaire inside
Of a private prison

You never trust a millionaire
Quoting the sermon on the mount
I used to think I was not like them
But I'm beginning to have my doubts
My doubts about it

When you're hiding underground
The rain can't get you wet
Do you think your righteousness
Can pay the interest on your debt?
I have my doubts about it

I feel like I've been living in
A city with no children in it
A garden left for ruin by a millionaire inside
Of a private prison

I feel like I've been living in
A city with no children in it
A garden left for ruin by and by
As I hide inside
Of my private prison


Lyrics submitted by firstgreenroom, edited by Mellow_Harsher

City with No Children Lyrics as written by Regine Chassagne Jeremy Gara

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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City with No Children song meanings
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  • +5
    General Comment

    To me, this song is incredibly cathartic and teeming with conviction.

    I believe it is completely about being 20-something and lost as can be.

    Officially a man, but still not quite there, just caught somewhere in the throws of well above the legal age, but still not recognized by contemporaries. Its tough, and you want to be recognized by your coworkers, but it just can't happen. Its tough to relate to people outside your age group, and all of which are above you, and have no understanding of what exactly you are.

    Trying your damnedest, you try to live up to an old generation's standards, but simply can't, its like being a child in a city with no children in it; the people you relate to.

    The childhood hope about the letter, or even the millionaire (C.E.O. type figure with the same sort of inspiration) who has the same disconnect, just screams the meaning to me.

    The thing about this CD, is personally I see no political allegory. Past albums seemed to say that to me too, but as I get older, I actually tend to relate to the arcade fire more.

    Consmonauton August 12, 2010   Link

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