Lists of swinging fists that nobody saw,
that were slicing through air
at the foot of a stair in a bar,
make beds of busted heads,
pillowed and puffed.
In some quiet and cordoned emergency ward
they left us.

So we always demurred
when an ill-advised word
from some enemy's ill-equipped tongue
sizzled and burned at our backs.
So we learned to dodge.

I guess we lost!

Staring down the cliffs
with my crew-cut,
I had turned twenty-three
and believed I was dangerous.
Lists of swinging hips down in the clubs
were holding their swerve
(I am perfectly sure) for us.

And a photograph says what a photograph is --
Holy shit were our faces so young!
and all pissed and thin-lipped
as we tippled and tripped. It was fun.

I guess we're done!

Lies and flying flies sapping our blood,
We fall down, sliding
down, slipping,
slamming the ground: We are fucked.

And I went down to the mystic,
all head-ached and heart-sick,
in line with the beggars and bums,
paid his price, and he slurred
"My advice is to turn and to run!"

I guess we're dumb.

Gather around, partygoers,
(that's if you're still living,
and not wasted, washed-up, watered down,
and not dead or death-wishing).
Because the trumpets can't blow.
The professional driver got lost.
The ruler and priests, from the highest
to least, have been lined up and shot.

How I prayed and I hoped
it would lead to some moment
when all of it just flew apart.
How I wished and I schemed it, from whisper to scream.
How I wanted to just hold your heart
in the palm of my hand,
and just watch as it slows
and it stops.

Call the cops!
We're star-crossed.
We've gone numb.
Well, it was fun!
But I guess we lost.
I guess we're done.


Lyrics submitted by Kozumou

I Guess We Lost song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    This is missing some lyrics at the end. I think they go:

    "Call the cops! We're star-crossed, we've gone numb. Well it was fun! But I guess we lost, I guess we're done."

    Fantastic song, especially that final verse listed here:

    "How I prayed and I hoped it would lead to some moment when all of it just flew apart. How I wished and I schemed it, from whisper to scream. How I wanted to just hold your heart in the palm of my hand, and just watch as it slows and it stops."

    God, that's just brilliant. I think Okkervil River is at their best in this song.

    DGeroskion August 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've been listening to this one over and over. Not to sound like an obscurist, but I think this may be better than anything on I Am Very Far, and I love I Am Very Far.

    digitauxon September 09, 2011   Link

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