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Surfer's Hymn Lyrics

When there are hard times I'll step it up
When there are dangerous times I'll spot them up
I'll take my time to make up my own mind
To set it up when the times are calling for a steady creed

How do I know it's time?
Even if I've got mine
'Cause if the wise do know what wisdom is
If I could err on every good side every time

Out on the water
A rider can ready
Though waves comes crashing
A good board can steady
I wouldn't ever want to bet upon the balance on what's going on
Would I?

Stay
What's in my way?
Got to have it to get over it

To have an empty fortune when I fear
To have a deadly weapon, as it's called
Which is an answer to a challenge made by anything
Then to always know just what things violence needs

How do I know its time?
Even if I got mine
'Cause if the wise do know what wisdom is
If I could err on every good side every time

Out on the water
A rider can ready
Though waves comes crashing
A good board can steady
I wouldn't ever want to bet upon the balance on what's going on
Would I?

Why wouldn't I?
7 Meanings

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Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

HOLY SHIT I CAME

Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

this, live at the jetty and alsatian darn give me visions of raging space sex in a room of spherical windows with mirrors floating around me.

Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

I'm totally just taking a stab in the dark here - I think maybe "Is it wise to know what wisdom is?" could actually be "'Cause if the wise do know what wisdom is", but then I admit I'm having trouble hearing the conjunction "then" or whatever that would logically start the next line. Great transcription otherwise though!

Lyric Correction
Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

I think the surfing is an allegory for dealing with trials and troubles of life. He says he needs a steady creed like a steady board. If you've got something to believe in, it's easier to meet the challenges of life. If you have a good surfboard, it's easier to conquer the waves.

Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

I'm totally just taking a stab in the dark here - I think maybe "Is it wise to know what wisdom is?" could actually be "'Cause if the wise do know what wisdom is", but then I admit I'm having trouble hearing the conjunction "then" or whatever that would logically start the next line. Great transcription otherwise though!

Lyric Correction
Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

beautiful song.. i can't exactly tell what he is singing about, but it's obvious it has ties to surfing and catching the wave. the lyrics that aren't directed at surfing may be using surfing possibly as a symbol of courage, stepping-up-to-take-the-wave sort of sense.

Cover art for Surfer's Hymn lyrics by Panda Bear

I feel like I hear him saying:

"Stay, within my wave. What's in my way? Got to have it to get over it"

Anyone else? It makes sense ahah, but who can ever really tell...

 
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