The song title is perfectly apt for the lyrics.
In this song, Bjork is a story-teller, telling us the stories of how the universe came to be.
In the first verse, she is telling us about the theory of creation from Miwok mythology. In this story, Silver Fox and Coyote created earth by dancing and singing, as before there was only water.
In the second verse, Bjork references the myth of Pangu which is Tao in origin. What Bjork didn't mention was that Pangu's body parts became components of the world as we know after his death (his eyes became the sun and the moon, his muscles the earth, and so on).
In the third verse, she gives us some insight into The Dreaming, which forms the core of Australian Aboriginal culture. In this one, ancestral beings shaped the landscape from a formless land during an era known as Dreamtime.
And the final verse is of course the conventional Big Bang model.
Hope that helps. :)
I always felt that the second verse was the Shinto creation myth. The universe started with an egg (coal-black egg). The egg split to give birth to the first diety (the god inside burst out). Then from its shattered shell (it referring to the egg, not the god), the earth was made.
I always felt that the second verse was the Shinto creation myth. The universe started with an egg (coal-black egg). The egg split to give birth to the first diety (the god inside burst out). Then from its shattered shell (it referring to the egg, not the god), the earth was made.
I find this song very moving.
Next to the vastness of the universe our explanations for it seem so small and fragile.
Great post, cactuar!! I only knew 'The Dreamtime', just because the Kate Bush's song-'The Dreaming' (DRE-DRE-DRE-A-A-A-M-M-M-M-TI-TI-TI-M-M-M-E-E-E).
I can't stop listening this, one of the most beautiful songs that she ever has recorded. Perfect.
Beautiful singer and song. Who wouldn't enjoy those heavenly bodies whirling about. MOVE ON...
Beautiful singer and song. Who wouldn't enjoy those heavenly bodies whirling about. MOVE ON...