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.
February 8th, 1878
South of Trout Creek, west of Cedar Lake
On a winding mountain trail of the North Pacific Union Rail
The snow arrived on time, the circus train was running late
Rip spot’s past and all the knuckles worn,
Firebox bursting to the running boards
A pounding in his chest, crushing like a cider press
The hogger rode the throttle ‘round the bender like a flank-strapped horse
“Let’s return now to the dust as the dust we are;
Tonight, our bridal fate, the hour’s come to consummate!”
And drove her massive body like a truck into the iron bars
Limestone thrown from out the hopper’s back
Ash Cat tossed against the diamond stack
From cradle to caboose, the frozen bolts broke loose,
Sent that cage spinning like a dreidel off the icy tracks
Run on, Rabbit, run!
Before the East sky wakes the sun!
Sails set to the dreadful cold,
Until your anchor-heart takes hold
Run on, Fox & Bear,
From this dismal dream’s despair!
Cast thoughts to in the open ocean of air
Until your thread catch somewhere
“Mother, please come along!”
“My tusks are dull, my eyes, half-blind,
Too old to run, too big to hide,
And have neither friend nor enemy,
Nor that phantom, ‘self’-identity
Nor concern for what ‘they’ll’ do to ‘me’
Now, my children, run free!”
But Tiger, why sit still,
As the officers climb the hill?
What stars cast down their spears,
Cooled your fire with their tears?
“Gone that siren’s sound,
It’s a silence now pours down
Gone, my next of kin,
And all once without now lives within”
“Topiary Tiger, once burned bright
Save your tales of gnostic sight
And take heed on this (most) auspicious night!
Topiary Tiger, once burned bright”
South of Trout Creek, west of Cedar Lake
On a winding mountain trail of the North Pacific Union Rail
The snow arrived on time, the circus train was running late
Rip spot’s past and all the knuckles worn,
Firebox bursting to the running boards
A pounding in his chest, crushing like a cider press
The hogger rode the throttle ‘round the bender like a flank-strapped horse
“Let’s return now to the dust as the dust we are;
Tonight, our bridal fate, the hour’s come to consummate!”
And drove her massive body like a truck into the iron bars
Limestone thrown from out the hopper’s back
Ash Cat tossed against the diamond stack
From cradle to caboose, the frozen bolts broke loose,
Sent that cage spinning like a dreidel off the icy tracks
Run on, Rabbit, run!
Before the East sky wakes the sun!
Sails set to the dreadful cold,
Until your anchor-heart takes hold
Run on, Fox & Bear,
From this dismal dream’s despair!
Cast thoughts to in the open ocean of air
Until your thread catch somewhere
“Mother, please come along!”
“My tusks are dull, my eyes, half-blind,
Too old to run, too big to hide,
And have neither friend nor enemy,
Nor that phantom, ‘self’-identity
Nor concern for what ‘they’ll’ do to ‘me’
Now, my children, run free!”
But Tiger, why sit still,
As the officers climb the hill?
What stars cast down their spears,
Cooled your fire with their tears?
“Gone that siren’s sound,
It’s a silence now pours down
Gone, my next of kin,
And all once without now lives within”
“Topiary Tiger, once burned bright
Save your tales of gnostic sight
And take heed on this (most) auspicious night!
Topiary Tiger, once burned bright”
Lyrics submitted by Waltronnn, edited by MarcoPoloShirt
February, 1878 Lyrics as written by Brandon Beaver Aaron Weiss
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
if this song is any sort of an indication, I like the sound they're going with on this album. It harkens back to the days of Brother, Sister. Also, the William Blake reference is quite fitting...
William Blake - The Tyger
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears And water'd heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
I think that the Elephant in this song is a sort of Christ figure. She causes the train car to crash off the icy tracks by slamming her body into the side of the car, knowing she was unable to escape while the other animals can, providing an escape from their cages and the train while she is left to die in the wreckage.
After listening to Elephant in the Dock, I have to agree with the thought that the Elephant represents Christ. Here She is clearly willing to sacrifice Herself so that the other animals can go free. <br /> <br /> Just my thoughts on it anyway.
I think you're on the right track, especially because that helps make Elephant in the Dock a reference to "God in the Dock" by C. S. Lewis.
I absolutely agree with you here! Although I'm still going though some of the songs and trying to make sense with them.. I was thinking this ever since the first time I heard Elephant in the Dock. I feel like many parts of that song are speaking of biblical references and when the crowd says the elephant must hang.. its just like when they say Jesus must be crucified!.. I'll have to look through and comment on it more..
Aaron Weiss is one of the most underrated poets of XXI century! I also love the subtle reference to January 1979
It seems to me there are some pretty strong parallels to the story of Casey Jones and Ole 382 as well.
Read the story of Casey Jones' death:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Jones
Awesome story!
"Grist for the Malady Mill references him!<br /> <br /> "Casey Jones walked slow to the prison cell.."
yep, heard that one and was thinking "wow Feb 1878 reminds me of the Casey Jones story"<br /> <br /> can't wait to see these guys in Birmingham again
"We’ll return now to the dust, for the dust we are!" Genesis 3:19/Ecclesiastes 3:20?
Always count on mewithoutYou for Bible references.
and they do it so beautifully too...
I think the 2nd to last line is "save me from this auspicious night". and the line before it is different too. It's tough to tell with Aaron's lyrics though, because he's so careful with his words.
Such an intriguing song, I love the mixture of both singing and the older shouting. I love how you got the lyrics so soon after the song was released, so good job on that.
On a not, regarding the rest of the album. I have seen a few youtube videos of some new songs and they aren't all like this. The only other "hard" song Iv'e heard was "Fox's Dream."
On Amazon they had clips of all the songs and they were all great, but not as heavy. It seemed like a mixture between the Instrumentals of Foxes with the singing of It's All Crazy. Nonetheless, I'm preordering the crap out of the deluxe vinyl.
So was a tiger unable to escape at the end? Can't quite figure what's happening there.
Nevermind, solved my own question. The tiger is able to escape, but does not and stays in his cage as well...as he is a creature of habit (just like human beings).
February 8th, 1878 South of Trout Creek, west of Cedar Lake On a winding mountain trail of the North Pacific Union Rail The snow arrived on time, the circus train was running late Rip spot’s past and all the knuckles worn, Firebox bursting to the running boards A pounding in his chest, crushing like a cider press The hogger rode the throttle ‘round the bender like a flank-strapped horse
ELEPHANT [addressing the frightened animal car]:
“Let’s return now to the dust as the dust we are; tonight, our bridal fate, the hour’s come to consummate!” And drove her massive body like a truck into the iron bars Limestone thrown from out the hopper’s back Ash Cat tossed against the diamond stack from cradle to caboose, the frozen bolts broke loose, sent that cage spinning like a dreidel off the icy tracks
Run on, Rabbit, run! Before the East sky wakes the sun! Sails set to the dreadful cold, Until your anchor-heart takes hold Run on, Fox & Bear, From this dismal dream’s despair! Cast thoughts to in the open ocean of air Until your thread catch somewhere
ANIMALS: “Mother, please come along!” ELEPHANT [from inside her cage]:
“My tusks are dull, my eyes, half-blind, too old to run, too big to hide, and have neither friend nor enemy, nor that phantom, ‘self’-identity nor concern for what ‘they’ll’ do to ‘me’ now, my children, run free!”
But Tiger, why sit still, As the officers climb the hill? What stars cast down their spears, cooled your fire with their tears?
TIGER: “Gone that siren’s sound, it’s a silence now pours down Gone, my next of kin, and all once without now lives within”
FOX & RABBIT: “Topiary Tiger, once burned bright save your tales of gnostic sight and take heed on this (most) auspicious night! Topiary Tiger, once burned bright”
English's not my native language. Please, can some one explain to me this line:
what is Rip spot?
A RIP spot is an area on a rail line where a train can stop for minor repairs before continuing on. <br /> <br /> The point here being that the train is moving very quickly trying to make it on time, and the train is struggling because it didn't receive the repairs at the RIP spot.
Well versed in English; not so much with trains. I had no idea what a RIP Spot was, so thank you for the information.