Switzerland

I am not familiar with any of Bison's other music, but I love this song.

I am not 100% sure what it means, so I'll give it a shot and see if I come out with a good explanation. :D

"We tried to sleep up in the banks of snow But soon discovered it was far too cold So we then retreated into town To find a place where there was level ground"

Climbing mountains is no easy task, literal or metaphorical. There are tasks in life, some surmountable, some not. I think this phrase is a metaphor for trying to accomplish something outside the scope of your abilities. "Trying to sleep up in the banks of snow" meaning a cold, unfamiliar place (sleeping in snow sounds difficult, eh?), "discovered it was far too cold", means they couldn't handle it. They then "retreated into town to find a place where there was level ground" meaning a familiar place the protagonists are accustomed to.

"Our drinks were hardly worth the price we paid But we thanked God for them anyways and With five minutes left we broke our backs To spend more money than either of us had"

Going along with the first verse, the protagonists are now in a comfortable place, a familiar bar. "Our drinks were hardly worth the price we paid" meaning there isn't much more worth to the drinks than what they were, beverages. When friends chat over drinks, big dreams and ideas come out, inhibitions are stripped away, we are very comfortable. But when I have had drinks with friends back home, it always feels like there should be something more to the experience. I am in school away from home, and having drinks with friends here is completely different. Being at home gives a sense of comfort, rather than a sense of urgency. "But we thanked God for them anyway" meaning the protagonists were still glad they were drinking together, even if it was a stale setting. "With five minutes left we broke our backs to spend more money than either of us had" meaning the protagonists do all they can (buy as many drinks) to make the reunion meaningful, but it is futile.

"Oh oh Switzerland You've taken way my breath now once again You've left me with a sense of compassion For the ones who Cant pick them selves up off the ground

Oh Switzerland I never thought id have you as a friend I'm praying it was not at all pretend I need you now To help pick me up from off the ground"

Switzerland represents an omniscient friend, one without judgement. The protagonist feels he left Switzerland (home) without a second thought, not paying any respects. But when he returns after an unsuccessful journey, he realizes this, and is "left with a sense of compassion for the ones who can't pick themselves up off the ground". He then returns home, and home being home, accepts him.

Overall, I think this song means we are all in this life together, no matter how big or small our dreams our. We always try and sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. "Switzerland" is a metaphor for a comfortable, warm place, such as home. "Oh, call home." It may be even more of a literal representation. I'm not sure, I have never been to Switzerland!

I would love to hear a interpretation from someone who has!

And don't forget, you can always call home. :-)

Happy listening,

Eric