I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I see them gathered, see them on the shore
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness
The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Would be a gain
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually
So many times I prayed
So many times I've prayed for you
Prayed for you
The tears run swift and hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I've been a slave
But reach for the light continually
Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it's swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain
So many times
So many times
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness
The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Would be a gain
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually
So many times I prayed
So many times I've prayed for you
Prayed for you
The tears run swift and hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I've been a slave
But reach for the light continually
Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it's swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain
So many times
So many times
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Yo La Tengo
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
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Wu-Tang Clan
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Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
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In a metaphoric language, Sade talks about a woman who has been submissive to a man for a long time but her inner strenght has never let her for being taken to his darkness. And now she's about to release herself from him while all her smothering emotions (all her 'children') are waiting on the 'shore' for the righ moment to explode like a 'sea' of tears. At the same time, she's praying to God to move the thirsty for revenge away from her heart on giving to her enough wisdow for just ending this relationship in a swift way.