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Parasite Lyrics
Lifting the mask from a local clown
Feeling down like him
Seeing the light in a station bar and
Traveling far in sin
Sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
Hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
Take a look you may see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
Dancing a jig in a church with chimes
A sign of the times today
Hearing no bell from the steeple tall
People all in dismay
Falling so far on a silver spoon
Making the moon for fun
Changing a rope for a size too small
People all get hung
Take a look you may see me coming through
For I am the parasite who travels two by two
When I'm lifting the mask from a local clown
And feeling down like him
And I'm seeing the light in a station bar
And travelling far in sin
And I'm sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
And hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
Take a look you may see me on the ground
For I am the parasite of this town
Take a look you may see me in the dirt
For I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
Feeling down like him
Seeing the light in a station bar and
Traveling far in sin
Sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
Hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
For I am the parasite of this town
A sign of the times today
Hearing no bell from the steeple tall
People all in dismay
Falling so far on a silver spoon
Making the moon for fun
Changing a rope for a size too small
People all get hung
For I am the parasite who travels two by two
And feeling down like him
And I'm seeing the light in a station bar
And travelling far in sin
And I'm sailing downstairs to the northern line
Watching the shine of the shoes
And hearing the trials of the people there
Who's to care if they lose?
For I am the parasite of this town
For I am the parasite who hangs from your skirt
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To begin with I interpreted this song as a reflection of Nick's depression. Believing he was in his own world of depression and even the happiest characters - "the local clown", was upset. Yet whilst everyone else around him in this "town" was upset he saw himself as a parasite you couldn't get rid of and was making everyone else around him sad. Maybe I'm just over analysing this song... Definitely my favourite of all Nick Drake's songs. But the more I read others opinions about him being shameful about being a musician and busking, the more I agree with them.
This song seems to be about the lonliness in this world. He doesn't belong anywhere, and there's no happiness in this "town" he sings of, which is really just the world in general.
"When I'm lifting the mask from a local clown And feeling down like him " even the clown which is supposed to be happy and light-hearted is unhappy.
everyone's stuck in that rut that they can't get out of...
"People all get hung"
Absolutely heartbreaking.
a great, haunting song
If the lyrics were the words of a person who feels isolated in a city environment, Drake in a way relates to this confusion despite his seclusion. The song has the tones of a person who has a conflict between mismatching inner and outer expectations and desires or being cold as a way to survive within the flock. It could be a call towards populations to move to rural environments, perhaps some self-sustained veggies and herbs would do great for you. A bit ahead of its time, perhaps even late. Maybe we needed more of this great music in 50s...
If the lyrics were the words of a person who feels isolated in a city environment, Drake in a way relates to this confusion despite his seclusion. The song has the tones of a person who has a conflict between mismatching inner and outer expectations and desires or being cold as a way to survive within the flock. It could be a call towards populations to move to rural environments, perhaps some self-sustained veggies and herbs would do great for you. A bit ahead of its time, perhaps even late. Maybe we needed more of this great music in 50s to push evolution a bit.
"Sailing downstairs to the northern line"
This is a reference to the Northern Line on the London Underground I reckons.
I think at least partly this song is about busking on the underground and how the business people in shiny shoes look down on musicians there as parasites? Could be an element of homelessness too?
@_grumpy personally I think it is about London but more of him comparing the 60s London commuters to himself
@_grumpy personally I think it is about London but more of him comparing the 60s London commuters to himself
I've been wondering about this for ages - 'falling so far on a silver spoon' what does it mean? Are there any hints that Nick Drake took heroin or is it some sort of reference to a priviledged upbringing?
Take a look you may see me coming through For I am the parasite who travels two by two
is he speaking as if he desire? some ambiguous virtue?
i dont know ive never heard it
I love Nick Drake