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Oven Lyrics
Get down and pray to the oven
She thinks that god is there, in there
Do you see Sylvia in the oven?
Colossal Fact, Daddy’s ex don’t let you read.
Here’s what she sees.
In the end her only friend, keeps herself wide open
looks into a higher ground
What did husband say was found?
She found - a daughter going on with her life
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
When it slips she says:
This Kansas wheat won’t break me
and another drink won’t take me
I can make it if you can
Strip it down wide open still
Was your head caught in that pill?
Was your life one big regret?
The smartest man she ever met
was not buried or put up on a cross
And she thinks it’s over, still
if that light won’t go on
There’s no hope in life at all
if the oven won’t burn
This Kansas wheat won’t break us
and another drink won’t make us free
The oven’s wide open, hold your breath and see.
Hold your breath and see . . .
She thinks that god is there, in there
Do you see Sylvia in the oven?
Colossal Fact, Daddy’s ex don’t let you read.
Here’s what she sees.
looks into a higher ground
What did husband say was found?
She found - a daughter going on with her life
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
I can’t juggle this
This Kansas wheat won’t break me
and another drink won’t take me
I can make it if you can
Was your head caught in that pill?
Was your life one big regret?
The smartest man she ever met
was not buried or put up on a cross
if that light won’t go on
There’s no hope in life at all
if the oven won’t burn
and another drink won’t make us free
The oven’s wide open, hold your breath and see.
Hold your breath and see . . .
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Does anyone have any idea what this song is about?
Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932 – February 11, 1963) was an American poet, novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Most famous as a poet, Plath is also known for The Bell Jar, her semi-autobiographical novel detailing her struggle with depression. Since her suicide, she has become an icon for many. Sylvia suffered from severe bipolar disorder throughout her adult life. The winter of 1962/1963 was very harsh and perhaps the second worst of the century. On February 11, 1963, ill and depressed, Sylvia placed a tea-towel in the gas-oven, turned on the coal gas, and waited. Plath laid out cookies and milk for her children, who slept above on the second floor, and sealed the door of the kitchen. The new nanny arrived but couldn't raise Plath's housemate in the flat below (he was under the effect of the gas). The children were found freezing,and crying out of the open windows.
That is one sad comment. Wow.
That is one sad comment. Wow.
This is such a brilliant song! Does anyone have any theories on what the link is between the Sylvia Plath parts of the song and the religious message?
Before I knew about the Sylvia Plath thing I always thought the Oven symbolized heaven, or a faith in some sort of afterlife (maybe it has a double meaning). The song is obviously making some strong statements about spirituality ("This Kansas Wheat won't break us and another drink won't make us free... the oven's wide open... hold your breath and see", "The smartest man she ever met was not buried or put up on a cross... but she thinks it's over still if that light won't go on... there's no hope in life at all, if the oven won't burn"). it seems like maybe a similar theme to their song "Devilboy" where he talks about the absurdity of how non-Christians are often demonized by religious leaders and told they're going to hell, etc. It seemed to me that the message was that people can still have faith in something important and get through difficult times without having to be Christian. That being said, learning the story of Sylvia Plath opens up a whole new, darker dimension to the song.
In any case I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on what the relationship might be between these two different themes of the song!