i'm surprised beck doesn't have more comments. his music is more poetry than song, it's fun to decipher. though obviously open to more interpretation, i think 'derelict' is mocking society for ignoring their moral obligations and for being ignorant to the problems that face them ("..put my eyes in a paper bag") and feel that they're more comfortable staying grounded rather than taking action ("dropped my anchor...unpacked my suitcase and threw it away..."), while cursing those who DO take action/can't live sitting down ("..shooting venom at the passers-by").
i'm surprised beck doesn't have more comments. his music is more poetry than song, it's fun to decipher. though obviously open to more interpretation, i think 'derelict' is mocking society for ignoring their moral obligations and for being ignorant to the problems that face them ("..put my eyes in a paper bag") and feel that they're more comfortable staying grounded rather than taking action ("dropped my anchor...unpacked my suitcase and threw it away..."), while cursing those who DO take action/can't live sitting down ("..shooting venom at the passers-by").