Me, My Yoke and I Lyrics

Lyric discussion by davidecoyote 

Cover art for Me, My Yoke and I lyrics by Damien Rice

Let's take a look at the metaphors, shall we?

Drum = rhythm: the raw, physical rhythm of sex. Book = story: a life story, finding someone to tell your life story to, using sex to make that person care, pay attention. Hand = hand: (just like it sounds). Fall = fallout: an emotional fallout from a tragic life story. Dog = an animal acting on instinct (see track 5). Rod = manhood, obviously, but within its context meaning "Hey, I'm a man, so of course I'm going to think with my penis". Shell = cowardice: like a turtle retracted in its shell.

It seems to me that this is a song about sex, and using sex to mask insecurity.

The words couple well with the music, as there is certainly not a hint of romance for all the raw, dirty lyrics.