Oceanographer's Choice Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Solario 

Cover art for Oceanographer's Choice lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

This is the quick reconciliation in the Alphas' turbulous relationship before they final call it quits. It's the deathless love (a monsterous form of eternal love) from Faultlines. The reconciliation is, of course, not out of kindness, but a struggle between the two, which is why the sex is described by using words commonly associated with fighting.

And the song starts off with an Icon of immortality and purity being, rather bluntly, stabbed to death by... well Death.

Anyone have any idea why it's called Oceanographer's Choice? My sleep-deprived mind hasn't gotten that far into gear on that yet.