Sadly barely a handful of comments on what is, in my opinion, REM's finest track. The lyrics helped me come to terms with my mortality during a recent debilitating illness... it helped me face the fight with great dignity and not to fall down the "why me?" spiral.
Aside from this personal refelection, I understand that the lyrics are based upon the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. In this story a lottery is held in a small village and the "winner" is ritually stoned to death!
Sadly barely a handful of comments on what is, in my opinion, REM's finest track. The lyrics helped me come to terms with my mortality during a recent debilitating illness... it helped me face the fight with great dignity and not to fall down the "why me?" spiral.
Aside from this personal refelection, I understand that the lyrics are based upon the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. In this story a lottery is held in a small village and the "winner" is ritually stoned to death!