As was stated above, this song was written about Matthew Good's run with MGB. My interpretation of the first and second verse is that, to that point, he was in that position where people just wanted him to sell out. Just shut up and do what people tell you to do, take direction and keep some cheesy ass-kissing smile on your face while you do it. And it was becoming a "life's work." A chore.
I think the phrase "while we were hunting rabbits," is meant to mean while MGB was in progression. Still together, still making music, still driving toward a goal that they'd begun to lose sight of. And by "came across a clear," it was like Matt's realization that the band had strewn from it's initial inspiration and meaning, and it wasn't what he'd intended it to be anymore. By being a soldier, he was toughing it out, continuing to make his music, but not actually enjoying it anymore.
"I dance, and I sign, and I am a monkey in a long line of kings." This, to me, is about the conformity he was being forced into in the music industry.
"I'm just a boat on the ocean, and I'm just a ship lost at sea." This, as others have also stated, is my favourite part of the song. Because to me, this is where Matt is defining himself. It's where he is waking up and coming to these realizations, and having the strength to venture out on his own and reconnect with his original intentions with music. The ocean is a vast expanse of apparent nothingness, and he's basically throwing himself out there, and hoping that he ends up finding his way.
As was stated above, this song was written about Matthew Good's run with MGB. My interpretation of the first and second verse is that, to that point, he was in that position where people just wanted him to sell out. Just shut up and do what people tell you to do, take direction and keep some cheesy ass-kissing smile on your face while you do it. And it was becoming a "life's work." A chore.
I think the phrase "while we were hunting rabbits," is meant to mean while MGB was in progression. Still together, still making music, still driving toward a goal that they'd begun to lose sight of. And by "came across a clear," it was like Matt's realization that the band had strewn from it's initial inspiration and meaning, and it wasn't what he'd intended it to be anymore. By being a soldier, he was toughing it out, continuing to make his music, but not actually enjoying it anymore.
"I dance, and I sign, and I am a monkey in a long line of kings." This, to me, is about the conformity he was being forced into in the music industry.
"I'm just a boat on the ocean, and I'm just a ship lost at sea." This, as others have also stated, is my favourite part of the song. Because to me, this is where Matt is defining himself. It's where he is waking up and coming to these realizations, and having the strength to venture out on his own and reconnect with his original intentions with music. The ocean is a vast expanse of apparent nothingness, and he's basically throwing himself out there, and hoping that he ends up finding his way.