This song can be deeply analyzed with the images both iconic and mythological with the cases of Stork, Owl, and Sirius. It should be noted that these are all animals. Birds are commonly depicted as animals of wisdom or special knowledge, likely due to their ability soar "contemplatively" above our worldly strife if we are to anthropomorphize further.
As it was pointed out by other posters, the Stork certainly represents birth. I dont think I need to go in any fine detail here, but what image holds the reigns of death? Is it the Owl? I think this complex tapestry of imagery actually points to Sirius being the keeper of death. Cherokee Native Americans pair Sirius (a dog) with Antares (a scorpion) as keepers of the end of the "Path of Souls." Sirius can be further extrapolated into Cerberus though it is a bit of a stretch.
That leaves the Owl. If it is not the keeper of life or death, where does it fit in? I loved this verse so much I'm going to repost and discuss it:
"What's this dying for"?
Asks the Stork that soars.
With the Owl. High above.
Canyons mighty walls.
Owl said "Death's a door,
That love walks through.
In and out. In and
out.
Back and forth. Back and forth".
These are my favorite lyrics from TV on the Radio. There are several "cyclical" images in the song. Stars, Tides and Storms are all cyclical images of death and rebirth. Stars die--born into new types of stars. Tides subside, and storms bring strife, but not before stars heat galaxies, tides rise, and with storms, bring water. Each image is a contributing factor to our survival on Earth. The images and the lyrics in this verse strongly supports a cycle of death and rebirth that we find in the religions of Asia. It is my conclusion that the owl can be none other than Karma. Karma is a cosmic "score keeper" that keeps track of life as it transitions through life, death, and rebirth and determines the next life's status or standing. Having seen all and knowing all, Karma if it could be personified, would be absolute wisdom. Similar connections should be drawn between the parallels of Karma and the Owl.
I was initially intrigued to research the lyrics of the song upon hearing the lyric "In and out. In and out. Back and forth. Back and forth." I knew TV on the Radio had some fairly intellectual views and song lyrics, so I wanted to see if they had faltered in this and had actually written a passionate/romantic verse. The reality of that line and the lyrics of the song are a highly contrasted with the crude meaning it seemed to have on the surface without examination. It is this line that solidifies for myself the cycle of death and rebirth outlined by Hindu and Buddhist views. "In and out"=="Death and Life"
This song can be deeply analyzed with the images both iconic and mythological with the cases of Stork, Owl, and Sirius. It should be noted that these are all animals. Birds are commonly depicted as animals of wisdom or special knowledge, likely due to their ability soar "contemplatively" above our worldly strife if we are to anthropomorphize further.
As it was pointed out by other posters, the Stork certainly represents birth. I dont think I need to go in any fine detail here, but what image holds the reigns of death? Is it the Owl? I think this complex tapestry of imagery actually points to Sirius being the keeper of death. Cherokee Native Americans pair Sirius (a dog) with Antares (a scorpion) as keepers of the end of the "Path of Souls." Sirius can be further extrapolated into Cerberus though it is a bit of a stretch.
That leaves the Owl. If it is not the keeper of life or death, where does it fit in? I loved this verse so much I'm going to repost and discuss it:
"What's this dying for"? Asks the Stork that soars. With the Owl. High above. Canyons mighty walls. Owl said "Death's a door, That love walks through. In and out. In and out. Back and forth. Back and forth".
These are my favorite lyrics from TV on the Radio. There are several "cyclical" images in the song. Stars, Tides and Storms are all cyclical images of death and rebirth. Stars die--born into new types of stars. Tides subside, and storms bring strife, but not before stars heat galaxies, tides rise, and with storms, bring water. Each image is a contributing factor to our survival on Earth. The images and the lyrics in this verse strongly supports a cycle of death and rebirth that we find in the religions of Asia. It is my conclusion that the owl can be none other than Karma. Karma is a cosmic "score keeper" that keeps track of life as it transitions through life, death, and rebirth and determines the next life's status or standing. Having seen all and knowing all, Karma if it could be personified, would be absolute wisdom. Similar connections should be drawn between the parallels of Karma and the Owl.
I was initially intrigued to research the lyrics of the song upon hearing the lyric "In and out. In and out. Back and forth. Back and forth." I knew TV on the Radio had some fairly intellectual views and song lyrics, so I wanted to see if they had faltered in this and had actually written a passionate/romantic verse. The reality of that line and the lyrics of the song are a highly contrasted with the crude meaning it seemed to have on the surface without examination. It is this line that solidifies for myself the cycle of death and rebirth outlined by Hindu and Buddhist views. "In and out"=="Death and Life"