In the Dark Places Lyrics

Lyric discussion by 2014 

Cover art for In the Dark Places lyrics by PJ Harvey

Just thought I'd start the ball rolling. It seems fairly straightforward here - there isn't too many metaphors or symbolism. She's saying it straight - imagine getting up in the morning as a soldier. Wash your face. Put up crosses for your fallen comrades. Then go back to war again. Fairly heavy thoughts. Maybe we could guess at what she means by "not one man has and not one woman has revealed the secrets of the world"

I think the most revealing thing on this album is that she doesn't really relent, an intense album with this the most intense song i think.

This is an amazing album. It seems to be a perfect blend of lyricism, raw emotion, truth and musicality.

As to what she may mean when she sings, "not one man has and not one woman has revealed the secrets of the world" maybe she is reflecting as a nihilist and fears with our unlimited means we are incapable of progress.

Perhaps this person is viewing history through the lens "not much has changed (fighting/conflict continues to dominate history) and even with all of these gifts at our feet, mankind (non-gender specific) has failed to transcend to a...

Hi ai9652. That makes brilliant sense - of course that's what she means by that.

Was just thinking there too that while the first verse seems to be, on the surface at least, about the soldiers the second verse is from those that not fighting i.e. she says our young men. so it's either from the people left behind while they go to war, or even from the countrys point of view. The repetition of the dark places in that verse suggests fear to me, more than anything else. the fear that soldiers must feel, and the fear that those...

"As to what she may mean when she sings, "not one man has and not one woman has revealed the secrets of the world" maybe she is reflecting as a nihilist and fears with our unlimited means we are incapable of progress. "

Hmm... I'd go wit that, except for choice of the word "revealed" as opposed to "discovered."

"discovered" would jive better with your interpretation.

"revealed" seems to insinuate that they hold the secrets of this world, but refuse to give them up.

Not that I know what...