Lyric discussion by makepeace 

Cover art for Lion in a Coma lyrics by Animal Collective

i think this song is about someone that has an image of themselves in their head but cannot fully express it to others for whatever reason, possibly lack of self-confidence - possibly due to being hypercritical of what others might think of them and also because of the fact that they had a shielded childhood in which the vital components of their personality weren't able to be expressed.

the title "lion in a coma" - says to me that the person (most likely author, unless he's writing about someone else) is the lion, which should be graceful and majestic, however he/she is said to be in a coma, which brings forth a somberness and piteous attitude towards the lion.

the lyric "i pack my bags and feel the family here is cropped by many hands that dig and plant me for the spring" speaks to me of emancipation and being released unto the world, but with an attitude to life and personality as a whole if you will that has been planted by parents/mentors.

the lyric "come dig me out my lucid brain" is a reproach to this, saying that they should have rather fostered the personality that was already there rather than imposing their own personalities/beliefs on him/her.

"i go up there and light a leaf and wish our turn was not so brief, i'm paler than a summer blouse that's packed inside a haunted house" re-affirms this, as the author implies that the a fair share of the lion's time has been wasted to a degree, and he/she doesn't feel happy/comfortable with the body and mind that has been created for him/her for the next journey in life.

there is also sexual innuendo, which i'll leave you to figure out. there is so much more to this song, but i'm bored of writing now and have other shit to do.

does anyone agree?

I really really like your take on this. For me this song is about an identity crisis and the depth of the lyrics put it at second for me on the album behind "my girls."

His allusions to "China town" and this line: "My nervous tick has got to quit my cheeks are chewed down to the bit" says to me that the singer has experienced pure ecstasy but that his joy is experienced in a place foreign to who he is... a place resembling China Town or a haunted house. I personally think that the "cheeks chewed...