This is my first attempt at interpreting a song and its a bit left field, but here goes...
Black flies on the windowsill
That we are
That we are
That we are to know
I think the first five lines are a metaphor for being stuck in a classroom, trapped behind glass, yearning to be outside. The repetition of lines is synonymous with an old school style punishment, and "that we are to know" indicates they are there to be taught.
Winter stole summer's thrill
And the river's cracked and cold
This indicates a change in circumstances, possibly coming to terms with the routine and rigor of a winter school term, following a particularly good summer (term?). The "darkened plume to stay" is probably a metaphor for the Devonshire winter weather, dark clouds and raining non stop.
Still I'll be a traveller
A gypsy's reins to face
But the road is wearier
With that fool found in your place
I think these lines are about continuing to learn and grow emotionally and intellectually possibly unwillingly. “Gypsy's reins to face” to me implies being shackled to the task, unceremoniously bridled. The process of learning is “the road”.
And no man is an island, oh this I know
But can't you see, oh?
Maybe you were the ocean, when I was just a stone
I think this is about recognition of unseen talent, maybe an unwillingness to show (or see) talent or a fear of inadequate talent in the presence of someone who was either better on some level or possibly an authoritative figure. There are lots of stones, but one ocean; again a metaphor for being one individual within a group.
Ben has hinted that this song is about the loss of a friend but there are two lines in the song that give more of a clue on this.
Hope here needs a humble hand
Not a fox found in your place
and
But the road is wearier
With that fool found in your place
The "lost friend" seems to have had a specific role that was taken by a replacement, and the replacement was inadequate, and this has added to the bitterness of loss. Possibly a mentor of some kind? If the classroom metaphor is correct then perhaps its a teacher.
This is my interpretation. It makes sense to me anyway, because in many ways, I am the ocean.
This is my first attempt at interpreting a song and its a bit left field, but here goes...
Black flies on the windowsill That we are That we are That we are to know
I think the first five lines are a metaphor for being stuck in a classroom, trapped behind glass, yearning to be outside. The repetition of lines is synonymous with an old school style punishment, and "that we are to know" indicates they are there to be taught.
Winter stole summer's thrill And the river's cracked and cold
This indicates a change in circumstances, possibly coming to terms with the routine and rigor of a winter school term, following a particularly good summer (term?). The "darkened plume to stay" is probably a metaphor for the Devonshire winter weather, dark clouds and raining non stop.
Still I'll be a traveller A gypsy's reins to face But the road is wearier With that fool found in your place
I think these lines are about continuing to learn and grow emotionally and intellectually possibly unwillingly. “Gypsy's reins to face” to me implies being shackled to the task, unceremoniously bridled. The process of learning is “the road”.
And no man is an island, oh this I know But can't you see, oh? Maybe you were the ocean, when I was just a stone
I think this is about recognition of unseen talent, maybe an unwillingness to show (or see) talent or a fear of inadequate talent in the presence of someone who was either better on some level or possibly an authoritative figure. There are lots of stones, but one ocean; again a metaphor for being one individual within a group.
Ben has hinted that this song is about the loss of a friend but there are two lines in the song that give more of a clue on this.
Hope here needs a humble hand Not a fox found in your place
and
But the road is wearier With that fool found in your place
The "lost friend" seems to have had a specific role that was taken by a replacement, and the replacement was inadequate, and this has added to the bitterness of loss. Possibly a mentor of some kind? If the classroom metaphor is correct then perhaps its a teacher.
This is my interpretation. It makes sense to me anyway, because in many ways, I am the ocean.