This is a love story, albeit a dark and tragic one.
The first verse, sung by Brett, describes a man who goes into the desert in the heat of the day to find the elusive cactus, Queen of the Night. He finds it, among a poisonous creosote plant, and collapses there, eventually to die.
The second verse, sung by Rennie, depicts a woman who sets out on the same quest at dusk. She finds the same cactus and when she "falls down in the thorny brush" she feels the man's trembling hand.
The 2 characters die there and their bones are dragged away by desert scavengers. They are forever joined by their common fate. The tragedy is that if they'd found each other sooner, perhaps they could have found what they were seeking in each other and not in this dangerous quest.
Thanks to everyone who answered before me. You helped me play detective and find my true meaning for this amazing song!
Was just reading an interview with Brett & Rennie on Washingtonpost.com and she mentions that the blooming cactus is a Jimson weed. It's used as an analgesic, but is also a strong hallucinogenic.
Was just reading an interview with Brett & Rennie on Washingtonpost.com and she mentions that the blooming cactus is a Jimson weed. It's used as an analgesic, but is also a strong hallucinogenic.
I think your interpretation is mostly correct, but the female voice must be a spirit being akin to Mother Nature because:
I think your interpretation is mostly correct, but the female voice must be a spirit being akin to Mother Nature because:
1) She came "...walking with the wind", which indicates a spirit being.
2) She states "Mountain cats will come to drag away YOUR bones", not hers.
3) She says "...the stars will be your eyes", indicating the man's spirit will be of the heavens, while "...the wind will be my hands", indicating she will stay earth bound.
1) She came "...walking with the wind", which indicates a spirit being.
2) She states "Mountain cats will come to drag away YOUR bones", not hers.
3) She says "...the stars will be your eyes", indicating the man's spirit will be of the heavens, while "...the wind will be my hands", indicating she will stay earth bound.
Additionally, I think the "strange hunger" is her sensing death nearby, sensing the man's body is ready...
Additionally, I think the "strange hunger" is her sensing death nearby, sensing the man's body is ready to return to the earth (herself) from which it came. Thus, his body will "rise" (or be with) her forever as part of the earth, her body.
This is a love story, albeit a dark and tragic one.
The first verse, sung by Brett, describes a man who goes into the desert in the heat of the day to find the elusive cactus, Queen of the Night. He finds it, among a poisonous creosote plant, and collapses there, eventually to die.
The second verse, sung by Rennie, depicts a woman who sets out on the same quest at dusk. She finds the same cactus and when she "falls down in the thorny brush" she feels the man's trembling hand.
The 2 characters die there and their bones are dragged away by desert scavengers. They are forever joined by their common fate. The tragedy is that if they'd found each other sooner, perhaps they could have found what they were seeking in each other and not in this dangerous quest.
Thanks to everyone who answered before me. You helped me play detective and find my true meaning for this amazing song!
Was just reading an interview with Brett & Rennie on Washingtonpost.com and she mentions that the blooming cactus is a Jimson weed. It's used as an analgesic, but is also a strong hallucinogenic.
Was just reading an interview with Brett & Rennie on Washingtonpost.com and she mentions that the blooming cactus is a Jimson weed. It's used as an analgesic, but is also a strong hallucinogenic.
Great interpretation! Also, I see what you did there.
Great interpretation! Also, I see what you did there.
I think your interpretation is mostly correct, but the female voice must be a spirit being akin to Mother Nature because:
I think your interpretation is mostly correct, but the female voice must be a spirit being akin to Mother Nature because:
1) She came "...walking with the wind", which indicates a spirit being. 2) She states "Mountain cats will come to drag away YOUR bones", not hers. 3) She says "...the stars will be your eyes", indicating the man's spirit will be of the heavens, while "...the wind will be my hands", indicating she will stay earth bound.
1) She came "...walking with the wind", which indicates a spirit being. 2) She states "Mountain cats will come to drag away YOUR bones", not hers. 3) She says "...the stars will be your eyes", indicating the man's spirit will be of the heavens, while "...the wind will be my hands", indicating she will stay earth bound.
Additionally, I think the "strange hunger" is her sensing death nearby, sensing the man's body is ready...
Additionally, I think the "strange hunger" is her sensing death nearby, sensing the man's body is ready to return to the earth (herself) from which it came. Thus, his body will "rise" (or be with) her forever as part of the earth, her body.
@segdeha Great!
@segdeha Great!