I've wondered about this song's meaning for years and never quite worked it out. Your interpretation is close to mine but i think the lyrics are too ambiguous for any one interpretation to be correct.
I've wondered about this song's meaning for years and never quite worked it out. Your interpretation is close to mine but i think the lyrics are too ambiguous for any one interpretation to be correct.
I always thought it was about two siblings being abused as well, with the older being the sister in the title. I've always seen it as they were running away together and then the eldest planning to go back, sending the younger on their way.
I always thought it was about two siblings being abused as well, with the older being the sister in the title. I've always seen it as they were running away together and then the eldest planning to go back, sending the younger on their way.
But then the second half of the song is where i can never decide on a narrative.
For example who...
But then the second half of the song is where i can never decide on a narrative.
For example who is saying...
"at first you will fail then you will recognize
the mistake was in giving what you never could own
you might be young now and you might be alone
you might have one thing that you do well
and people will tell you the world it looks this way
but they're all the same they're just useless weight anyways"?
it would seem as though its the eldest giving the youngest advice on moving on but then i can't work out why the next line is "so hunt him down hunt him down...etc."
why say "run away" only to turn around and say now go back and "kill that man"?
I like your theory on revenge vs christian compulsory love. An alternative theory i've had about the "love that man" bit is that one of the siblings was going to show love or compassion just before the killing, so as to make it sting that much more or make it colder but who knows.
I know M. Gira has always been ambiguous with lyrics and this songs a great example but its a great song and always sticks in my mind.
Two siblings and an abusive father. One stayed and got beaten; the other, younger, ran away.
The lingering desire for revenge, coupled with the charitable Christian compulsion for forgiveness. Which prevails?
@bored666
@bored666
I've wondered about this song's meaning for years and never quite worked it out. Your interpretation is close to mine but i think the lyrics are too ambiguous for any one interpretation to be correct.
I've wondered about this song's meaning for years and never quite worked it out. Your interpretation is close to mine but i think the lyrics are too ambiguous for any one interpretation to be correct.
I always thought it was about two siblings being abused as well, with the older being the sister in the title. I've always seen it as they were running away together and then the eldest planning to go back, sending the younger on their way.
I always thought it was about two siblings being abused as well, with the older being the sister in the title. I've always seen it as they were running away together and then the eldest planning to go back, sending the younger on their way.
But then the second half of the song is where i can never decide on a narrative. For example who...
But then the second half of the song is where i can never decide on a narrative. For example who is saying...
"at first you will fail then you will recognize the mistake was in giving what you never could own you might be young now and you might be alone you might have one thing that you do well and people will tell you the world it looks this way but they're all the same they're just useless weight anyways"?
it would seem as though its the eldest giving the youngest advice on moving on but then i can't work out why the next line is "so hunt him down hunt him down...etc."
why say "run away" only to turn around and say now go back and "kill that man"?
I like your theory on revenge vs christian compulsory love. An alternative theory i've had about the "love that man" bit is that one of the siblings was going to show love or compassion just before the killing, so as to make it sting that much more or make it colder but who knows.
I know M. Gira has always been ambiguous with lyrics and this songs a great example but its a great song and always sticks in my mind.