On 'n' On Lyrics

Lyric discussion by mathius 

Cover art for On 'n' On lyrics by Justice

Great song! Many clues on the fantastic video. I think I agree with a lot of the general themes and metaphors found in these comments - but I just thought I'd throw my 2c in anyway :)

SO I think these lyrics have several main threads running through it. FIRSTLY: The author is grappling with the eternity of endless generations, winding back to the mists of time.. each revolving around the dance between male and female from birth to death. SECONDLY there appears to be a troubled love interest, with which the author recognises he is just playing a minute link in this eternal chain.

So many of the themes and imagery revolve around this dance. I don't think this song is extolling the Genesis version of event; I think that the earlier verses refer to the creation myths that also postulate on the eternal dance of man and woman.

  • Before day break there were none

  • And as it broke there was one

  • The moon, the sun, it goes on'n'on

  • The winter better was warm

  • The summer children were born

  • And so the story goes on'n'on

= Creation myths, eternal mysticism, and a reference to the spring procreation of eternal nature, to which they belong (or want to)

  • Come women if your life beats
  • Those we buried with the house keys
  • Smoke and feather where the fields are
  • Green from here to eternity

= inviting his love interest to "join him in the dance" and pass on as a combination into eternity. To bring life back into a relationship that has all but died "if your life beats". Smoke and feather? To me this harks to more of the mysticism we use to understand eternity.

  • Come woman on your own time
  • Far far far from the virgin vine
  • Rising out from the dead leaves
  • Come back to me

= Again asking her to rejoin him, rekindle a love.. that is not a fresh innocent.. but as a wiser, more knowing love "Rising out from the dead leaves"

  • Oh sing your favorite song
  • Left to tears
  • Dreams it goes and then on

= Perhaps this means the more knowing love between them will be less reliant on unlikely dreams, and more on a realistic understanding of life

  • A vessel in the bloodline
  • The 13th zodiac sign
  • A stitch in time it goes on'n'on

= Vessel in the bloodline is a fantastic reference to the point of it all - joining as a link in the chain of eternity. No doubt with an understanding of genetics thrown in.

  • Someday the grapes will be wine
  • Someday you will be mine
  • And so the story goes on'n'on

= The rekindled relationship will one day bear fruit - they will join eternity through love and having children - and join eternity