By not considering the consequences - and therefore meaning - of our choices, we fail to take responsibility for our freedom, inevitably reinforcing power structures and turning the world into a more cynical place.

By not considering the consequences - and therefore meaning - of our choices, we fail to take responsibility for our freedom, inevitably reinforcing power structures and turning the world into a more cynical place.

While I appreciate The Antlers sparing a thought for the mass violence we inflict on trillions of other sensuous beings - beings who possess intelligence, subjectivity, complex emotions, and a demonstrated vulnerability to trauma (that includes fishes) - the lyrics focus on the means of their exploitation and killing, therefore taking the latter two for granted. And that's the same as saying their freedom and lives...

While I appreciate The Antlers sparing a thought for the mass violence we inflict on trillions of other sensuous beings - beings who possess intelligence, subjectivity, complex emotions, and a demonstrated vulnerability to trauma (that includes fishes) - the lyrics focus on the means of their exploitation and killing, therefore taking the latter two for granted. And that's the same as saying their freedom and lives don't matter. I don't hold this against The Antlers, as it's the common sense view propagated even by the vast majority of animal protection organizations. But to advocate for other animals in such a way is a disservice to them, and shows a profound contempt. The idea that the animal system, which is inherently violent and degrading, can be made humane is central to its legitimation. As such, the popular welfarist discourse around so-called factory farming ultimately serves to perpetuate even the very worst violations of other animals' bodily autonomy and dignity.

""This sophisticated strategy has diverted animal welfare groups from pursuing truly compassionate goals and social justice for animals. In effect, major animal welfare organizations are now directing much of their effort toward making people feel good about consuming animal products." John Sorensen, Thinking the Unthinkable (2014)

Ideologies of superiority; degradation, discrimination, and violence always start with other animals. Our freedoms are intertwined.

Animal agriculture is also the leading driver of species extinction, and a means of producing food so inefficient that if we got our nutrients from plants only (which we can) we would only need a quarter of the land currently being used for agriculture.

"What the public urgently needs to know is that there is no “humane” or “ethical” way to exploit and brutalize other sensitive beings. Because the animal system imperils our own existence, too, animal advocates meanwhile need to forge alliances with other anti-capitalist social movements, with the aim of developing a single movement capable of acting in defense of social justice, animals, democracy, and the living earth." - John Sanbonmatsu, Current Affairs Issue 55 (2025)

The song is about someone who has never loved and never been in a relationship. He feels the soil falling over his head because he might as well be dead with a loveless existence stretching out before him, and appeals to his mother as the only female figure of importance in his life. The "sad veiled bride" section refers to his jealousy of others ("loud loutish lovers" even), whom he presumably feels he is emotionally superior to and more deserving than, however it is these less pleasant male figures that end up with a woman. "It never really began, but...

The song is about someone who has never loved and never been in a relationship. He feels the soil falling over his head because he might as well be dead with a loveless existence stretching out before him, and appeals to his mother as the only female figure of importance in his life. The "sad veiled bride" section refers to his jealousy of others ("loud loutish lovers" even), whom he presumably feels he is emotionally superior to and more deserving than, however it is these less pleasant male figures that end up with a woman. "It never really began, but in my heart, it was so real" is referring to his imagination, his hopes, his dreams, none of which have or will ever come true.

The river is your anger. The dam is what someone breaks holding that river of anger back. Second verse explains what happened to me. My friend got in an argument inside 7-11. The guy was yelling at him as he stood next to me outside. I turned my head and spit. He pushed my head up against the wall and said don't spit while I'm talking to you. I pushed him hard. As he went backwards I punched him and he flew backwards. As his head bounced off the ground I came around and kicked him 5 times in...

The river is your anger. The dam is what someone breaks holding that river of anger back. Second verse explains what happened to me. My friend got in an argument inside 7-11. The guy was yelling at him as he stood next to me outside. I turned my head and spit. He pushed my head up against the wall and said don't spit while I'm talking to you. I pushed him hard. As he went backwards I punched him and he flew backwards. As his head bounced off the ground I came around and kicked him 5 times in the head ( a witness said) knocking the teeth out on one side of his head. I only remember kicking him once. ( blind rage/ "Washed me so far away" ). True story. 30 days in jail. Don't un dam a total strangers river!