Apocrypha
Ephemeral Reckoning: Arcade Fire's Apocrypha Unveiled
Lyrics
You officers that are stationed in front of the stage behind the barricade
Instructions given to officers at the venue regarding obtaining earplugs.
You will go to Mr. Maury Shapiro, the first aid man
Direction to approach Mr. Maury Shapiro for earplugs for prevention of headaches.
And he will furnish you with earplugs
Assurance that Mr. Shapiro will provide earplugs.
So as to keep you from having a headache
The purpose of earplugs is to prevent headaches for the officers.
If he runs out of earplugs, he has got some cotton
In case of a shortage of earplugs, cotton can be used as an alternative.
We will not allow any dancing, running up and down the aisle
Restriction against dancing and running in the venue.
Is that clear with everybody?
Seeking confirmation that the rules are clear to everyone.
'Cause I don't wanna be born, born again
Expressing a desire not to experience rebirth at the moment.
But not right now, cause don't take me
A request to delay the process of being born again.
Yeah but God said, son it's time to go
A reference to God signaling that it's time to depart.
And when you'll return, I don't know just yet
Uncertainty about the timing of return after departing.
But even stars, they die, when they get old
Comparison of stars dying with losing precious things.
The precious ones that we used to hold
Mentioning the loss of cherished possessions.
So if you gonna shoot, better hit your mark
Encouraging accuracy if someone intends to harm.
Send that arrow, send it through my heart
Symbolic request to aim for the heart with an arrow.
My heart
Reiteration of targeting the heart.
He said, this time I won't get turned away
Reiteration of determination not to be turned away this time.
This time I won't get turned away
-This time I won't get turned away
-She said, but Joan of Arc, a walk in the dark
Reference to Joan of Arc's experiences and darkness.
She said I've seen how the world ends
Claim of witnessing the end of the world.
First they love you, then they kill you
Describing the cycle of adoration, betrayal, and repeated love.
Then they love you again, and again again
Repetition of the cycle of love and betrayal.
She said
Repetition of determination not to be turned away.
This time I won't get turned away
-This time I won't get turned away
-This time I won't get turned away
-She said
-This time I won't get turned away
-This time I won't get turned away
-This time I won't get turned away
-Jesus Christ, what did you do
Questioning the rationale behind the suffering of Jesus Christ.
To deserve what they done to you?
-Jesus Christ, what did you do
-To deserve what they done to you?
-Downtown, see what we got
Dialogue regarding a downtown area, observing unrest or a riot, and commentary on the performance.
We got the riot
-Oh come on downtown, see what we got
-We got the riot
-We know something ain't right
-We know something ain't right
-I said, come on downtown, see what we got
-We got the riot
-We got the riot
-Hahahaha, ha ha, Arcade Fire ladies and gentlemen
-Wow, that was great
-We didn't upset him, was that part of the show or was he?
-You look gorgeous as well
-Don't often see an attractive woman playing the hurdy gurdy well done
Complimenting a woman's skill in playing the hurdy-gurdy.
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