Lyrics
There’s a piano playing on the ocean floor between Havana and New Orleans
Describes a piano playing underwater, symbolizing a connection between Havana and New Orleans.
Drummin’ a requiem for the dead and the souls hanging on every poet’s prayer
Depicts a requiem played by drums for the deceased, with souls influenced by poets' prayers.
Running to the rock, running to the sea
Expresses the urgency of running to find refuge, possibly metaphorical or literal.
Prayin’ to the Lord please shelter me
Conveys a plea to the Lord for shelter amidst chaos and uncertainty.
But the ground keeps shaking, water is boiling on fire
Describes turmoil with shaking ground, boiling water, and fire.
Blood pulsing through their veins like the waves crashing on the
Compares blood pulsing through veins to waves crashing on the Malecón wall.
Malecón wall
References the Malecón wall, a seawall in Havana, as a symbolic barrier or witness.
Clocks stopping at twelve on the eve of a forgotten war
Mentions stopped clocks at midnight, hinting at a significant moment related to a forgotten war.
Luis drivin’ a ‘59 making it half way across the Gulf
Describes Luis driving in a '59, facing challenges halfway across the Gulf.
Stranded on the rock, stranded on the sea
Describes being stranded on a rock in the sea, emphasizing separation.
There’s a wall in the ocean between you and me
Highlights an oceanic barrier between individuals, hindering connection.
Dreams of reaching dry land, talking to the fortune teller
Expresses dreams of reaching dry land, seeking guidance from a fortune teller.
Prisoners pounding the jail like the waves crashing on the Malecón wall
Compares prisoners pounding jail to waves on the Malecón wall, suggesting a struggle for freedom.
Someone lost an eye, someone lost the truth
Portrays loss and deception, with someone losing an eye and the truth.
Trying to save face, oh ‘neath the eyes of the Virgin el Cobre
Depicts efforts to save face beneath the eyes of the Virgin el Cobre, a Cuban religious icon.
Shout me a line sister, shout me a line sister
Calls for assistance or guidance, asking for a "line" from a sister.
Oh I see your hands in the air, see you drowning on the other side
Observes hands raised in distress on the other side, witnessing drowning.
“Chief’s in the parish and the drummers in the square
Quotes about the chief in the parish and drummers in the square, symbolizing cultural and spiritual elements.
Walkin’ across the fire, walkin’ across the waves”
Describes walking across fire and waves, suggesting challenges and risks.
Sinner in the rock, sinner in the sea
Identifies a sinner in the rock and sea, possibly grappling with guilt or hardship.
There’s a sunken bridge ‘tween you and me
Refers to a sunken bridge, emphasizing the unbridgeable gap between two entities.
Running past the embassy gates, the Santería shrine
Depicts running past embassy gates and a Santería shrine, hinting at political and spiritual dimensions.
Blood pulsing thru their veins like the waves they remember
Compares blood pulsing through veins to waves, connecting personal experiences with memories.
Crashing on the Malecón wall
Reiterates waves crashing on the Malecón wall, underscoring a persistent and powerful force.
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