Migrations
Migrations: Whispers of Longing and Lost Souls
Lyrics
Scarecrow in a pale dress
Describing a scarecrow wearing a pale dress, possibly symbolizing emptiness or a lack of substance.
Face pressed on this greasy gas station window
Depicts someone with their face against a dirty gas station window in White River, Ontario.
White River, Ontario
Mentions the location, White River, Ontario, setting the scene for the narrative.
Sidelong looks at boys
Observing sideways glances directed at boys lined up, resembling beer cans on a fence.
Lined up like beer cans on a fence
Portrays boys lined up like beer cans, possibly suggesting a dehumanizing or objectifying view.
Pissing away this blurry afternoon
Describes wasting time on a blurry afternoon through urination, indicating a sense of aimlessness.
And under her breath she says
Introduces the voice of a character expressing a desire to be picked up.
"Would you pick me up?
The character is light as a feather but lacks the courage to make an offer or take a brave step.
I'm light as a feather
-Though I'm not afraid
-I am not brave enough to offer"
-He was beautiful and mean
Describes a beautiful yet mean person who struggles to make things right.
Could never put things right
Highlights the individual's perpetual difficulty in rectifying situations.
At seven stole a bottle and chose his antidote
Reveals a troubled past involving theft and a choice of self-destructive coping mechanisms.
Faked his own death at fourteen
Narrates a fake death at fourteen, leaving behind clothes and a note by a riverbed, floating away symbolically.
Left his clothes and a note by the riverbed
-And floated away
-"Won't you pick me up?
Repeats the desire to be picked up, emphasizing the character's lightness and lack of bravery.
I'm light as a feather
-Though I'm not afraid
-I am not brave enough to offer"
-Station wagon full
Depicts a station wagon with a family of six, traveling the long way down the Trans-Canada.
Family of six rattling home
Illustrates a noisy journey home for a family in the station wagon.
The long way down the Trans-Canada
Mentions the Trans-Canada route, providing context for the family's journey.
Black bird on a hydro-wire
Describes a black bird on a hydro-wire plummeting as the family passes, with someone watching as it lands in a muddy field.
Plummets as they pass
-Who turns to watch as it lands in the muddy field
-"Won't you pick me up?
Reiterates the plea to be picked up, underscoring the character's lightness and fear while lacking the bravery to make an offer.
I'm light as a feather
-Though I'm not afraid
-I am not brave enough to offer
-Pick me up
-I'm light as a feather
-I am not afraid"
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