Pearl
Ephemeral Revelations: Empty Country's 'Pearl' Unveiled
Lyrics
Grandpa Aaron prophesied
Grandpa Aaron predicts future events.
The year the messengers would arrive
Messengers are expected to arrive in a specific year.
In living ships
Living ships that resemble burning objects are mentioned.
That burn next to the sky
These living ships are near the sky.
Home from school
The speaker is returning home from school.
I'm on suspension
The speaker is on suspension for selling Ritalin.
For selling all my Ritalin
Suspension reason: selling prescribed medication.
Mare makes eggs
Mare makes eggs, suggesting a daily routine.
Then she gets down to business
Mare engages in business or activities after making eggs.
By 3 she's comatose
Mare becomes comatose by 3, possibly from exhaustion.
Dark den
A dark den is mentioned, setting a somber atmosphere.
Snowy television
A snowy television adds to the melancholic setting.
So I'm learning Cherub Rock
The speaker is learning "Cherub Rock" on an ex's electric guitar.
On an ex's electric guitar
Using an ex's guitar adds a personal touch to the experience.
A flat affect
The speaker has a flat affect but genuinely cares.
But I really care
The speaker perceives unusual things that aren't present.
I see some far-out shit that isn't there
A shared experience in the family represented by blood and dust-colored hair.
It's in our blood
Mare has been struggling since 1984.
And our dust-colored hair
Loss of friends is alluded to.
Mare's been toast since 84
Mare has been through difficult times since 1984.
She lost some friends
Mare lost friends, and the losses continued.
Then she lost some more
Mare sent letters and Violent Femmes to John Hinckley, indicating a connection or attempt at communication.
She sent letters and Violent Femmes to John Hinckley
Mare gave birth to the speaker at the age of 39.
When she had me she was 39
The speaker, referred to as "pickled Pearl," was relatively fine despite Mare's condition.
A pickled Pearl, but I was pretty much fine
Acceptance of the predetermined nature of the future.
When the future's written
Resignation to an uncertain future.
You just kinda have to resign to it
Anticipation of an eventual escape from mental confinement.
Any day
Recognition of the interconnectedness of actions and their consequences.
We'll escape from our heads
A desire to break free from self-imposed limitations.
From the chain of consequences
Escaping from the chain of consequences is a shared goal.
And ascend
An aspiration to ascend and overcome difficulties.
Mama, I can't leave you here in hell
A commitment to care for the speaker's mother despite challenges.
Anywhere I go I'm still myself
Personal identity remains constant regardless of location.
I'm a tunnel caving in
A metaphorical tunnel collapse represents internal struggles.
And a goddamn great American
Assertion of being a significant American.
Any Day
Reiteration of the hope for eventual mental liberation.
We'll escape from our heads
Repetition of the desire to escape mental confinement.
From the chain of consequences
Reiteration of breaking free from the chain of consequences.
And recall everything forgotten
A longing to remember everything that has been forgotten.
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