The Body Electric
The Body Electric: A Haunting Tale of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Lyrics
Said you're gonna shoot me down, put my body in the river
The speaker anticipates being shot and having their body thrown into a river.
Shoot me down, put my body in the river
Repetition of the expectation of being shot and discarded in the river, emphasizing the inevitability.
While the whole world sings, sing it like a song
The world continues to function despite the impending tragedy, symbolized by people singing as if nothing is wrong.
The whole world sings like there's nothing going wrong
Despite the world's apparent normality, there's an undercurrent of hidden problems, represented by the contradictory idea that everything is fine.
He shot her down, he put her body in the river
Shift to a different perspective, narrating the shooting and disposal of another person, likely a woman.
He covered her up, but I went to get her
The person responsible attempts to conceal the crime, but the speaker intervenes to uncover the truth.
And I said, "My girl, what happened to you now?"
The speaker questions the victim about the event, expressing concern for her well-being.
I said, "My girl, we gotta stop it somehow"
The speaker acknowledges the need to stop the violence and tragedy from repeating.
Oh, and tell me, what's the man with a rifle in his hand
Pondering the role of a man with a rifle in a troubled world.
Gonna do for a world that's so sick and sad?
Raising questions about the actions of individuals with power (represented by the rifle) in a world filled with sickness and sadness.
Tell me, what's the man with a rifle in his hand
Reiteration of the question, emphasizing the urgency of finding solutions.
Gonna do for a world that's all gone mad?
Highlighting the madness and chaos in the world that needs addressing.
He's gonna shoot me down, put my body in the river
Returning to the speaker's own fate, foreseeing being shot and discarded, with a sense of resignation.
Cover me up with the leaves of September
The imagery of being covered with leaves in September adds a natural and melancholic element to the impending death.
Like an old sad song, you heard it all before
Comparing the situation to an old sad song, suggesting the repetition and predictability of tragedy.
Well, Delia's gone, but I'm settling the score
Referring to Delia, implying a personal connection or history with tragic events, and expressing a desire for justice.
Oh, and tell me, what's the man with a rifle in his hand
Reiteration of the questioning about the man with a rifle, emphasizing the ongoing issues in the world.
Gonna do for a world that's just dying slow?
Asking what the man with a rifle will do in a world that is slowly deteriorating.
Tell me, what's the man with a rifle in his hand
Repetition of the question, now specifically addressing the man's actions concerning his daughter's fate.
Gonna do for his daughter when it's her turn to go?
Questioning the man's responsibility and actions regarding his daughter's inevitable demise.
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