Lyrics
On a machine like this
Reflecting on a mechanical or industrial setting.
Everybody gets their hands oily
Everyone is involved in dirty work.
Smoke filled room nobody's lungs stay clean
A room filled with smoke, metaphor for an unhealthy environment.
But there's a difference between
Highlighting the distinction between two activities.
A swim and a wallow gives out a clue to how
Choosing between swimming and wallowing as a metaphor for life choices.
Things might have been
Reflecting on how things could have been.
If things were perfect
Pondering an ideal state where everything is perfect.
Ask for perfection
Expressing a desire for perfection.
P-p-p-people aren't like that
People are not perfect and cannot achieve perfection.
Any fool can see who are you to laugh at me?
Questioning someone's right to mock or criticize.
I am still standing on the chicken wire
Being in a precarious situation, possibly metaphorical.
Daren't look down
Unwilling to face the consequences of the situation.
But try and inch a little higher
Attempting to improve one's situation, despite the risks.
Friends on the ground
Receiving support from friends on the ground.
Say "come on it, the water's fine"
Encouragement to join others in a seemingly positive endeavor.
But I can see their frozen smiles from here
Skepticism about the sincerity of the encouragement.
When you give give give yourself to something
Questioning the extent of self-sacrifice and loss.
Is there anything left you can call your own
Reflecting on the diminishing ownership of oneself.
If I give give give give my body to someone
Considering giving oneself physically to someone.
Can I keep keep keep a part for me
Questioning the possibility of retaining a part of oneself in such a scenario.
Oh keep a part for me
Expressing the desire to preserve a part of oneself.
Oh leave some piece that's free
Requesting to leave some freedom or independence.
I'll do anything to please you
Expressing willingness to do anything to please someone.
I'll do anything to please you
Reiteration of the willingness to please.
But take me take me please
Asking to be taken, possibly expressing vulnerability.
I'm asking, but I'm down on my knees
Requesting assistance while being in a vulnerable position.
You're warm, a home, a place to hide
Describing someone as a comforting and secure presence.
You're warm, a home, a place to hide
-You're warm, a home, a place to hide
-A place to hide
-Pity, pity me pity, pity me
Expressing a sense of pity and the disparity in perception between the speaker and others.
You might laugh ha ha ha
-When it doesn't affect you
-While I cry oh oh oh for all to see
-Come on and laugh ha ha ha
-When it doesn't affect you
-While I cry stop stop stop stop
-Stop stop stop stop stop stop stop
-Stop!
An abrupt call to stop, possibly indicating frustration or desperation.
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