Lyrics
I bring in the mail, climb up a tree
I perform routine tasks, such as fetching the mail and climbing a tree to hang out my clothes.
to hang out my clothes and I’ve hidden a key
I have hidden a key that could allow someone to enter and exit beyond me.
that might let you in and then out beyond me,
The key symbolizes a potential connection or access to something beyond the speaker's control.
as ever the weather may climb––
The weather, representing life's circumstances, may fluctuate, but the speaker remains steadfast.
your choir of souvenir carnival toys,
A group of carnival toys serves as a choir, disrupting the speaker's peace with a silent but impactful noise.
they shake me awake with a deafening noise
The silence speaks loudly, reminiscent of the end of the speaker's voice when familiar songs depart.
of silence that speaks like the end of my voice
The speaker feels left behind when the familiar song no longer accompanies them.
when the song I know leaves me behind
A reference to Absalom, possibly expressing a sense of loss or betrayal. The speaker questions what Absalom might say.
Oh, Absalom, Absalom ––what do you say?
The speaker's horses refuse to work without compensation, indicating resistance to exploitation.
my horses refuse all this work without pay;
The speaker attempted to influence the horses with beads, questioning their understanding of freedom.
I plied them with beads and
The speaker has worn a cape symbolically since ancient times, possibly representing endurance or resilience.
I’ve gambled that they
Reference to the Christian event of Easter, suggesting a long-standing tradition and endurance through time.
knew nothing of how we live free––
Despite the speaker's efforts, they feel confined at the station, separated from the evolving song.
oh, I’ve worn this cape
New characters, tramps from the river, are introduced into the speaker's narrative.
since the dawning of time,
The tramps carry fire, symbolizing passion or intensity, as they proceed on their journey.
since long before Easter put blood in our wine;
The speaker reflects on the longevity of wearing the cape, possibly enduring hardships and sacrifices.
and still, at the station, they keep me in line
Despite the enduring cape, the station's influence persists, keeping the speaker in line.
as the song I know sings without me
The speaker feels excluded as the known song continues without their participation.
Now, here come the tramps
A new group of characters, tramps, enters the scene from the river below.
from the river below,
The tramps carry fire in their hats, suggesting a dynamic and passionate presence.
with the fire that they made
The tramps move forward, fueled by their inner fire, seizing the day.
in their hats as they go,
The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of finding one's way home in life.
fuming and seizing the day, though I know
The challenges of returning home are expressed, emphasizing the rarity of such occurrences.
how rarely we find our way home––
Winners face challenges and scrutiny in their private spaces as cities undergo transformative events.
for winners get taken apart in their rooms
A metaphorical description of the moon's impact on cities during a significant time.
as cities burn down by the big harvest moon
The known song, despite the speaker's exclusion, continues to endure and carry on.
that rolls through the streets
The tramps' fire-filled journey symbolizes the persistence and resilience of the song.
like a birthday balloon
Metaphorical imagery of the moon rolling through the streets, likened to a birthday balloon.
but the song that I know
The familiar and enduring song maintains its presence and significance.
carries on
The song, despite challenges, carries on, emphasizing its enduring nature.
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