Lyrics
In an open field at dusk, to footfalls I awoke
In an open field at dusk, I woke up to the sound of footsteps.
Marching ants across my temples, oh
Feeling the sensation of marching ants on my temples.
Their feet had no intention
The ants moved without purpose.
They followed some magnetic drum
They were following an instinctual or magnetic force.
Prisoners of their destination
Symbolizing people confined by their predetermined paths.
From the slats of the factory come
From the factory, echoes of the past where they once made rails.
Where once they did make rails
A reference to the peculiar songs of Old Death.
Old Death's peculiar songs
Old Death was unaware of being observed.
He didn't know I was listening
He confidently expressed himself, unaware of a listener.
So he crowed out nice and long
Old Death's proclamation to spiders, lumber, dust, hunger, and lust.
To the spiders and the lumber
Refers to Old Death's rhythmic steps and actions.
And the dust of his conquest
Symbolizing the aftermath of Old Death's conquest.
And his hunger and his lust
Describing the various aspects of Old Death's existence.
I heard his feet rejoice
The observer hears Old Death's joyful steps.
I heard him tap his cane
Old Death taps his cane, creating a rhythmic sound.
As if he had his own review
Old Death seems to critique his own performance.
On stage at the F and M
Reference to a stage at F and M, possibly a metaphorical setting.
I caught his words in my open mouth
The observer involuntarily absorbs Old Death's words.
I gagged and choked and spit them out
The impact of Old Death's words is unpleasant.
I heard him turn his heated hear
Old Death's heated breath is perceived.
My tiny heart beat in his ear
The observer's heart responds to Old Death's presence.
I was already running
The observer starts running in fear.
Oh, I heard him coming
The anticipation of Old Death's arrival is felt.
Shrapnel spitting from his wheels
Old Death approaches with destructive force.
His sobbing arms raked for my heels
Old Death's arms reach out with desperation.
I dove and rolled and hid my face
The observer hides and protects themselves.
And I said these magic words
The observer utters protective magic words.
My dove is home
The magic words emphasize the safety of a loved one.
Her breast is warm
-My dove is home
-And I said these magic words
-And fell down, down the ant hill for days
The observer falls into chaos and uncertainty.
My dove is home
Repetition of the magic words as a reassurance.
Her breast is warm
-My dove is home
-My dove is home
-Her breast is warm
-My dove is home
The observer finds comfort in the presence of their loved one.
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