Lewis Takes Off His Shirt
Riding the Paradox: Owen Pallett's Liberation Anthem
Lyrics
As soon as I got on the horse I forgot about the math
Upon engaging in an activity (riding a horse), the narrator forgets about mathematical concerns.
Forgot about the odds against an adolescent
The narrator disregards the odds against a young person (adolescent) facing the challenges presented by Owen's anger or wrath.
Standing up to all of Owen's wrath
The intense heat of the prairie summer is challenging to endure.
The heat of prairie summer is impossible to take
The narrator removes their clothing in response to the heat.
I grab the hem and lift the fabric over my sweet head
The narrator is aware of what someone is seeking, and they declare they will not provide it.
I know what you're looking for
Repetition of the narrator's refusal to give in to the desired request.
And I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-Government rule established by a dazzling light show
Government rule is established through a captivating light show.
A hegemony armored with a thousand-watt head and seven inches of echo
A powerful authority is described, armored and echoing, with control over the narrative.
Well I keep up my velocity, my spurs are in her sides
The narrator maintains their momentum, unsure of their actions, heading towards a destination.
I don't know what I'm doing and it is the only way
The narrator acknowledges uncertainty in their actions but sees it as the only way forward.
Toward the range I'll ride, singing
Heading toward a destination, the narrator reaffirms their refusal to give in to the desired request.
I'm never gonna give it to you
Repetition of the narrator's determination not to comply with the request.
I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I am overrated, said the sculptress to the sea
The narrator feels overrated, as expressed by a sculptress to the sea.
I've been praised for all the ways the marble leaves the man
Praise is received for the ways in which the sculpted marble separates from the human form.
And I was wrong to try and free him
The narrator acknowledges a mistake in attempting to free the sculpted figure.
And as for me I am a vector, I am muscle, I am bone
The narrator describes themselves as a vector, muscle, and bone, with the sun and a horse as their companions.
The sun upon my shoulders and the horse between my legs
The narrator expresses contentment with the simplicity of their existence, emphasizing the sun, their shoulders, and the horse.
This is all I know
-My senses are bedazzled by the parallax of the road
The narrator's senses are captivated by the changing perspective of the road.
I concentrate to keep contained the overflow
The narrator concentrates to contain the overwhelming emotions or experiences.
My knuckles grip so tightly my fingers start to bleed
Physical strain is evident as the narrator's knuckles grip tightly, leading to bleeding fingers.
If what I have is what you need
The narrator questions whether what they possess is what someone else needs.
I'm never gonna give it to you
Repetition of the narrator's refusal to give in to the desired request.
I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
-I'm never gonna give it to you
Final repetition of the narrator's steadfast refusal to comply.
Comment