Lyrics
Oh, they call me Old Thunder
Identifying as Old Thunder, perhaps a powerful or rebellious figure.
Call it hagiography
Referring to a biography of a saint or revered figure.
But I stole the fire when they slept
Claiming to have stolen fire while others were sleeping, symbolic of seizing opportunity.
And they sing of my damning
People sing about the speaker's condemnation or wrongdoing.
And they sing for my death
Singing about the speaker's anticipated death or downfall.
I'll make 'em sing the stove boat song
Expressing a desire to make others sing a song about a stove boat.
You took a piece of me
Someone took something important from the speaker.
I'm here to make peace with that
Seeking reconciliation or acceptance regarding the loss.
But it's hard to let some parts of you go
Struggling to let go of certain aspects of oneself.
Now I can't feel the wind
Feeling numb or disconnected from nature.
I can't smell the salt
Loss of sensory experiences due to the absence of someone.
I can't sleep through the night 'til I find you
Unable to sleep until finding the person who took something.
Oh we call, we call, for an old black swan
Calling for an old black swan or a boat with a damaged hull, symbolic of longing.
Or a boat with a hole in the hull
Expressing a sense of being lost or in chaos.
We're gone, we're gone, lost in the maelstrom
Singing until the drama or turmoil is over.
And we sing 'til the drama's done!
Commitment to continue singing despite exhaustion.
I'm tired now so fuck it
Expressing fatigue and a desire to return to Nantucket.
Let's head back to Nantucket
Reflecting on 35 years of a chaotic situation.
'Cause it's been 35 years of this mess
Acknowledging the importance of the past but missing a specific person.
But back there is everything except you
Questioning the need for change when familiarity brings comfort.
So why would I change here where I know what to do
Referring to the association of wisdom with sorrow.
I heard where there's wisdom, there is woe
Suggesting that madness accompanies sorrow, leading to greatness.
Where's there's woe, well there's madness
Walking unevenly while singing along with another person.
And madness pulls greatness in tow
Repeating the call for an old black swan or a boat with a damaged hull.
As I walk above unevenly, I'll sing along with you
Expressing a sense of confinement or discomfort in bed.
Oh we call, we call, for an old black swan
Continuing to pursue a goal despite physical limitations.
Or a boat with a hole in the hull
Invoking the idea of God pursuing the speaker.
We're gone, we're gone, lost in the maelstrom
Desiring to be surrounded by water and rusting away.
And we sing 'til the drama's done!
Symbolizing a disregard for fame or recognition.
My bed is a coffin, so I'll sleep no more
Anticipating the point when stars lose their significance.
I'll keep chasing 'til my leg gives way
Suggesting the freedom to set fire to one's own story.
Let god hunt us down
Not caring about the opinions of others.
Let the water surround us
A declaration to sing a self-defined song in the end.
We'll rust amidst the green and blue
Being united with someone despite external judgments.
Once the stars become nameless
Continuing to sing until the drama or chaos concludes.
We can set fire to the pages
Expressing a lasting connection with the significant other.
I won't care what they'll write about us
Reiterating the call for an old black swan or a boat with a damaged hull.
Then we'll finally sing our own damn song
Emphasizing a commitment to singing one's own song.
I'll have been with you all along
Believing that the speaker has been with the other person all along.
Oh we call, we call, for an old black swan
Repeating the desire for an old black swan or a boat with a damaged hull.
Or a boat with a hole in the hull
Emphasizing the sense of being lost in chaos.
We're gone, we're gone, lost in the maelstrom
Continuing to sing until the drama or turmoil is over.
And we sing 'til the drama's done!
Commitment to persevere in singing despite challenges.
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