Free of Hope
Liberation Unveiled: Vic Chesnutt's Echo of Freedom
Lyrics
Bricks are dirty, lakes are dead the
Describing a bleak environment with dirty bricks and dead lakes.
Family dog is mad baby brother's science
Suggesting family dysfunction with a mad family dog and a problematic baby brother involved in science.
Beakers are all broken now the
Indicating brokenness in the family, possibly referring to broken beakers symbolizing shattered dreams.
Yard peacocks are all sad board games are
Depicting a melancholic atmosphere with sad yard peacocks and boring board games.
Boring may they rot on the shelf
Expressing disdain for certain aspects of life that are now undesirable.
Big brother's at Columbia University
Highlighting the contrast of the narrator's big brother being at an esteemed institution, Columbia University.
Quote unquote he's tanning beaver
Mockingly stating that he is "tanning beaver pelts," suggesting a lack of genuine accomplishment.
Pelts subtle as a billboard oh so refined
Describing the big brother's sophistication as subtle as a billboard, questioning its authenticity.
Smoking through my chimney burning
Indicating a sense of frustration or annoyance, with smoking through the chimney adding to the gloomy atmosphere.
Up this life of mind free of hope, free of the
Declaring freedom from hope and the past as a recurring theme in the lyrics.
Past thank you God of nothing I'm free at last
Expressing gratitude to a "God of nothing" for the newfound freedom from hope and the past.
Free of hope, free of the past thank you
Reiterating the sense of liberation and thanking the "God of nothing" for it.
God of nothing I'm free at last
Emphasizing the freedom once again, expressing gratitude for being free at last.
I'm free at last
Repeating the sentiment of being free at last, perhaps underscoring the significance of this newfound freedom.
A chip on the shoulder usually means there's wood up above
Offering a metaphor about a chip on the shoulder indicating hidden issues or resentments.
But no many at this shiny oblong table is very,
Commenting on the lack of wood (substance or depth) at the shiny oblong table, suggesting superficiality.
Very fibrous picnic demographics I'm scorched and corn fed leaning
Describing a scorching and corn-fed experience at a picnic, possibly symbolizing discomfort and conformity.
On the banister I know it's just another
Observing someone leaning on a banister, hinting at exhaustion or weariness.
20, 20 years of sweat making up his
Referencing 20 years of effort, sweat, and a "Milkdud mind," suggesting a mind shaped by monotony or triviality.
Milkdud mind gnawing on a Charleston
Introducing a Charleston Chew as a metaphor, possibly for persistent mental challenges or struggles.
Chew ooh, look inside his hothouse eyes see
Inviting the listener to look into the person's eyes and see budding youth despite challenges.
His budding youth free of hope, free of
Repeating the theme of being free from hope and the past, expressing gratitude for it.
The pas thank you God of nothing I'm
Continuing the expression of gratitude to the "God of nothing" for the achieved freedom.
Free at last free of hope, free of the past thank
Reiterating freedom from hope and the past, thanking the "God of nothing" once again.
You God of nothing I'm free at last I'm free at last
Concluding with a repetition of being free at last, emphasizing the liberation achieved.
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