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well you're my friend
(it's what you told me)
and can you see
(what's inside of me)
many times
we've been out drinking
and many times
we've shared our thoughts
but did you ever, ever notice
the kind of thoughts I got
well you know I have a love
a love for everyone I know
and you know I have a drive
to live I won't let go
but can you see its opposition
comes a-rising up sometimes
that it's dreadful and position
comes blacking in my mind
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and did you know how much I love you
is a hope that somehow you you
can save me from this darkness
well I hope that someday, buddy
we have peace in our lives
together or apart
alone or with our wives
that we can stop our whoring
and pull the smiles inside
and light it up forever
and never go to sleep
my best unbeaten brother
this isn't all I see
chorus
(it's what you told me)
and can you see
(what's inside of me)
many times
we've been out drinking
and many times
we've shared our thoughts
but did you ever, ever notice
the kind of thoughts I got
well you know I have a love
a love for everyone I know
and you know I have a drive
to live I won't let go
but can you see its opposition
comes a-rising up sometimes
that it's dreadful and position
comes blacking in my mind
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and did you know how much I love you
is a hope that somehow you you
can save me from this darkness
well I hope that someday, buddy
we have peace in our lives
together or apart
alone or with our wives
that we can stop our whoring
and pull the smiles inside
and light it up forever
and never go to sleep
my best unbeaten brother
this isn't all I see
chorus
Lyrics submitted by cardamom
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The Shell (A Skin Too Few)
Living grows round us like a skin
to shut away the outer desolation
For if we clearly mark the furthest deep
we should be dead long years before the grave.
But turning around within the homely shell
of worry discontent and narrow joy
we grow and flourish and rarely see the
outside dark that would confound our eyes
some break the shell…
I think that there are those who push their
fingers through the brittle walls and
make a hole…and through this cruel
slit stare out across the cinders of the
world with naked eyes they look both out and end,
knowing themselves and too much else beside.
I believe this song is groslly misinterpreted as a song about depression and suicide. Though these appear to be strongly linked and could be argued as an after effect, I think there is something more than just that. I think this song is about a person battle with a dark past.
Firstly we have:
"well you're my friend
(it's what you told me)
and can you see
(what's inside of me)"
The bracketed part of the song and how it's sung is absoultely relevant and extremely important. The reason is this person isn't even sure of what appears to be a strong bond between him and someone else (I believe he's singing about his close friend, not his brother). Thus, this person isn't even sure how much he's given away, let alone what he's willing to.
"many times
we've been out drinking
and many times
we've shared our thoughts
but did you ever, ever notice
the kind of thoughts I got"
You could read this and think 'ah he's thinking about suicide'. No, again; I feel there is a harbouring for a dark secret, perhaps even a hidden part that he has shared in a very covert way and is essentially testing his friend.
"well you know I have a love
a love for everyone I know
and you know I have a drive
to live I won't let go"
The singer here, is admitting that despite the darkness he feels inside of him; he won't give up.
"but can you see its opposition
comes a-rising up sometimes
that it's dreadful and position
comes blacking in my mind"
It becomes more apparent here with the 'blacking in my mind' part, as often enough anyone with significant trauma will block parts out of their past and these deep emotional thoughts have to be recalled from a part of his mind that is so distant, so dark it's 'blackening' his mind when he recalls it.
"and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and that I see a darkness
and did you know how much I love you
is a hope that somehow you you
can save me from this darkness"
So now the singer has these thoughts, they've came from a dark part of his mind and he has so much love to give, he hopes his friend recognises this and saves him from the intense feelings and thoughts - but it must come from the friend as opposed to the singer himself (he wants to be rescued).
"well I hope that someday, buddy
we have peace in our lives
together or apart
alone or with our wives"
Still not convinced? Well he's longing for peace and is plagued (can be easily interpreted as dealing with depression, it wouldn't be wrong either!). It seems quite obvious to me that this individual is struggling with relationships, because of this; he's not even sure if he has the strength to continue his 'facade.
"that we can stop our whoring
and pull the smiles inside
and light it up forever
and never go to sleep
my best unbeaten brother
this isn't all I see"
Still not convinced? Well this is pretty obvious. The singer is concious the damage he's doing and all he wants to do is take the extroverted view other people have of him (smiley, happy) and pull it inside so his darkness is replaced with a light that allows him to have a happier and more peaceful life. Obviously the very last two lines refer to his damaged friend (who he hopes can empathise with him) and that 'this isn't all i see" can translate to someone who is much more emotionaly deep then letting off.
:-)
I can also relate to the power of having a beer with a friend and talking about the way life is when fighting those thoughts. Sometimes it is the only thing that can give you any real perspective when they are creeping in. I've had some dark times, and my best friend has been there, and I am for him when he needs it too. I think Oldham was talking about having that friend who can "save" you from the darkness, by just being there and listening to your thoughts.