Sleeping Lessons

I've figured out what they're saying.

Essentially, its an address to the elder generation of society to pass away/go to eternal slumber (hance 'sleeping lesson') peacefully already without screwing up the younger generations in a selfish attempt to feel powerful again (in a fruitless bid to fight against the realization that death is inevitable, which creates a profound feeling of impotence and powerlessness in the older generations). Its about how throughout almost all societies of human history, the "old guard" (the 'elders' of society who uphold social conventions, norms, attitudes) come to this elderly point in their lives where they are no longer the potent youths but now aging has-beens, and so attempt and usually succeed in controlling and using the younger generations -- they thus feel as though they are in control of at least something. So this bitter, older generation sends its young, healthy and brightest off to war upon war and generally neglect the needs of the young and of the future generations.

There is a natural power balance in virtually every society where the older generations simply maintain a LOT more power than those in the younger years of their lives, in a financial, political, and social sense. So, without meaning to, they generally exploit it, taking advantage of the fact that there's not much younger generations can or hhave the confidence to do about their parent's and grandparents' selfish decisions -- in the song they are identified as "those unrepenting buzzards [who] want your life"; scavengers. Further, the very next line declares "they've got no right, as sure as you've got eyes". "They've got no right" is repeated then a second time. This is a declaration that such exploitation by them is not justified.

The Shins singer then ask you to "Just put yourself in my new shoes", or in other words, 'look at it the way I'm looking at it', or 'see it from the perspective I'm showing you'. It continues, "And see that I do what I do, Because the old guard still offend". So our singer here is telling as that his life occupation is singing in a band called the Shins and not working on Wall Street making huge bucks but instead creating art because...because the 'old guard', or the elders of our time 'still offend', in other words, have no respect for the young.

Then, "we've got nothing left on which to depend", which is expressing a sense of hopelessness in that this elder generation doesn't know what the hell it's doing -- we can't depend on them to make good decisions our society and indeed the world.

So the singer calls out for action on the part of the exploited: "So we waste every ounce, Of your bright blood, And off with their heads". Like the Revolutionary forces of the French Revolution who cut off the heads of the incompetent King, or, indeed, like any group of revolutionaries who did something about their political situation. The above lines call for political action like history has seen time and time again. The 'off with the heads' line is probably metaphorical, but nevertheless brings up these images of passionate revolutionary activity in the face of oppression and/or injustice.

It finishes, "Jump from a book", essentially demanding to think for yourself by reading and therefore being educated and aware. It continues, "And you're not obliged, To swallow anything that you despise", telling us that we shouldn't be afraid to rebel against these moronic attitudes and actions (which we despise, like intolerant beliefs, excessive religiosity, lack of critical thought, corporate domination, ridiculous laws, etc.) of our elder generations, who more often then not (and certainly now, in America for one) make decisions that do tremendous harm.

If you look throughout history, such a pattern emerges time and time again. The young and healthy (with "red bright blood)" are sent off to their deaths by their elders who want to feel powerful again. Feeling powerless in the realization of thier unavoidable death, they exploit younger generations in order to feel power over something. If they can't conquer death, at least they can control their younglings. This older generation in a society simply use their power to impose their grubby will on the population at large, those that are much less powerful. Ultimately, though, the lyrics call for an awakening of action ("off with their heads").

Note: When I say 'elders' I mean generally mean themany people at the age of mid-life crisis and over who have great financial, political, or great social power who essentially set the social policy of nations.