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Woke up and for the first time the animals were gone
It's left this house empty now, not sure if I belong
Yesterday you asked me to write you a pleasant song
I'll do my best now but you've been gone now for so long
The window's open now and the winter settles in
We'll call it Christmas when the adverts begin
I love your depression and I love your double chin
I love most everything you bring to this offering
Oh I know that I've left you in places of despair
Oh I know that I love you so please throw down your hair
[Chorus]
At night I dream without you
And hope I don't wake up
Cause waking up without you
Is like drinking from an empty cup
Woke up and for the first time the animals were gone
Our clocks are ticking now so before our time is gone
We can get a house and some boxes on the lawn
We can make babies and accidental songs
I know I've been a liar and I know I've been a fool
I hope we didn't break it but I'm glad we broke the rules
My cave is deep now yet your light is shining through
I cover my eyes, still all I see is you
Oh I know I've left you in places of despair
Oh I know that I love you so please throw down your hair
[Chorus]
It's left this house empty now, not sure if I belong
Yesterday you asked me to write you a pleasant song
I'll do my best now but you've been gone now for so long
The window's open now and the winter settles in
We'll call it Christmas when the adverts begin
I love your depression and I love your double chin
I love most everything you bring to this offering
Oh I know that I've left you in places of despair
Oh I know that I love you so please throw down your hair
[Chorus]
At night I dream without you
And hope I don't wake up
Cause waking up without you
Is like drinking from an empty cup
Woke up and for the first time the animals were gone
Our clocks are ticking now so before our time is gone
We can get a house and some boxes on the lawn
We can make babies and accidental songs
I know I've been a liar and I know I've been a fool
I hope we didn't break it but I'm glad we broke the rules
My cave is deep now yet your light is shining through
I cover my eyes, still all I see is you
Oh I know I've left you in places of despair
Oh I know that I love you so please throw down your hair
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by andsoitisgirl
Track duration: 05:41
"The Animals Were Gone" as written by Damien George Rice
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Lovely Damien!
I was getting the idea that "Damien" was looking after "Lisa", who was suffering some sorta mental problem. Eg, bipolar/tumour/alziemers/etc. ???
I was thinking the loss of the animals meant she was lucid again (knew where/who she was) and this was making "Damien" feel a little disconnected from her. And the Rapunzel metaphor was him trying to understand her when she wasnt lucid, aka. trying to get into her head/trying to get into her tower.
Stuff like asking him to write her a song/forgetting Christmas until the ads reminded them would be the quirky things she does when shes... gone. (aka. "places of despair")
And ofcourse "I love your depression" sort of stuff meant to me he'd love her no matter what.
But now I've read all your stuff this all seems ridiculous. Just thought I'd put my two pence in =P
Also, they probably were not close or happy together anymore because they need the adverts to tell them Christmas is coming. Most people look forward to Christmas right? At least people who have family and friends etc to look forward to spending Christmas with. They seem find Christmas a chore. May be because they have to act happy together in front of family and friends?
Can't figure out what the animals are...... Maybe they do refer to her love but he still thinks there's time and hope left in the relationship because she hasn't physically left?
"I love 'most everything you bring to this offering" - it's like she's giving him bits of affection out of pity and he savours them all. So sad. The use of "offering" seems like he built their home as a sort of shrine for her. He sounds so desperate for her love. Sad sad song..
Actually I thought the lyrics were "we could get a house and boxes on the lawn", boxes because they move to a new house and start anew.
The letting down of hair I think is a Rapunzel reference as well. He's asking for her to let him into her heart again, like how the prince can only get up the tower if Rapunzel lets down her hair and lets him in.
The clock is ticking - they are on the brink of breaking up and he hopes they both give it one more shot at happiness, a happy life together. I'm guessing the "animals" symbolise love or passion?
He is so sad about her death, telling himself what they may have had together.
"so please throw down your hair " is literally taken.
i'll do my best now but you've been gone for so long
My interpretation of those two lines is that she's there she asked him just yesterday, but she isn't. Like he has a hard time writing this pleasant song because her SOUL or whatever made here there originally is gone. Unless she went on a trip to Europe or something and is contacting him through email. hahaha but, I don't think so.
He thinks she's great and wonderful, but maybe he just doesn't think their relationship is worth it now. Even thought he loves her. Contradicting, eh? But does he love her enough to live with her the way she wants? Probably not. Does he love her enough to get rid of the "drinking from an empty cup" feeling? I think this is his choice. The song that he wrote for her isn't pleasant like she asked.
This song is beautiful, but I don't think it's his longing that makes it that way. I think it's the pain that he feels because he wants her. But the pain is self-inflicted; it's his choice. And what the fuck is one to do when it's their pain is their fault?
more about the capability of the writer and singer combined to convey the emotions that they wish to express in order for us, their humble audience, to relate and appreiciate.
i adore this song
i adore damien rice.
i just wish anyone ever felt this way in my life
Also, ktsx, the end of the song super-reminds me of a Frank Sinatra song (actually, it probably sounds like a lot of songs from that era). I'm not sure which one it is, though I can hum it hahaha. Maybe that will help? I know how annoying it is to know a tune from somewhere and not be able to figure it out :-P