Frank Black and the Catholics – The Swimmer

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In the wake of his chariot You swam toward the latitudes Leaving for happier times Florida far behind Trying your best you were Ignoring the rescuers You'd gone so very long You were so very strong The scene was so tragic But that was the magic Will you never drown? Will you learn to use Some forgotten part? Some forgotten part? Are you going down Where the ballyhoos And the tritons are? And the tritons are? You were so incredible Finding all the edible Prize of the sea Prize of the sea In the wake of his chariot You swam toward the latitudes Leaving for happier times Florida far behind In division pelagic You were choragic Will you never drown? Will you learn to use Some forgotten part? Some forgotten part? Are you going down Where the ballyhoos And the tritons are? And the tritons are? And the tritons are?

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Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44

Track duration: 02:48

"The Swimmer" as written by Charles Thompson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Swimmer song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:This is one of my favorite FB&TC songs. I initially liked it for the musicianship and the beautiful sadness of the steel guitar over the unconventional chord progression that somehow work perfectly, as most FB&TC songs do.

    After many listens, I think I finally realized what the song is about. Frank is singing about someone with a persecution complex, or victim complex. They have gone through a painful experience, but now removed from it, they continue to struggle and insist that they are being persecuted. Frank is describing that help is available, but the swimmer refuses to grab the hands of those who have reached out to rescue her (him?). Frank wonders how the swimmer is able to stay afloat, yet not make any progress with their problem. Frank wonders if the swimmer will figure it out, or if they will ultimately sink to the bottom of the sea.
    Flag pugbyon May 10, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this is related to Thallasocracy. A guy is swimming into the past to be what he once was cos he wants to detach himself from this world and return to the sea: pelagic = oceans, choragic = leader
    Flag geebeeon June 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'd like to know what this is about, no doubt it's something about a tragic case with a swimmer...I'm good at detecting the obvious
    Flag sammyramoneon June 04, 2005   Link

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