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Sleep on and dream of love
Because it's the closest you will
Get to love
Poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who later cried :
But Jesus made me, so
Jesus save me from
Pity, sympathy
And people discussing me
A frame of useless limbs
What can make good
All the bad that's been done ?
And if the lights were out
Could you even bear
To kiss her full on the mouth
(or anywhere?)
Oh, poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who must remain
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A symbol of where mad, mad lovers
Must pause and draw the line.
So sleep and dream of love
Because it's the closest
You will get to love
That November
Is a time
Which I must
Put out of my mind
Oh, one fine day
Let it be soon
She won't be rich or beautiful
But she'll be walking your streets
In the clothes that she went out
And chose for herself.
Because it's the closest you will
Get to love
Poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who later cried :
But Jesus made me, so
Jesus save me from
Pity, sympathy
And people discussing me
A frame of useless limbs
What can make good
All the bad that's been done ?
And if the lights were out
Could you even bear
To kiss her full on the mouth
(or anywhere?)
Oh, poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who must remain
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A symbol of where mad, mad lovers
Must pause and draw the line.
So sleep and dream of love
Because it's the closest
You will get to love
That November
Is a time
Which I must
Put out of my mind
Oh, one fine day
Let it be soon
She won't be rich or beautiful
But she'll be walking your streets
In the clothes that she went out
And chose for herself.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Track duration: 05:23
"November Spawned a Monster" as written by Clive Langer, Steven Morrissey
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's a fascinating song. This is a topic that we've all maybe thought about once or twice but to put it in a song so well is impressive.
The final verse demonstrates Morrissey's desired emancipation of the subject from these attitdues and the impact on them. 'the clothes that she went out and chose for herself' demonstrates independence, self respect and hope.
For me, this is a personal and very beautiful song, which communicates an aspiration for those who don't fit our definition of 'normal' to have fuller lives and to not be retrained and hidden away by society's negative attitudes.
God bless Morrissey - he leaves no issue unturned :)
It culminates in Morrissey making a statement that one day, people with disabilities will gain their voice and respect and 'will be walking the streets in the clothes that she went out and chose for herself', ie will have gained an independent life - and will be living.
I love that Morrissey never shrinks from writing about such a wide range of issues and perspectives.
Viva Moz :)
And the story og the HERMAPHRODITE that Latréamont tells there...
The lines "Sleep on and dream of Love
Because it's the closest you will
Get to love" are actually a literal quote from the book.
The story that Lautréamont tells is the story of an hermaphrodite who lives in a forest surrounded by flowers, but isolated from society because he considers himself/herself a monster that can't fit into any of the two sexes and is horrified with his own body... but dreams about love each time s/he sleeps.
The song is mostly a free adaptation of LAutréamont's poem (which is even quoted in the first lines).
Personally, I think the key to understanding Morrissey's lyrics is accepting that there is no definite answer. All his song lyrics are veiled in wily word-play and cloaked in devious quips. Symbolism is his artistry--and he's made a living of devising lyrical tapestries that awe and amaze, even while obscuring thoughts and ideas that are seemingly written plain as day. It's all deliciously ironic.
The best way (to me) to describe this song would be: It's about a person carrying some precieved stigma of defective-ness or helplessness, who long for nothing more than to be accepted in understood. Someone who wants to rise above their "learned helplessness".
The "Jesus made me, so Jesus save me..." line is not only a plea, but it's a demand for reciprocity as well. It's saying, "You need to take responsibility for your actions - for this /thing/ you've created." A sentiment that resonates throughout the entire song. It's, perhaps, the most powerful lyric in this song.
It ends on an interesting note. The singer almost washes his hands of the whole situation. As if to say, "There's nothing I can do about it...", but then goes on to wish that day would come where she wouldn't be judged by the life she was born into, but rather, by the life she chose for herself. Which makes an odd contrast to the beginning of the song. It ends an optimistic (if blind) tone.
The title is "November Spawned a Monster" which suggests: we are what we are born to be... However, the ending of the song seems to go against that fatalist statement, saying: we are what we make of ourselves; we're the masters of our own destinies. It's an unusually uplifting sentiment for such a seemingly bleak song. It's the reasong I love Morrissey's work. The fact that he can craft such a piece with his own bare hands is beautiful and speaks volumes about his talent. All his songs are so layered with imagery and sound; it's awe-inspiring! As I said before; there are so many ways to interpret his lyrics it's astounding. I'm sure someone's reading this, thinking that it's actually on the complete opposite side of the spectrum!
That is what makes Morrissey the word-smith that he is...
the creature was created in november
the creature was born with the capabitlity to love
the creature was not loved by any in society
One NOVEMBER
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who later cried: (the creature is saying this)
"But Jesus made me, so
Jesus save me from
pity, sympathy
And people discussing me"
A frame of useless limbs
What can make GOOD
All the BAD that's been done?
this is something like what the crature said to himself after he inquired knowleged from reading and observing the DeLacys
It could also be compared thematically to 'At Amber', a slightly earlier song- the protagonist there complains that "And I cannot - or, I do not..." without specifying what it is he cannot do. Whilst it contrasts with the physical nature of the disability described in both these songs, it is emphasised that the narrator finds it difficult to conduct himself faced with this inability to...whatever.
My point is, despite the specifically physical nature of the lyrics, 'November Spawned A Monster' seems to hint that disability is not always physical: emotional and social inadequacy can alienate and disable a person just as much, just in different ways. The face value literalism of the song hides a much deeper social conscience and sympathy for the outsider in society.
Well, that's what I think anyway. :)