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Centralia
Early Day Miners Lyrics
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Fading in the sun
Picture windows billboard signs
To view when something's wrong
Rusted river towns
Twisted metal lines
Power lines pull grey skies down
Falling through the air
Children playing figure skating
Snowfall covered lawns
Monday morning without warning
The face to face the pain
Infrastructure, neon lights
Hands spinning out of time
Echoed laughter
The sirens wail and then fade
If I had enough of that
And not have life to give
Say I'll love everything
I could
The lyrics of "Centralia" by Early Day Miners offer a contemplative look at the decline of industrial towns in America. The opening lines describe a "monumental masterpiece" that is "fading in the sun," perhaps referring to an abandoned factory or other infrastructure that once represented progress and prosperity. The following lines mention "picture windows billboard signs" that serve as a reminder of the town's struggles, suggesting that these visual cues are only really noticed when something is wrong or out of place.
The verse goes on to paint a picture of a grey and decaying landscape, with "rusted river towns" and "twisted metal lines." The power lines are described as "pull[ing] grey skies down," creating a sense of oppression and heaviness. In contrast, the chorus includes more optimistic imagery, with children playing and figure skating on snow-covered lawns. However, this hopeful tone is cut short by the reality of "Monday morning without warning," suggesting that the daily grind and hardships of life are never far away.
The bridge of the song mentions "neon lights" and "echoed laughter," perhaps suggesting a nightlife or entertainment sector that has also been impacted by economic decline. The closing lines of the song are somewhat cryptic, with a reference to "life to give" and "loving everything," perhaps hinting at a desire for escape or transcendence from the drudgery and decay of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Monumental masterpiece
A significant creation that is now slowly diminishing in its value or importance.
Fading in the sun
The monumental masterpiece is fading away into obscurity.
Picture windows billboard signs
The signs of prosperity and progress are visible through the windows and billboards.
To view when something's wrong
These signs are only visible when something is going wrong or when there is chaos.
Rusted river towns
The towns near the rivers are old and rusted with age, with diminished importance.
Twisted metal lines
The tarnished metal of the towns' industries symbolizes the decay and antiquity of the town.
Power lines pull grey skies down
The power lines stretching across the sky depress the sky further with their presence.
Falling through the air
The power lines look like they are about to crumble in the air, hanging on the verge of collapse.
Children playing figure skating
Despite the suffering in the town, children are still able to find happiness and entertainment (comparing their movements to figure skating).
Snowfall covered lawns
The snowfall provides a cold, pure layer of solace for the dull, lifeless lawns of houses waiting to be occupied.
Monday morning without warning
A sudden realization of the upcoming weekday, bringing the harsh reality of work and monotony.
The face to face the pain
Confronting the pain and suffering head on, no longer able to ignore it.
Infrastructure, neon lights
The infrastructure of the town, including neon lights, is a representation of the artificiality of progress.
Hands spinning out of time
The unrelenting machine-like progression of society and technology.
Echoed laughter
Laughter that echoes without end, portraying the emptiness of the town and its lack of joy.
The sirens wail and then fade
Even the sirens and warning calls can only last for so long before they fade away, leaving the town in a silent state.
If I had enough of that
If the writer had enough of the hardships and pain that come from living in a town like this.
And not have life to give
The writer doesn't have much to give to the world either, rendering him nearly powerless to change his situation.
Say I'll love everything
Despite the pain and monotony, the writer will love everything that he can in this world.
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.