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Marathon
Kayo Dot Lyrics


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And so ten centuries solemnly collide
Love failed and I have
Lost my Name

Secrecy hoards the treasure
Coveted most by me
As rainwater collects in barrels
Sleep covers Abuse with Time
Too many dream-haunted hours
Leaves me with seasons swelling and growing



And without welcome, fading
Something makes sense in ripples
Grief is the corpse from which worms feed
Alas, I am not this stricken man
Suspended by sunlight, shadows break
Their silent vigil
As rainwater collects in barrels
Lucifer rose up to kiss the analgesic dawn
While below, Something roll'd the stone away
Something makes sense in ripples
Gradually, I saw Abuse is a Name
And ghosts will seem forever
Less fantastic

Like a kiss, soft, and wild with the delicate steps of petals fallen in a stream
This swirling ballerina turns in faint and sighing grandeur
Across the floor to me.
A monarch plays the violin to a summer's afternoon
Whilst quietly the earthworm adores the soil in winter's sparkling gloom
It breaks away, growing as the flowers do.

A thunderhead embraces his enraptured lover
And kisses with a gale that also makes the cattails shudder.
His tears cannot, as he proclaims his love, be held with lightning back;
They fondly dance into an open window
And fondly dance with mine.

Our eyelashes weaken with a weight that is sweet and fine,
And this feels like frogs and spiders in the sweet outside.
Tell me why world, unfathomable and good,
The beauty of everything is infinite and cruel.

An airplane, a puppet, an orange, a spoon,
A window, and outside
Stars and the moon.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Kayo Dot's song Marathon suggest the passage of time, and how throughout history, love and individuals have been lost and forgotten. The singer mourns the loss of their name, implying that they have lost their identity in the midst of everything that has happened. The use of "secrecy" suggests that the singer is hiding something as they guard something that is most valuable to them. The rainwater collecting in barrels juxtaposes the idea of something pure and natural with the idea of something being collected and hoarded, further emphasizing the theme of loss and accumulation. Sleep and Time are implied to be things that obscure or hide from abuse, and the repetition of "Something makes sense in ripples" further emphasizes the cyclical nature of events and how small ripples can lead to significant changes over time. Grief is likened to something that feeds on the corpse of time but ultimately, the singer distances themselves from the pain and suffering by acknowledging that they are not the stricken man, indicating a sense of detachment.


The second stanza sets up images resembling fairy tales or supernatural occurrences, describing a "swirling ballerina" and a butterfly that breaks away and grows like a flower. The monarch playing the violin might be indicative of someone trying to make sense of the world through art and beauty. In the next stanza, the thunderhead conjures up images of a lover embracing their partner with passionate kisses and tears, making the cattails shudder. The power of nature's beauty and passion is described as infinite but also cruel, and the final lines list a collection of common objects with images of the stars and the moon. The song, in essence, is an ode to the beauty of the world but also, the loss and pain that come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

And so ten centuries solemnly collide
The passage of time has led to a significant point in history.


Love failed and I have
The singer has experienced a failed romance.


Lost my Name
The singer has lost their sense of identity.


Secrecy hoards the treasure
The things kept a secret are most valuable.


Coveted most by me
The artist desires the things that are kept secret.


As rainwater collects in barrels
Secrets and emotions can be accumulated over time.


Sleep covers Abuse with Time
With time, the impact of past traumas can become less immediate and intense.


Too many dream-haunted hours
The artist has been suffering from nightmares.


Leaves me with seasons swelling and growing
The passage of time has brought changes and growth for the artist.


And without welcome, fading
The changes and growth have not been entirely positive, and some aspects of the artist's life are fading away.


Something makes sense in ripples
The singer is beginning to understand the significance of small actions and events.


Grief is the corpse from which worms feed
Grief can consume and break down a person.


Alas, I am not this stricken man
The singer is not defined by their struggles and hardships.


Suspended by sunlight, shadows break
With the arrival of light, darkness and negativity can be dispelled.


Their silent vigil
The singer is being watched by something or someone that is not interfering.


Lucifer rose up to kiss the analgesic dawn
A new day has begun, and it may bring both pain and salvation.


While below, Something roll'd the stone away
A seemingly impossible obstacle has been removed, potentially allowing for new opportunities and growth.


Gradually, I saw Abuse is a Name
The singer realizes that they have been allowing their past traumas to define them and their identity.


And ghosts will seem forever
The past and its negative consequences may linger for an indeterminate period.


Less fantastic
As the artist gains clarity about their situation, they are less susceptible to being overwhelmed by their emotions.


Like a kiss, soft, and wild with the delicate steps of petals fallen in a stream
A tender and romantic moment between two people is described.


This swirling ballerina turns in faint and sighing grandeur
A graceful and elegant dance is taking place.


Across the floor to me.
The dance is being performed for the singer.


A monarch plays the violin to a summer's afternoon
A beautiful piece of music is being performed in a serene and idyllic setting.


Whilst quietly the earthworm adores the soil in winter's sparkling gloom
Even in harsh winter conditions, there is still beauty to be found in life.


It breaks away, growing as the flowers do.
Life has its ups and downs, but there is always potential for growth and renewal.


A thunderhead embraces his enraptured lover
The beauty of nature can be overwhelming and awe-inspiring.


And kisses with a gale that also makes the cattails shudder.
The natural world can be both gentle and powerful.


His tears cannot, as he proclaims his love, be held with lightning back;
Strong emotions can be difficult to control.


They fondly dance into an open window
Emotions can be expressed and shared.


And fondly dance with mine.
The singer is moved by the expression of emotion.


Our eyelashes weaken with a weight that is sweet and fine,
The delicacy and beauty of life can be bittersweet.


And this feels like frogs and spiders in the sweet outside.
Even things that are seemingly unpleasant can be sources of beauty and wonder.


Tell me why world, unfathomable and good,
The mystery of the universe is vast and complex, but it can still be understood to some extent.


The beauty of everything is infinite and cruel.
The beauty of life can be harsh and unyielding, but it is still worth experiencing.


An airplane, a puppet, an orange, a spoon,
Everyday objects can hold immense meaning and significance.


A window, and outside
The boundary between inside and outside can be fluid and dynamic.


Stars and the moon.
The vastness of the cosmos can be both humbling and inspiring.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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