Mark McGee also has another project called Father You See Queen.
The Patron
To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie Lyrics
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to the sea they'll meet again
a constant telling breath
a roving eye
a few of few genteel do lie
what is that they deny
for it wasn't there
wasn't there
and really wasn't at all
broken hatchet called in lament
a misinformant paid this debt for
a rule, a rule broken to attest
till it must be addressed
not likely to succeed a likely end
melted heart so lost and wet
made a fool of me
tightened grasp succulent at best
made a fool of me
why do you wake at night
why do you wake at night
two hands come so cold and ardent
to the sea they'll meet again
but it wasn't there
oh wasn't there, oh wasn't there
oh wasn't there
why do you wake at night
why do you wake at night
what do you wake at night
why do you wake at night
The Patron by To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie is a song that explores themes of denial, broken rules, and betrayal. The opening lines of "two hands come so cold and ardent, to the sea they'll meet again" suggest a sense of finality or perhaps an impending tragedy. The mention of "a constant telling breath" and "a roving eye" could be interpreted as a sense of restlessness or unease with the current situation.
The second verse introduces the idea of a broken rule, with a "broken hatchet called in lament" and a "misinformant paid this debt for". There is a sense of frustration that comes with breaking a rule, as seen in the lyrics "till it must be addressed, not likely to succeed a likely end". The third verse uses imagery of a "melted heart so lost and wet" and a "tightened grasp succulent at best" to convey a sense of vulnerability and being taken advantage of.
The repetition of the line "why do you wake at night" suggests a sense of ongoing turmoil and unresolved feelings. The final lines of "but it wasn't there, oh wasn't there, oh wasn't there, why do you wake at night, what do you wake at night, why do you wake at night" further emphasize a sense of denial and perhaps a longing for something that was never truly there.
Line by Line Meaning
two hands come so cold and ardent
Two people come together with intense passion, but also with a sense of chilliness.
to the sea they'll meet again
Despite being separated, they will reunite eventually, perhaps like the tides returning to shore.
a constant telling breath
An ongoing, ever-present voice that guides and influences the situation.
a roving eye
An active, wandering gaze that observes everything and may indicate a lack of commitment or deceitfulness.
a few of few genteel do lie
Some of the well-mannered people engage in deception despite their usual propriety.
what is that they deny
What is it that they refuse to acknowledge or confess?
for it wasn't there
They claim that the thing in question never actually existed.
wasn't there
It was truly absent or never occurred.
and really wasn't at all
It was not just nonexistent, it was not even close to being real.
broken hatchet called in lament
A tool for cutting or chopping that is damaged and causes sorrow or remorse.
a misinformant paid this debt for
Someone who spread false information is responsible for the consequences that resulted.
a rule, a rule broken to attest
A standard or guideline that was violated as proof or evidence of something.
till it must be addressed
Until the issue or problem is confronted and resolved.
not likely to succeed a likely end
Failure is probable and the outcome is foreseen as negative or unfavorable.
melted heart so lost and wet
An emotional state of confusion, sadness or despair that affects the innermost feelings.
made a fool of me
Caused embarrassment, humiliation or poor judgment.
tightened grasp succulent at best
A hand that holds tightly or possessively, at most it is tender or juicy, suggesting perhaps a fleeting pleasure.
why do you wake at night
What is the reason for being unable to sleep, feelings of restlessness or anxiety, or perhaps due to some unknown burden.
but it wasn't there
Despite the desire or hope for something, it simply did not exist and cannot be found.
oh wasn't there, oh wasn't there
Emphasizes the absence or lack of something, almost as if asking it in disbelief.
what do you wake at night
Asks again for the reason or cause of sleeplessness or uneasiness during the night.
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.