Black History Month
Death from Above 1979 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A great place for architects and dilettantes
A nice place for midwives and crossing guards
And on and on
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving, leaving
Do you remember a time when this pool was
A great place for water wings and cannonballs
A nice place for astrologists and blow up dolls
And on and on and on and on
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving
"Black History Month" by Death From Above 1979 seems to be a commentary on the gentrification and changing demographics of a city. The opening lines prompt the listener to reflect on a time when the city was different - when it was a place for artists, health professionals, and community members. The repetition of "and on and on" suggests a sense of nostalgia for the past and the passing of time.
Later in the song, the lyrics shift focus to a pool as a symbol of the changing times. What was once a happy and carefree place for children with water wings and cannonballs is now a place for more "adult" interests such as astrology and blow-up dolls. The repeated refrain of "hold on, hold on, children" suggests a warning or plea to the younger generation, who may not fully understand what is happening to their city.
Overall, "Black History Month" seems to be a lament about the displacement of long-time residents and the loss of community in the face of urban renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you remember a time when this city was
Can you recall when this city was
A great place for architects and dilettantes
An excellent place for architects and dilettantes
A nice place for midwives and crossing guards
A pleasant place for midwives and crossing guards
And on and on
And so on and so on
Hold on, hold on, children
Wait, wait, children
Your mother and father are leaving, leaving
Your parents are departing
Do you remember a time when this pool was
Can you recall when this pool was
A great place for water wings and cannonballs
An excellent place for water wings and cannonballs
A nice place for astrologists and blow up dolls
A pleasant place for astrologists and blow up dolls
And on and on and on and on
And so on and so forth
Hold on, hold on, children
Wait, wait, children
Your mother and father are leaving
Your parents are departing
Hold on, hold on, children
Wait, wait, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
Your best friend's parents are departing
Hold on, hold on, children
Wait, wait, children
Your mother and father are leaving
Your parents are departing
Hold on, hold on, children
Wait, wait, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
Your best friend's parents are departing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jesse Keeler, Sebastien Grainger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@svenfan87
Do you remember a time when this city was
A great place for architects and dilettantes?
A nice place for midwives and crossing guards?
And on and on
[Chorus]
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving, leaving
[Verse 2]
Do you remember a time when this pool was
A great place for water-wings and cannonballs?
A nice place for astrologists and blow-up dolls?
On and on, on and on
Chorus]
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving, leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Hold on, hold on, children
Your mother and father are leaving, leaving
Hold on, hold on, children
Your best friend's parents are leaving, leaving
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Time marches on, yet vibes continue.
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