Ladies of Cambridge
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
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Mystical boys feelin' alright
Raggedy wisdom falls from my hand
As the ladies of Cambridge know who I am
I've had dreams of Boston all of my life
Chinatown between the sound of the night
But if you leave I just don't think I could take it
Take it
Take it
Take it
Graveyard freaks, we're fallin' in style
Lady as pharaoh, Charles as the Nile
That's a museum, price you could pay
Stones of your fathers stand there today
I've had dreams of Boston all of my life
Chinatown between the sounds of the night
But if you leave I just don't think I could take it
Take it
Take it
Take it
I've had dreams of Boston all of my life
Chinatown between the sound of the night
'Cause when you left my room
To go to the kitchen
I imagined that you were dead
A morbid streak runs through
The whole of my family
But for you I could put it to rest
But if you leave I just don't think I could take it
Take it
Take it
Take
it
The song "Ladies of Cambridge" by Vampire Weekend paints a vivid picture of a Saturday night in Chestnut Park, where the "mystical boys" are feeling "alright." The singer reflects on his dreams of Boston while being surrounded by the women of Cambridge who know who he is. He expresses the fear of not being able to handle a potential departure of a loved one if they were to leave. The song further delves into the dark thoughts of the singer; he imagines their partner dead, revealing a morbid streak running through his family.
The lyrics in this song can be interpreted in various ways, but a common theme is the struggle of accepting change and the fear of losing someone close. The line, "But if you leave, I just don't think I could take it/take it/take it/take it," conveys the fear that the singer has in facing the possibility of losing someone they love. The song's title also refers to Ladies of Cambridge, who are likely a reference to the intellectual and liberal women residing in the Cambridge area. However, it's important to note that the song's meaning can vary depending on one's perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnut Park on a Saturday night
The singer is at Chestnut Park on a Saturday night.
Mystical boys feelin' alright
The singer and his friends are feeling good and carefree.
Raggedy wisdom falls from my hand
The singer is speaking freely and expressing his thoughts without reservation.
As the ladies of Cambridge know who I am
The women at Cambridge are familiar with the artist and his reputation.
I've had dreams of Boston all of my life
The artist has always had a fascination with and desire to visit Boston.
Chinatown between the sound of the night
The singer envisions the ambiance and energy of Chinatown at night.
But if you leave I just don't think I could take it
The singer is deeply attached to his significant other and would struggle with their departure.
Graveyard freaks, we're fallin' in style
The artist and his friends are going against societal norms and embracing their unconventional personalities.
Lady as pharaoh, Charles as the Nile
The artist's peers are taking on roles of royalty and power, possibly as a means of escapism.
That's a museum, price you could pay
The high cost of admission to a museum is mentioned, possibly as a critique of societal inequality or the commercialization of art and culture.
Stones of your fathers stand there today
The past is preserved through artifacts and monuments.
'Cause when you left my room
The artist is addressing his significant other.
To go to the kitchen
His partner has left the room for a brief moment.
I imagined that you were dead
The singer has an irrational fear of losing his significant other.
A morbid streak runs through
The singer and/or his family have an unhealthy fascination with death.
The whole of my family
The fascination with death is a recurring theme throughout his family.
But for you I could put it to rest
The artist's love for his significant other is a source of stability and comfort, potentially allowing him to overcome his macabre tendencies.
But if you leave I just don't think I could take it
The singer is reiterating the depth of his feelings and dependency on his partner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Joseph Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, Ezra Koenig, Christopher William Tomson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind