The Flower Called Nowhere
Stereolab Lyrics

All the small boats on the water aren't
There are many boats on the water, but none of them are moving or going anywhere.

Going anywhere,
They are stationary and not in motion.

Surely they must be loaded with
The boats are likely to be carrying more than just physical objects.

More than simple matter,
They may have emotional or psychological weight as well.

Floating on top and gracefully tending
The boats are moving gently and elegantly on the water's surface.

To the same pole,
They are all following a common path or goal.

All the small boats on the water
Again, emphasizing the large number of boats that are not moving.

Going nowhere
Reaffirming that none of the boats are in motion or traveling anywhere.

Is it true that none of them, will ever
The question is raised whether any of the boats will eventually leave their current state.

Break free and sail?
If they will ever escape their current stagnant state and start moving forward.

Feel the night is made of rocks,
The night is heavy and oppressive, like a weight on one's shoulders.

The stagnant mass
Referring to the stationary boats as a large and heavy object.

Is it true that none of them, will ever
Repeating the same question from earlier about whether any of the boats will move forward.

Break free and sail?
Asking if any of the boats will break free and move forward in their journey.

Break free from the stagnant boats,
The boats are again described as being in a stagnant state, with the hope that they will break free of it.

Left in obscurity
The boats are not well known or recognized, and are being left behind by the world.

All the faces with their eyes closed,
Describing people with closed eyes and a peaceful expression on their faces.

Giving a smile,
Despite their peaceful expression, the people are still giving a happy smile.

Weightless
The people are free of physical weight and burden.

Like a body that would vacate to its
The people are like a body that is leaving its current physical state behind.

Own light
They will travel towards their own internal light, or true selves.

Is it true that none of these
Another question is being asked about the people who are content in their current state of mind.

Contented happy faces will not ever hear a cry,
The people in their contentment may never have to hear or acknowledge someone else's cries of pain or sorrow.

Won't hear a cry?
The question is raised whether they will ever have to hear another's unhappiness.

Is it true that none of these contented
Repeating the question from earlier about the contented people.

Happy faces will not ever hear a cry,
Again expressing the possibility that the contented people will never hear another's sorrow.

Filled with love not with desire,
If they ever do hear another's cry, the emotion that will guide their response is love, not desire.

Love not desire?
The statement is reiterated, emphasizing the importance of a compassionate response in the face of another's pain.