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Napoleon On The Bellerophon
Beirut Lyrics


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They never heard you play their loud songs, on the Bellerophon
Round the sea I'm not floating by the saints of heaven
And you said that i was liar and i'm lost somewhere on the inside, forever alone.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beirut's "Napoleon On The Bellerophon" are rich in metaphors that explore themes of loneliness and isolation. The first line, "They never heard you play their loud songs, on the Bellerophon," refers to the ship that Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The reference to "loud songs" suggests that Napoleon was a powerful and dynamic figure, but his voice is now unheard and forgotten on the ship. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and success.


The second line, "Round the sea I'm not floating by the saints of heaven," can be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps it refers to the fact that Napoleon, who was once a great leader, is now adrift and lost without any divine intervention. Alternatively, it could be a reference to the fact that Napoleon's sins have damned him to a life without the comfort of the saints. The final line, "And you said that I was a liar and I'm lost somewhere on the inside, forever alone," is perhaps the most straightforward. It speaks to feelings of isolation and disconnection, suggesting that Napoleon's persona has been stripped away and he is left with only his own thoughts and regrets.


Line by Line Meaning

They never heard you play their loud songs, on the Bellerophon
The people who were supposed to listen to your music and appreciate it never did, even though you played it with all your heart and soul on the Bellerophon.


Round the sea I'm not floating by the saints of heaven
I'm not blessed by the holy and divine beings around the sea, even though I wander aimlessly without any sense of direction.


And you said that i was liar and i'm lost somewhere on the inside, forever alone.
You accused me of being dishonest and deceitful, but the reality is that I'm just lost and confused on the inside, feeling like I'll always be alone.




Contributed by Annabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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