In coral and gray
In submarine chambers
One day
It swam for the light

The jewels that lit
The cities that float there
Cities in circles drawn perfect, complete
Holding the secrets on my street
My street, my street

So come in and play
The song of the siren
It's commonplace
You hear the voice rise

In one wave
And crash on your doorstep
Making the circle here perfect, complete
These are the fables on my street

Ten thousand dancing girls
Kicking cans 'cross the sky
No reason why
Why ask to pay yourself
For the call of the wild
You found this child
So raise him

And wind your back
Come back to the river
The currents speed by
And hope the men fear

The hammer comes down
So hard on the evening
Cracking the dawn of your
Days are repeat

These are the fables on my street
My street, my street

Heaven shook hell
And down from its pockets
The ring in your bell
It fell through your hands

Hang at your feet
The doors that won't open
Marking the journey of our friends complete
These are the fables on my street
My street

My street, my street
Lay down in glory, you're not alone

My street, my street
Lay down in glory, you're not alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The New Pornographers's song These Are the Fables paint a vivid picture of a world beyond our own. The song is driven by a sense of curiosity and wonder, as the singer explores the mysteries of the deep sea and the secrets that are hidden within the cities that float there. The imagery of coral and gray, submarine chambers, and jewels that light up the cityscape creates a sense of otherworldliness that is both enchanting and eerie.

As the song progresses, it becomes clearer that the fables being referenced are not just stories, but real experiences that have been woven into the fabric of the singer's street. The call of the wild is heard in the form of a child who has been found, and the dancing girls kicking cans across the sky add to the sense of magic and possibility. But there is also a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface, as the hammer comes down hard on the evening and cracks the dawn of the singer's days.

Overall, These Are the Fables is a powerful meditation on the mysteries of life and the stories that we tell ourselves. It is a song that invites us to explore the unknown, to seek out the secrets that lie hidden in plain sight, and to find the courage to confront our fears and embrace the glory that lies within us all.

Line by Line Meaning

In coral and gray
The setting of the story is underwater, filled with coral and gray tones.

In submarine chambers
The story takes place in chambers underwater, perhaps suggesting a hidden, secretive location.

One day
The story begins to unfold at a singular point in time.

It swam for the light
An unknown creature or entity begins to move towards the light, possibly indicating a journey of self-discovery.

The jewels that lit
There are precious objects that illuminate the spaces in which the story occurs.

The cities that float there
There are cities or other locations that exist in the same space as the underwater setting.

Cities in circles drawn perfect, complete
The cities are constructed to be perfectly round, creating a sense of completion.

Holding the secrets on my street
The cities contain secrets, potentially significant to the artist's story.

So come in and play
The artist invites others to join and experience the story alongside them.

The song of the siren
The siren's song, known for luring sailors to their deaths, is used metaphorically to describe the allure of the story being told.

It's commonplace
The story is familiar, and the singer implies that it is something that has been told many times before.

You hear the voice rise
The story builds in intensity, and the artist's voice or story becomes more prominent.

In one wave
The story or protagonist's impact is powerful, like a wave crashing against the shore.

And crash on your doorstep
The singer and their story arrive suddenly and unexpectedly.

Making the circle here perfect, complete
The addition of the singer and their narrative completes a circular pattern or story arc.

These are the fables on my street
The story being told is like a fable, intended to convey a moral or lesson.

Ten thousand dancing girls
An exaggerated image to emphasize a joyful, celebratory moment in the story.

Kicking cans 'cross the sky
Another image of exaggerated joy or whimsy to create a fantastical setting.

No reason why
The specifics of this joyous scene are not explained, as they are not entirely relevant to the singer's story.

Why ask to pay yourself
The artist suggests that there is no need to seek justification for one's own existence, as it is inherently valuable.

For the call of the wild
The idea of seeking freedom and adventure is referenced, echoing the journey undertaken by the artist in the early parts of the story.

You found this child
The artist has discovered something valuable or meaningful, like a child or new perspective on life.

So raise him
The singer takes responsibility for this new perspective and nurtures it with care.

And wind your back
The artist prepares themselves for a new challenge or journey.

Come back to the river
Returning to a place previously visited is suggested, implying that the singer's journey will come full circle.

The currents speed by
The singer is moving quickly and must keep up with the pace of their journey.

And hope the men fear
The singer suggests that the singer's progress should intimidate or inspire fear in those who would try to stop them.

The hammer comes down
The artist may face significant challenges or setbacks as they continue their journey.

So hard on the evening
The challenges faced by the artist take place during a specific time of day, adding urgency and tension to the story.

Cracking the dawn of your
The challenges faced by the singer may disrupt their previous way of life or cause them significant harm.

Days are repeat
The repetition of days implies that the singer's journey may be cyclical, with recurring obstacles or themes.

Heaven shook hell
A metaphor for a major event or change occurring.

And down from its pockets
The aftermath of the event or change results in something tangible being dropped or revealed.

The ring in your bell
Perhaps referencing a literal bell or another important symbol, the artist is now in possession of something that holds great significance.

It fell through your hands
The singer may struggle to hold onto this significant item or idea.

Hang at your feet
The important item, symbol, or goal associated with the artist is within reach but not yet attained.

The doors that won't open
The singer may find themselves blocked from advancing or achieving their goals.

Marking the journey of our friends complete
Other characters, perhaps ones with whom the singer has formed bonds or alliances, may complete their own journeys or face their own challenges.

Lay down in glory, you're not alone
The singer is supported and celebrated as they continue on their journey, perhaps serving as inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps.

My street
The street where the artist lives or began their journey is significant and may be a recurring motif throughout the story.

My street, my street
Repeating the artist's location emphasizes its importance and association with the artist's journey.

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