Neck On The New Blade
16 Horsepower Lyrics
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There's a ghost bound in my soul
High fiddle high fiddle low fiddle low
There's a cold blade on my crow
A crooked in my walk a stumble in my talk
Is what I'm after little girl
Metal on the red overcast in head
I'm goin' down an feelin' ill
There's a girl that I know
You ain't never had one I don't believe you will
This is your season for standin' still
Metal on the red overcast in head
I'm goin' down an feelin' ill
See boys I've known her from way back
Back when she was dead
Tongues on fire spoke the word
Darkness left her head
Holy my other hand that's a fuckin' joke
Like steel cold knife on the bridge of strife
Were the words I spoke
In "Neck on the New Blade" by 16 Horsepower, the singer describes the internal struggle he is facing. He feels as though he is being pulled in two different directions, represented by the high and low fiddles. Additionally, he seems to have a dark side that he is struggling to control, personified by a cold blade on his crow. The singer's talk and walk are also impacted by this internal conflict. He seems to feel a sense of unease and discomfort in his own skin, as though he is not entirely in control of himself.
The second verse of the song introduces a girl that the singer knows, but it is unclear what her significance is to the story. However, the singer seems to suggest that the listener has never experienced a relationship like the one he has with this girl. He goes on to say that this is a season for standing still, implying that he may need to take some time to work through his internal struggles before he can move forward in any kind of meaningful way. The final lines of the song make reference to speaking "the word" and a "steel cold knife on the bridge of strife," which could be interpreted as religious or philosophical beliefs that the singer is using to guide him through this difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
High fiddle high fiddle low fiddle low
The music is fluctuating, reflecting the unstable and confused emotions of the singer.
There's a ghost bound in my soul
The singer is haunted by a troubling memory or spirit that has been with him for a long time.
There's a cold blade on my crow
The singer feels a sharp pain or discomfort, possibly caused by someone or something nearby.
A crooked in my walk a stumble in my talk
The singer is struggling to find his way and express himself, feeling insecure and uncertain of himself.
Is what I'm after little girl
The singer is seeking affirmation and validation from a woman he desires, hoping to impress her with his imperfections.
Metal on the red overcast in head
The singer feels trapped and suffocated, unable to escape a situation that is causing him mental anguish.
I'm goin' down an feelin' ill
The singer is deteriorating mentally and physically, feeling extremely sick and weak from the pain he is experiencing.
There's a girl that I know
The singer has a particular woman in mind who he is fixated on, possibly believing that she could be his salvation.
You ain't never had one I don't believe you will
The singer is challenging the listener, suggesting that they have never experienced true love and may never be able to.
This is your season for standin' still
The singer is suggesting that the listener needs to stop, take a break, and contemplate life or their personal situation.
See boys I've known her from way back
The singer is addressing a group of people, saying that he has a history with the woman he desires.
Back when she was dead
The singer is using a metaphor, suggesting that the woman was emotionally dead and numb in the past.
Tongues on fire spoke the word
The singer is speaking about a spiritual experience or revelation, indicating a sudden or transformative moment that happened through the power of speech.
Darkness left her head
The singer is saying that the woman he desires was once lost and confused, but has now seen the light or found her way.
Holy my other hand that's a fuckin' joke
The singer is cursing ironically, saying that something he believes is holy or righteous is actually a lie or deception.
Like steel cold knife on the bridge of strife
The singer is using a vivid image of a sharp and painful object to describe a difficult or trying situation that he is in.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID EUGENE EDWARDS, JEAN-YVES TOLA, KEVEN MARK SOLL, KEVIN SOLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind