Read the blog about it here: http://blog.amandapalmer.net/post/4704361831/rethink-music-im-making-a-ninja-record-w-ben-folds
The album can be bought and downloaded at http://music.amandapalmer.net/album/nighty-night
The Problem With Saints
8in8 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pronouncing that she won't get burned again
Her armour's very shiny and her message is divine
But I wish she'd take a day off now and then
She said it clears your head when you come back from the
Dead
With your sword as sharp as anything that cuts
Utrecht
Which rapidly displayed a lot of guts
She says we need to
Raise a brand new army
And the flag of France
So proudly she unfurled
And the people that
She hated will be neatly bifurcated
And the British will
No longer rule the world
(She says) it was a mistake to let them burn her at the
Stake
And she learned a lesson back there in the flames
So she's going to kill the queen and then she'll rescue Old
Orleans
And it's really hard to hang around with saints
I think I ought to tell her that the English left in failure
And they don't go back to France except on hols
But I saw her vivisect a man who wanted to correct her --
And the playground soon resembled grand guignol
She says we need to
Raise a brand new army
And she marched us
Round until we couldn't stand
She says the nation
She abhors will soon be writhing on the floor
And the British will
No longer rule her land
And she's waiting for the dauphin who will come across the
Ocean,
And knows that God agrees with her complaints
So I'm hoping that she'll ignore my English accent in her
War
'Cause it's really hard to hang around with saints
She says we need to
Raise a brand new army
And the flag of France
So proudly she unfurled
And the people that
She hated will be neatly bifurcated
And the British will
No longer rule
The British will no longer rule
The British will no longer rule the
World!
The song "The Problem with Saints" by 8in8 is a satirical commentary on the fervent nationalism and aggressive militarism of Joan of Arc. The song paints a picture of a dangerous and deluded figure who is stubbornly clinging to a vision of a France that no longer exists, and who is willing to use violence and brutality to achieve her goals. The lyrics are filled with vivid and often grotesque images, such as Joan vivisecting a man who dared to correct her, or bisecting three tourists from Utrecht. The singer of the song is clearly skeptical of Joan's message and her methods, and repeatedly expresses a desire for her to take a break and reflect on the consequences of her actions.
The song can be read as a broader critique of nationalism and militancy more generally. By lampooning Joan's obsession with national identity and her willingness to use violence to achieve her goals, the song highlights the dangers of this kind of thinking. The use of humor and exaggeration also serves to undermine the seriousness with which many people approach ideas like patriotism and militarism, challenging listeners to question their own assumptions and attitudes towards these concepts.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish that Joan of Arc wouldn't hang around the park
Joan of Arc's constant presence is a nuisance at the park
Pronouncing that she won't get burned again
Joan of Arc asserts her belief in her invincibility
Her armour's very shiny and her message is divine
Joan of Arc has a striking appearance and claims to have a divine message
But I wish she'd take a day off now and then
Although Joan of Arc is a legend, she would benefit from taking a break occasionally
She said it clears your head when you come back from the dead
Joan of Arc believes that dying and returning to life has a salutary effect on one's mind
With your sword as sharp as anything that cuts
Joan of Arc claims her weapon is unbeatable
And to prove it she bisected three young tourists from Utrecht
Joan of Arc showcases her supposed strength by slicing through unsuspecting tourists
Which rapidly displayed a lot of guts
The sight of Joan of Arc's violent act elicited a visceral response, impressing onlookers
She says we need to...
Joan of Arc urges the formation of a new military, to conquer France's enemies
And the flag of France...
Joan of Arc proudly unfurls her country's flag, a symbol of her patriotism
So proudly she unfurled
Joan of Arc takes pride in her country and its past
And the people that...
Joan of Arc targets specific groups of people that she deems as enemies
And the British will...
Joan of Arc declares her intention to expel the British from her country
(She says) it was a mistake to let them burn her at the stake
Joan of Arc sees her past execution as an error and lashes out against her oppressors
And she learned a lesson back there in the flames
Joan of Arc believes that her traumatic experiences have taught her valuable life lessons
So she's going to kill the queen and then she'll rescue Old Orleans
Joan of Arc fantasizes about revenge against her enemies and restoring her hometown
And it's really hard to hang around with saints
Being in the company of Joan of Arc is challenging due to her extreme beliefs and actions
I think I ought to tell her that the English left in failure
The singer contemplates informing Joan of Arc that the English have already been defeated
And they don't go back to France except on hols
The English no longer hold power in France except as tourists
But I saw her vivisect a man who wanted to correct her --
The artist observes Joan of Arc mutilating a person who dared to challenge her beliefs
And the playground soon resembled grand guignol
The scene quickly turned gruesome and bloody, like a horror show
And she marched us round until we couldn't stand
Joan of Arc relentlessly drives her followers to their limits
And she's waiting for the dauphin who will come across the Ocean,
Joan of Arc is anticipating a messiah-like figure who will help her cause
And knows that God agrees with her complaints
Joan of Arc feels that God is on her side, validating her crusade
So I'm hoping that she'll ignore my English accent in her War
The singer, as an English person, hopes to avoid becoming an enemy in Joan of Arc's eyes
The British will no longer rule the World!
Joan of Arc triumphantly declares the end of the British Empire's dominance
Contributed by Kennedy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LarryHoldaway
Awesome!
@DavidJohnWellman
Awesome :-D
@TheFluorescentNinja
Brava!
@ShonaLavellan
Nice!
@nandavalenti
The cat/god was hilarious! ;D
@ragdolltwisty
@Eirabeth There's a resemblance ; ]
@katbite
lol! whats ceiling cat doing in there?
@eruanna317
@katbite Ha! :) i was wondering if anybody would mention that. Since she's sure "God agrees with her complaints," I figured ceiling cat would make a good "God"
@RockingJamboree
Thumbs up if @neilhimself sent you!
@MrBBones
Bifurcated people unite!