Goin' Down
Allan Nicholls Lyrics
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Lucifer and me
Just like the angel that fell
Banished forever to Hell
Today have I been expelled
From high school heaven
Elevator going down
This is my doom, my humiliation
October, not June
And it's summer vacation
Such a disgrace
How can i face the nation?
Why should this pain
Bring me such strange elation?
Emancipation proclamation
Oh Dr. Lincoln
My head needs shrinkin'
Lu lu lu lu lu lu Lucifer and me
Doomed from here
To e-ter-ni-ty!
Everybody going down down down
Going down
Forgive me if I don't cry
It's like the Fourth of July
Thank God that angels can fly
Going down down down
The lyrics to the song "Goin' Down" by Allan Nicholls tell a story of a student who has been expelled from high school and is feeling humiliated and disgraced by the experience. The student compares himself to Lucifer, who was banished from Heaven, and feels as though he has been banished to Hell. He expresses a sense of both pain and elation at his situation, unsure of how to face the nation and the future. The student makes a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, indicating perhaps that he feels he has been set free from a system that he did not fit into.
The elevator going down represents the student's fall from grace and the punishment he is receiving. Despite the pain he feels, the student is unapologetic and does not cry. He even expresses gratitude that at least angels can fly, perhaps indicating that he feels he has the ability to rise above his current situation.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the injustices of the education system and the feelings of displacement and rejection that some students experience. It suggests that sometimes, being cast out can be a form of liberation rather than a punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and Lucifer
I am with the devil, Lucifer
Lucifer and me
Lucifer and I are together
Just like the angel that fell
Similar to the angel that was cast down from heaven
Banished forever to Hell
Sentenced to eternal damnation in Hell
Today have I been expelled
I have been expelled from high school today
From high school heaven
I have been expelled from a school that was like heaven to me
Elevator going down
My situation is getting worse
Going down
Things are not improving
This is my doom, my humiliation
I am doomed and humiliated
October, not June
This is happening in October and not June
And it's summer vacation
It is the summer holidays
Such a disgrace
This is very shameful
How can I face the nation?
How can I face the public?
Why should this pain
Why am I feeling pleasure in this pain?
Bring me such strange elation?
Why is this bringing me strange happiness?
Emancipation proclamation
The law that declared all slaves under Confederate control to be free (US history reference)
Oh Dr. Lincoln
Oh, Doctor Lincoln (referring to President Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation)
My head needs shrinkin'
I need mental help
Lu lu lu lu lu lu Lucifer and me
Repeating that Lucifer and I are together
Doomed from here
I am doomed from this moment
To e-ter-ni-ty!
I am doomed forever
Everybody going down down down
Everyone is failing or falling down
Forgive me if I don't cry
Please excuse me if I don't cry
It's like the Fourth of July
It's like celebrating independence, but not in a good way
Thank God that angels can fly
Some small relief that angels can fly away from the situation
Going down down down
Things are still getting worse
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt Mac Dermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind