Wayward Parliament
Amy Millan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sun is done for the day
That's when the girls come by through the silver blinds
We'll watch the drinking lie on the pavement
That's our sentiment
Down by the railway the bicycles are there
An apocalyptic fair for the alive
It's a sign the messengers they bring
That plays our lullaby
In "Wayward And Parliament" by Amy Millan, the lyrics paint a picture of a dystopian world where man-made moons light up the night sky. As the sun sets, the main character observes girls coming by through silver blinds to witness the chaos that ensues in the streets. The sentiment among those watching is to see the drinking lie on the pavement, suggesting a lack of hope or purpose in their lives. As they gather by the railway, they witness the bicycles abandoned there, serving as a symbol of the apocalypse that surrounds them. The messengers that come through with their stainless steel wings on a 45 represent the only way out - listening to the lullaby that plays on their record.
The song evokes a sense of sadness and despair, as if the characters have lost all sense of direction and purpose. The scene the lyrics describe is hauntingly beautiful, portraying a world where the natural order has been disrupted and replaced by a man-made version of reality. The apocalyptic imagery used in "Wayward And Parliament" serves to drive home the bleak nature of the world the song takes place in.
Line by Line Meaning
Man made moons they go on one by one
The numerous artificial lights in the cityscape gradually light up after sunset.
When the sun is done for the day
Referring to sunset or the end of a workday.
That's when the girls come by through the silver blinds
Female figures are seen through silver blinds during the evening.
We'll watch the drinking lie on the pavement
People pass out from drinking and end up lying on the ground.
That's our sentiment
The state of the surrounding environment, as described by the previous lines, evokes a mood of nostalgia or longing.
Down by the railway the bicycles are there
Bicycles are parked near a railroad track.
An apocalyptic fair for the alive
The combination of the setting and events prompts a feeling of a post-apocalyptic world.
It's a sign the messengers they bring
The presence or occurrence of these events is seen as a sign or omen.
With their stainless steel wings on a 45
The messengers are depicted with wings made of stainless steel on a 45 record, which represents their role in delivering a message or experience through music.
That plays our lullaby
The music played by the messengers has a calming or soothing effect, like a lullaby.
Contributed by Maya K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.