Pommelhorse
Armand Hammer Lyrics

It started as a lesson of achieving dreams and reachin' fanstasical heights
The song starts with a dream of achieving something great.

Ended with us watchin' the Challenger rocket smolderin' on the black and white
The dream ended with the reality of the Challenger rocket explosion on television.

Flame licked flame, like lovers do
The flames from the rocket explosion were moving rapidly and erratically.

Feelings bum rush logic, tend to tumble through, pardon who
The emotional impact of the rocket explosion overpowered rational thinking for the artist.

Open sky, click the box, they cut the lights in the room
The artist is describing the scene of watching the rocket explosion on TV, where they turned off the lights and looked up at the sky.

In the summer before 9/11, I slept with my boots on where I could
The singer was ready to go at all times in the uncertain period before 9/11.

This ain't no boo-hoo retellin', I was still killin my [?], I was good
The singer is not looking for sympathy, but expressing that they were still doing well in their personal pursuits.

I got where I needed to be a few days before we breathed different
The artist arrived at their destination before a changing point in their life.

Hammerin' horseshoes, a pale horse is fittin'
The artist uses the imagery of horseshoeing and a pale horse to convey a sense of foreboding or death.

Clean entrance, blood stamped, services rendered, paid in full
The artist describes a sinister transaction that has been completed.

Boomin' succession, I'm on the roof across the river
The singer is describing an intense and significant moment that they are observing from afar.

Every nerve at attention, no reception, soul in suspension
The artist is feeling heightened anxiety in the moment, with no ability to communicate with anyone.

I'm grounded but sinked into African burial ground from here to Seneca village
The singer is describing a sense of connection with their surroundings, feeling like they are a part of a historical and significant place.

You can't dig a hole fast enough, deep enough, wide as fuck
The singer expresses an intense feeling of frustration or distress that cannot be resolved through physical effort alone.

Built for comfort, not for speed
The singer uses a familiar saying to suggest that something is designed to serve its purpose well, without being flashy or extravagant.

Peak optimization of Earth, digest [?]
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a state of harmony or balance in nature, but the meaning of the line is unclear.

Scream therapy
The artist describes a type of therapy that involves expressing intense emotions through screaming.

Coaxin' melodies from the noise
The singer is describing the creative process of finding beauty or meaning in chaos and confusion.

You know, I never lost my song
The singer is expressing that they have always maintained their identity and voice, even in difficult times.

When the moon and the planet and the stars collapse
The chorus uses a metaphor to describe a catastrophic and unimaginable event.

With that mortgage, tornado insurance
The artist is describing practical concerns such as insuring their home against natural disasters.

That house will be my old lady's coffin
The artist is expressing a sense of finality or inevitability about their living situation.

Ill winds, more often snatch negroes off porches
The singer uses figurative language to describe a sense of danger or peril in their environment.

Took the curtain down, Oz
The artist is using a reference to The Wizard of Oz to describe a moment of disillusionment or realization.

Corporation to corporation remorseless
The singer is describing a sense of dispassionate and uncaring behavior by large companies or organizations.

Bureaucrats cautious, callin' corporate, callin' corporate
The singer describes an ineffective and frustrating situation where people are passing the buck and no one is taking responsibility.

Wind rattle your shingle, gavel bang
The singer creates a contrast between the natural sound of wind against the harsh and artificial sound of a gavel.

Now you human chattle, the king thought to mingle with the rabble
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a sense of oppression or marginalization by those in power.

Fell back leakin'
The artist uses a slang phrase to describe a moment of falling or failing.

The people, with claws reachin', eyes like sequins
The singer describes the image of a threatening mob, using vivid and intense language.

While candles glow, play my mother's piano in a bando
The singer creates a contrast between a comforting or nostalgic moment and a dangerous or unstable environment.

Duelin' banjoes, get money (get money)
The artist is using a reference to the movie Deliverance to describe a moment of conflict or competition.

But these pennies feel like they can cover manholes
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a sense of futility or hopelessness in their financial situation.

Shoot hick cops, Rambo, Mujahideen still on
The artist uses violent and aggressive language to describe a sense of anger or frustration towards authority figures or society.

A simpler time, bustin' Mexican brick into dime
The singer is describing a moment from their past when they were engaging in illegal activity.

Feelin' like Pennywise, what a time to be alive
The artist makes a reference to the evil clown Pennywise from Stephen King's IT, describing a sense of chaos or danger in the world.

Tackle over chicken thighs, Church's fried
The singer is using a metaphor to describe a moment of struggle or competition.

Boarded up, we still inside, goat's hide
The singer is describing a moment of feeling isolated or trapped in a dangerous environment.

While you fuck jealous
The singer uses offensive language to express a sense of frustration or anger towards someone who is envious or critical of them.

Might trip you on the stairs to the cellar
The artist is using a metaphor to describe how they might take someone down who is a threat to them.

Show you forever, together, [?] great
The meaning of this line is unclear, but the artist seems to be describing a sense of unity or togetherness.

Szechuan pepper sprayed awake
The singer is using a metaphor to describe a sense of awakening or realization, with the reference to Szechuan pepper suggesting an intense experience.

The leper'll tell you straight
The singer is suggesting that someone who is outcast or marginalized has a perspective that is just as valid as others.

Family and friends'll lie to your face
The artist expresses a sense of betrayal or dishonesty from those who are supposed to be supportive and trustworthy.

Lie to the last day
The artist suggests that someone who is dishonest will continue to be so until the very end.

Lie after that while you molder in the grave
The artist uses a metaphor to describe a sense of eternal restlessness or dissatisfaction caused by dishonesty or betrayal.