Josephine
Beast From Sea Lyrics

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She folds her hands
Into the shape of a building that's crumbling down
They look away in the name of grace
Instead of facing the shame

Burned by the bright of the night
Something back inside
She dances in the spotlight

She's waiting for the right time

She folds her hands
Into the shape of a building that's crumbling down
They look away in the name of grace
Instead of facing the shame

Lay down your life
Burned by the bright of the night
Sell me back in

Walking out into the night
Is it all you think you see
Careful not to be polite
Nothing's handed out for free
Dancer
Throw your legs a little more

Sister
Bore a hole into the floor

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Josephine" by Beast From Sea paint a picture of a woman who is struggling, but also has a strong sense of resilience. The first two lines describe her folding her hands into the shape of a crumbling building, suggesting that she may feel like her life is falling apart, or that she's struggling to maintain a facade of strength despite feeling vulnerable. Despite this, the people around her "look away in the name of grace" instead of acknowledging what she's going through, suggesting that she may feel isolated and unsupported.

The chorus, which repeats twice in the song, is a mix of hopeful and despairing imagery. The line "burned by the bright of the night" is an interesting one, as it suggests that the woman is exposed to something bright and potentially overwhelming at night (like streetlights or headlights), but also that she's being "burned" by it. The next line, "something back inside," could be interpreted in a variety of ways – it could be a reference to something inside of her that she's trying to hide or repress, or it could be something like hope or determination that she's holding onto. The repetition of the lines "she dances in the spotlight / she's waiting for the right time" evoke the image of someone performing, or trying to put on a brave face, but also suggest that there is a sense of timing or strategy involved.

The rest of the lyrics are more ambiguous, but they suggest a sense of restlessness and a desire for something more. The line "sell me back in" could be interpreted in a few ways – it could be a plea to be allowed back into a community or group that the woman has been excluded from, or it could be a desire to sell herself back into a system of oppression or control. The final stanza is particularly striking, as it shifts from addressing the woman directly to more abstract commands. The lines "walking out into the night / is it all you think you see / careful not to be polite / nothing's handed out for free" are a combination of warnings and encouragements, as if the singer is telling the woman to be cautious but also to take risks and not expect handouts. The final two lines, addressed to a "dancer" and a "sister," respectively, are particularly intriguing – they suggest that the woman is surrounded by others who are struggling as well, and imply a sense of sisterhood or solidarity between them.

Line by Line Meaning

She folds her hands
She clasps her hands together in a gesture of contemplation or prayer

Into the shape of a building that's crumbling down
She creates a gesture resembling a dilapidated structure, perhaps implying that she herself is falling apart or in disrepair

They look away in the name of grace
Others turn their gaze from her in order to seem merciful or kind

Instead of facing the shame
Rather than confronting or dealing with the embarrassment, guilt, or negative emotions associated with her situation or actions

Burned by the bright of the night
Possibly injured or scarred by the brightness or intensity of the night, representing a reckoning, epiphany, or moment of truth

Something back inside
Perhaps feeling a spark or rekindling of a previous passion or emotion that had been buried or suppressed

She dances in the spotlight
She performs with attention and scrutiny from others, suggesting an exhibitionist tendency or desire for recognition

She's waiting for the right time
She is biding her time, perhaps planning, plotting, or scheming, until the opportune moment arises

Lay down your life
Surrender, sacrifice, or devote yourself completely to a cause or person, risking all that you have or are

Sell me back in
Return to or reconcile with a former partner or lover, possibly after a period of estrangement or separation

Walking out into the night
Venturing into unknown or dangerous territory, facing the uncertainty, challenge, or exhilaration of the journey

Is it all you think you see
Questioning the reliability or truthfulness of one's perceptions or interpretations, challenging assumptions or beliefs

Careful not to be polite
Advising against excessive deference, insincerity, or hypocrisy, urging authenticity or assertiveness instead

Nothing's handed out for free
Reminding that everything has a cost or consequence, either in terms of effort, sacrifice, or payment, and that nothing is truly free

Dancer
Perhaps an address to a female performer or artist, or a gesture of admiration or encouragement

Throw your legs a little more
Suggesting a greater show of enthusiasm, energy, or passion, possibly to impress or captivate an audience

Sister
Perhaps an affectionate term for a female friend, sibling, or confidant

Bore a hole into the floor
Perhaps an expression of intense emotion, desire, or frustration, urging the subject to express themselves or break free from constraints

Contributed by Brody T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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