Soul of a Man
Beck Lyrics
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Staring down an empty hall
Deep down in a hollow log
Coming home like a letter bomb
Cold was the storm
That covered the night
Put a fire into your bones
Sic a dog on all you know
Cut it loose before you go
Cold was the storm
That covered the night
What makes the soul, the soul of a man?
Beat my bones against the wall
Put a bank note on your bond
Gris Gris and a goldenrod
Down deep in a hollow log
Cold was the storm
That buried the night
What makes the soul, the soul of a man?
The song "Soul of a Man" by Beck is a contemplative piece about the nature of the human soul. The opening lines "Beat my bones against the wall/Staring down an empty hall" suggest a feeling of frustration and isolation. The reference to a "hollow log" creates a sense of being lost and alone in the woods. The use of the metaphor "Coming home like a letter bomb" suggests that the soul is explosive and unpredictable, much like a letter bomb.
The chorus of the song "Cold was the storm/That covered the night" creates a mood of darkness and foreboding. The verse "Call a doctor, call a ghost//Put a fire into your bones/Sic a dog on all you know/Cut it loose before you go" suggests a sense of urgency and intensity.
The final verse "What makes the soul, the soul of a man?" is the central question of the song. The idea that the soul is what defines us as human beings is a common theme in music and art. Beck's lyrics suggest that the soul is a difficult concept to define and understand.
Overall, "Soul of a Man" is a powerful song that speaks to the human experience of struggle and the search for meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Beat my bones against the wall
Experiencing intense emotional pain
Staring down an empty hall
Feeling lonely and isolated
Deep down in a hollow log
Feeling lost and trapped in one's thoughts
Coming home like a letter bomb
Returning to a situation that is about to explode
Cold was the storm
That covered the night
Experiencing a dark and difficult time
Call a doctor, call a ghost
Desperately seeking help
Put a fire into your bones
Motivating oneself to take action
Sic a dog on all you know
Fighting against everything one has known
Cut it loose before you go
Letting go of the past before moving on
Beat my bones against the wall
Experiencing intense emotional pain
Put a bank note on your bond
Sacrificing something valuable for a higher cause
Gris Gris and a goldenrod
Using spiritual objects for protection and guidance
Down deep in a hollow log
Feeling lost and trapped in one's thoughts
Cold was the storm
That buried the night
Experiencing a dark and difficult time
What makes the soul, the soul of a man?
Questioning the true essence of human identity
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Beck Hansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind