3/18/09 Bruford announced his retirement from performing on his web site.
Gothic 17
Bill Bruford Lyrics
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And in the darkened house
The little boy daren't make a sound
His parents whispering outside the door
He plans the day when they won't be there anymore
They're telling him this
They're telling him that
The way that he might react
He's lost in a maze
Of difficult days
He's sinking too fast
He's walking on broken glass
Speak softly to the child
For inbetween his head and racing heart
Lies something wild
No sense in shouting he can't hear for the noise
He plays with fire, broken glass twisted tin, broken toys
They're telling him this
They're telling him that
You'll never predict
The way that he might react
He's lost in a maze
Of difficult days
He's sinking too fast
He's walking on broken glass
The lyrics to Bill Bruford's song Gothic 17 describe the experiences of a little boy who is trapped in a dysfunctional family environment. The first verse establishes a cold and isolated atmosphere, with snow falling outside and the boy hiding in a darkened house. His parents are arguing outside his door, and he longs for the day when he won't have to listen to them anymore. The second verse reveals that the boy is struggling with anger and frustration, and may be dealing with abuse or neglect. He is surrounded by dangerous objects like broken glass and twisted metal, and seems to be in a constant state of confusion and despair. The chorus suggests that the boy's behavior may be unpredictable, and that he is in need of compassionate understanding from those around him.
The bridge of the song provides a crucial insight into the boy's mindset. The phrase "speaking softly to the child" is a metaphor for approaching him with kindness and empathy, rather than aggression and punishment. The boy's "racing heart" represents his fear and anxiety, while the "something wild" in his head represents his pent-up rage and trauma. The chorus repeats, reinforcing the idea that the boy is struggling to cope and needs help.
Overall, Gothic 17 is a poignant and deeply empathetic portrayal of a child in crisis. Bill Bruford's lyrics suggest that the boy's behavior is a symptom of a larger, systemic problem, and that his struggles cannot be overcome without understanding and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow falling all around
The setting is bleak and cold, perhaps representing the despair and isolation felt by the little boy
And in the darkened house
The darkness adds to the melancholic tone of the song
The little boy daren't make a sound
The boy is scared and keeping quiet, possibly due to fear of his parents' reactions
His parents whispering outside the door
The parents' conversation is keeping the boy awake and on edge
He plans the day when they won't be there anymore
The boy is dreaming of a future without his parents and the difficulties they bring to his life
They're telling him this
The parents are giving the boy advice or orders
They're telling him that
The parental advice/opinions directed at the boy are numerous and constant
You'll never predict
The behavior of the boy cannot be foreseen, adding to the parents' anxiety and frustration
The way that he might react
The boy has a temperamental side and may act unpredictably
He's lost in a maze
The boy is confused and directionless, perhaps due to the parents' conflicting advice
Of difficult days
The boy is going through a tough time in his life
He's sinking too fast
The boy is struggling to cope and is on the verge of losing control
He's walking on broken glass
The boy's emotional state is fragile and could shatter at any moment
Speak softly to the child
The tone of voice used by the parents is important to not escalate the boy's emotional state
For inbetween his head and racing heart
The boy is struggling to reconcile what he thinks and feels
Lies something wild
The boy has an unpredictable side that may manifest itself in violent or dangerous behavior
No sense in shouting he can't hear for the noise
The boy is too preoccupied with his own emotions to pay attention to anything else
He plays with fire, broken glass twisted tin, broken toys
The boy may have a destructive streak and is drawn to dangerous or broken things
Writer(s): DAVID STEWART, WILLIAM SCOTT BRUFORD
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.