Cataclysm
Brute. Lyrics

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Bang the hubcap slowly
But swing the hammer hard
The cataclysm is over
They′ve swept away the shards

Shout a loud hosanna
And burn a big brassiere
The cataclysm is over

That fast the tragic path is cleared

Keep a steady vigil
A church in your lunchbox

The cataclysm is over
They've reset the horror clocks

Overall Meaning

These lyrics embody the idea of destruction and renewal. The first two lines talk about banging a hubcap slowly but swinging a hammer hard. This is a metaphor for the importance of being deliberate and careful in the process of destruction but also the necessary intensity needed to bring about change. The cataclysm in question has ended and the broken pieces are swept away. This could either refer to a literal physical event or could be seen as a more metaphorical representation of the end of difficult times.

The following lines of the lyrics call for a celebration and a sense of renewal. The call to shout a loud hosanna and burn a big brassiere signify the need to mark the occasion with a sense of joy and spiritual celebration. The last line suggests that the end of the cataclysm has cleared the path for a better future.

The final line ties everything together by urging listeners to maintain a steady vigil and carry their spirituality with them on a daily basis. This serves as a reminder that even though the worst is over, we must remain vigilant and prepared to face future challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Bang the hubcap slowly
Make noise at a slow and steady pace

But swing the hammer hard
Put in a lot of effort and force

The cataclysm is over
A disastrous event has come to an end

They′ve swept away the shards
The broken pieces have been cleared away

Shout a loud hosanna
Sing a song of praise and celebration

And burn a big brassiere
Light a large fire in honor of the occasion

That fast the tragic path is cleared
The terrible situation has been resolved quickly

Keep a steady vigil
Be watchful and alert

A church in your lunchbox
Hold onto your faith and spirituality throughout the day

They've reset the horror clocks
The frightening events have been reset and resolved

Writer(s): Vic Chesnutt

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