Medulla Oblongata
Buke and Gase Lyrics
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Sterile in my white paper crown
When will you get better
So I can sew our lips together
Seems like it's been forever
Since I left you with these broken fingers
Broken tongue broken ears from not listening
False hopes and happiness in the barrel of my God
I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't
Help it, help it, help it, help it
Hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping for for full recovery
In the song "Medulla Oblongata" by Buke and Gase, the singer is pleading with someone they care about, who is either physically or emotionally unwell. The imagery used in the lyrics seems to suggest a sort of medical institution, with the singer being treated like a nurse in their loved one's arms. The use of the word "sterile" to describe their position adds to this clinical atmosphere, while the reference to a "white paper crown" could be interpreted as a hospital gown or a nurse's cap.
The singer expresses a desire for their loved one to get better, presumably so that they can reconnect and reconcile. They describe their own state as having "broken fingers, broken tongue, and broken ears from not listening," which suggests that they too have been harmed by the situation. The phrase "false hopes and happiness in the barrel of my God" is particularly poignant, implying a sense of religious disillusionment or skepticism. The singer seems to feel trapped in the situation, unable to escape the "hospitable danger" of their loved one's illness or instability.
Overall, the lyrics of "Medulla Oblongata" convey a sense of longing and frustration, as well as a strong sense of physical and emotional displacement. The use of medical imagery serves to underscore the sense of vulnerability and helplessness that the singer is experiencing, creating a powerful and evocative mood.
Line by Line Meaning
You treat me like a nurse in your arms
You hold me in your embrace, but it feels clinical and impersonal like I’m wearing a white uniform.
Sterile in my white paper crown
I feel isolated and alone, and even though I wear a paper crown, my head is empty and devoid of any true power.
When will you get better
I hope your condition improves soon so we can move forward and grow stronger.
So I can sew our lips together
I look forward to a time when we can communicate more openly and honestly with each other.
Seems like it's been forever
Time feels slow and interminable, and it seems like we’ve been stuck in this rut for a long time.
Since I left you with these broken fingers
I’ve been trying to fix our situation, but it feels like everything I’ve done has been clumsy and unsuccessful.
Broken tongue broken ears from not listening
Our communication is damaged, and we are struggling to hear each other and be heard in turn.
False hopes and happiness in the barrel of my God
I’ve put my faith in something that has proven unreliable or fickle, and it’s led me down a path of disappointment and disillusionment.
Get out of the hospitable danger doctor danger doctor
We’re in danger, and we need to leave this place of supposed safety before things get worse.
I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't
I feel trapped and helpless in my current situation, unable to change things or make them better on my own.
Help it, help it, help it, help it
I wish there was something I could do or someone who could help me fix things.
Hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping for for full recovery
I’m still holding out hope that we can heal and grow stronger, that we can move past our brokenness and finally recover from our wounds.
Contributed by Thomas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.