My Big Nurse
Byrne Eno Lyrics

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When the lake's on fire
With all the world's desires
When he shakes the stars above
When we lose the ones we love

When the seasons lose their grip
When the tightrope walker slips

I'm counting all the possibilities

When the past becomes the now
When the lost becomes the found
When we fall in love with war
When the angel fucks the whore

When the road we travel on
Takes us back where we came from

A million kinds of possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon

In the comfort of the world
In the arms of my big nurse
From the science of the heart
To each animal and plant

Compact, relaxed, intact, give thanks

I'm counting all the possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon

Overall Meaning

My Big Nurse by David Byrne and Brian Eno is a song that confronts the listener with a series of contrasting images that provoke questions about the human experience. The lyrics seem to suggest that amidst all the chaos and uncertainty of life, there is a sense of comfort that can be found in the embrace of an all-encompassing figure, represented as a "big nurse." This nurse is not only a physical caregiver but also a metaphorical symbol of the stability and safety that we seek in a world filled with unpredictability.

The song speaks to the idea that life is full of contradictions, and we are constantly navigating them. Byrne and Eno highlight these contradictions through their choice of imagery, underscoring the idea that there are opposing forces at play in every aspect of our lives. The song draws on themes of love, loss, war, and spirituality, creating a tapestry of emotions that are both complex and universal.

Overall, the lyrics of My Big Nurse celebrate the human experience, with all its ups and downs, and suggest that we find peace by accepting the many possibilities and contradictions of life, and embracing the comfort and love that can be found in the arms of the "big nurse."

Line by Line Meaning

When the lake's on fire
When everything is chaotic and out of control

With all the world's desires
With everyone wanting more and more

When he shakes the stars above
When something unpredictable happens

When we lose the ones we love
When we experience heartbreak and sadness

When the seasons lose their grip
When things no longer follow a predictable pattern

When the tightrope walker slips
When things go wrong unexpectedly

I'm counting all the possibilities
I am considering all the different outcomes

When the past becomes the now
When old experiences affect the present

When the lost becomes the found
When something that was missing is rediscovered

When we fall in love with war
When humans become obsessed with conflict and violence

When the angel fucks the whore
When opposites come together in unexpected ways