Pass in Time
Cales Lyrics


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Strange times in Casablanca when people pull down their shades
And its easy enough for us to look at each other and wonder why
We were to blame
Blame comes remorselessly transfixed

Like the sound of slamming doors
And doors have doors have doors have doors have doors
Like companions have pets they sleep in each other's mattresses
Like maggots in despair

And bleed in each other's nests and make a mess of each other's snares
Strange times in Casablanca
Strange times
They make some striking couples

They make some frustration of the call
And only those who are satisfied by friendship would even pay
Attention to it all
It comes like mail or telegrams

It comes expectant as a widow in heat as a widow in the searing heat
And that contentment of depression that delivers most of the time
But cannot help the styling of the horns in the shape of gargoyle
Broken prints savage fingers

Undertaken catamaran
Strange times in Casablanca
We've turned our back on it once before
And we can hear from across the waters what damage it will cause us

And you can smash once more




And they can smash once more
But I don't think anybody wants to smash anymore

Overall Meaning

“Pass in Time” by Calexico is a song that speaks for itself in terms of its lyrical content. It is a somber and thought-provoking work that wrestles with the complexities of emotional turmoil and despair amidst an uncertain and difficult time. The song’s opening line, “Strange times in Casablanca when people pull down their shades,” evokes an image of distress and fear in a foreign setting.


The song’s central theme revolves around the concept of blame, and how it can become transfixed and obsessive in the minds of those who bear it. The use of repeated words such as “doors,” “companions,” and “maggots” gives a vivid and bleak picture of despair and destruction. However, there is a sense of shared experience and empathy that runs throughout the song, as Calexico writes, “Only those who are satisfied by friendship would even pay attention to it all.”


Despite the sadness that permeates the song, there is also a sense of resilience and determination. The line, “And they can smash once more, but I don't think anybody wants to smash anymore,” suggests that there is a collective desire to move forward and rebuild rather than perpetuate a cycle of destruction. Overall, “Pass in Time” is a haunting and powerful reflection on the human capacity for both pain and hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Strange times in Casablanca when people pull down their shades
The situation in Casablanca is tense and people are hiding away from view.


And its easy enough for us to look at each other and wonder why
It's easy to contemplate the cause of the situation.


We were to blame
We played a role in the situation.


Blame comes remorselessly transfixed
Blame is a constant and inescapable presence.


Like the sound of slamming doors
It's loud and jarring.


And doors have doors have doors have doors have doors
There are so many possibilities and layers to the situation.


Like companions have pets they sleep in each other's mattresses
People are close and intertwined.


Like maggots in despair
Like despairing insects.


And bleed in each other's nests and make a mess of each other's snares
People hurt each other in their close relationships.


They make some striking couples
The relationships are intense and impactful.


They make some frustration of the call
The situation is frustrating and confusing.


And only those who are satisfied by friendship would even pay attention to it all
Only those who value their relationships would care enough to try and understand.


It comes like mail or telegrams
The situation arrives suddenly and unexpectedly.


It comes expectant as a widow in heat as a widow in the searing heat
The situation is anticipated and can be overwhelming.


And that contentment of depression that delivers most of the time
The situation is often depressing.


But cannot help the styling of the horns in the shape of gargoyle
It's an unusual and unsettling situation.


Broken prints savage fingers
There's been violence and destruction.


Undertaken catamaran
It's a difficult and complicated situation.


Strange times in Casablanca
The situation in Casablanca is still strange and difficult.


We've turned our back on it once before
We've tried to ignore the situation before.


And we can hear from across the waters what damage it will cause us
We're aware of the repercussions of not dealing with the situation.


And you can smash once more
We have the power to cause more destruction.


And they can smash once more
Others have the power to cause more destruction.


But I don't think anybody wants to smash anymore
Nobody wants to continue causing destruction.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Dalibor Matula

Nádherná muzika a zpěv také nemá chybu - díky !!!

Kyppoo Death

Skvelý album 🙂

Solution Systems

Thanks

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