The Boy Who
Capercaillie Lyrics
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Where blood runs like wine
In the rhythm of this city, man, he knows no pity
Just live and work and die
There's the boy who sells his dreams to buy a little time
He's the boy who sells his pearl-ragged dreams
In a land that breaks your heart with its bullets and its guns
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
A raven circles high in a tapestry of blue
Swirling 'round and 'round
Its eyes glint like diamonds as if it knows the reasons
Of something I should know
And I would sell my dreams just to buy a little time
Searching for the refuge of unknown
'Cause this place would hold you down like a fever in your veins
And you would sell your pearl-ragged dreams
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
The lyrics of “The Boy Who” by Capercaillie paint a picture of a city filled with violence and despair. The heart of all the troubles is where blood runs like wine, and man knows no pity. The boy who sells his dreams to buy a little time is a poignant image of someone trying to escape their harsh reality. The land is broken by bullets and guns, and despite the hardships, the singer identifies with these people. They are “my people” despite the difficulties, and the longer that the struggles go on, the stronger the singer will become.
The raven in the second verse seems to symbolize something that is beyond the singer’s understanding. The bird’s eyes glint like diamonds, and it seems to know the reasons behind the struggles and hardships. The idea that the singer would sell their dreams just to buy a little time is repeated, emphasizing the desperation that people in these harsh conditions face. The mention of the fever in the veins highlights the all-encompassing nature of the struggles that they face, but despite it all, the singer identifies with their people and will continue to grow stronger through all of their struggles.
Overall, this song is a message of resilience and perseverance in the face of difficult situations. The singer identifies with their community and knows that they are all in this together. The imagery of selling dreams and pearl-ragged dreams emphasizes the desperation that people in these situations face. The image of the raven and the mention of the fever in the veins are both powerful metaphors that highlight the all-encompassing impact of these struggles. Despite it all, the singer remains strong, and their strength will continue to grow as they face these challenges together.
Line by Line Meaning
Consider waking here in the heart of all the troubles
Think about waking up in a place where problems are abundant
Where blood runs like wine
Where violence and conflict are commonplace
In the rhythm of this city, man, he knows no pity
In this place, people have become desensitized to the suffering around them
Just live and work and die
The daily routine is monotonous, unfulfilling, and leads only to death
There's the boy who sells his dreams to buy a little time
There is a young man who is willing to give up his aspirations to improve his immediate situation
He's the boy who sells his pearl-ragged dreams
He is the young man who lets go of his invaluable dreams
In a land that breaks your heart with its bullets and its guns
This is a place where violence and conflict are pervasive and disrupts the peace
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
These are the people I identify with, and this is the only life I have experienced
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
The more time that passes, the more resilient I become
A raven circles high in a tapestry of blue
A bird circles above in the blue sky
Swirling 'round and 'round
Spinning in circles, possibly symbolizing confusion or lost direction
Its eyes glint like diamonds as if it knows the reasons
Despite appearing mundane, the bird may hold great knowledge or insight
Of something I should know
The singer feels like there is a hidden truth that they are unaware of
And I would sell my dreams just to buy a little time
I am also willing to part with my own aspirations to improve my situation
Searching for the refuge of unknown
Seeking an escape or haven from the troubles of this known world
'Cause this place would hold you down like a fever in your veins
This place is like a persistent illness, trapping and controlling those caught within it
And you would sell your pearl-ragged dreams
Others in this place may also give up their valuable aspirations to survive
Oh these, they are my people, and this is all I know
I find comfort in being with these people and this way of life despite the struggles
The longer this goes on, my friend, the stronger I will grow
Resilience and fortitude will continue to build as time passes
Contributed by Max W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.