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Black and Milds
Cataldo Lyrics
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I've got money saved up
I can buy a new name
But I wonder
How many Mennonites might feel just like this?
I'll learn German, I'll teach sermons and lose my lisp
But I wonder, I wonder
(someone's keeping you warm)
Do you see my face when
(your chest is crossed with his arms)
I'm bummin' Black and Milds
(Not too many years old)
How much free smoke can you breathe
(and still be young in the bones?)
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
I'm tearing shingles from a roof that's still my home
To keep my head from getting drenched Until that home is gone
But I wonder
If we can hammer in the rain when we're Frozen thaw
How many years until we rest under new sturdy walls?
But I wonder, I wonder
Do you think my name
(someone's keeping you warm)
Do you see my face when
(your chest is crossed with his arms)
I'm bummin' Black and Milds
(Not too many years old)
How much free smoke can you breathe
(and still be young in the bones?)
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
Do you think my name
Someone's keeping you warm
Do you see my face when
Your chest is crossed with his arms?
Bummin' Black and Milds
And not too many years old
How much free smoke can you breathe
And still be young in the bones?
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
Wha-ohhhhh, wha-ohhhhhh
The lyrics to Cataldo's song "Black and Milds" explore themes of identity, transformation, and longing. The first stanza reflects the desire to escape and start anew, with the singer willing to shed their physical features and even their name in the hope of becoming someone else. However, the mention of Mennonites and German suggests a deeper desire for cultural change and a possible connection to the singer's heritage. The second stanza explores the idea of survival and endurance, with the singer metaphorically tearing shingles off their home to keep their head above water. The final stanza returns to the central question of the song, asking if the person the singer desires thinks of them at all while they smoke Black and Milds and grapple with their own identity.
The repetition of the lines "Do you think my name/Do you see my face" suggests a longing for connection and recognition, but also a painful realization that they may not be remembered or desired by the person they are addressing. The Black and Milds, a type of cigar, come to symbolize a temporary comfort for the singer, but also represent a sense of stagnation and a reluctance to fully confront the challenges they face.
Overall, "Black and Milds" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the complexities of personal transformation and the search for connection and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna shed my skin, my hair, my face
I wish I could change my identity completely
I've got money saved up
I have some savings to use towards changing my identity
I can buy a new name
I can pay to legally change my name
But I wonder
But I am uncertain about something
How many Mennonites might feel just like this?
I wonder how many people from conservative religious communities feel trapped and want to start over
I'll learn German, I'll teach sermons and lose my lisp
I will learn a new language and become a religious leader with better speech
Do you think my name
Are you still thinking of me?
(someone's keeping you warm)
(are you with someone new?)
Do you see my face when
Do you remember my face when?
(your chest is crossed with his arms)
(you're intimate with someone else)
I'm bummin' Black and Milds
I am smoking cheap cigars
(Not too many years old)
(even though they are not good for me)
How much free smoke can you breathe
How much can we indulge in unhealthy habits before it catches up to us?
(and still be young in the bones?)
(and still feel vibrant and full of life?)
I'm tearing shingles from a roof that's still my home
I am making destructive choices even though I have a stable foundation
To keep my head from getting drenched
To avoid feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
Until that home is gone
Until I completely destroy what I have built for myself
If we can hammer in the rain when we're Frozen thaw
If we can work together and persevere during difficult times
How many years until we rest under new sturdy walls?
How long until we can rebuild something that is strong and reliable?
Do you think my name
Are you still thinking of me?
(someone's keeping you warm)
(are you with someone new?)
Do you see my face when
Do you remember my face when?
(your chest is crossed with his arms?)
(you're intimate with someone else)
Bummin' Black and Milds
Smoking cheap cigars
And not too many years old
Even though it's not good for me
How much free smoke can you breathe
How much can we indulge in unhealthy habits before it catches up to us?
And still be young in the bones?
And still feel vibrant and full of life?
Contributed by Jack N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
E2theB
saw them at a small venue years ago. still one of my favorite bands ever.
Scantily-Clad Platypus
Love this song...
Brittney Zai
I love cataldo <3
Marcus Baker
I wish more people listened to this band.
Jonathan Kemp
This song makes every car ride infinitely better.
Karrie Byler
Hahaha Mennonites? That's great.
Lady Amore'
again I say the Band should never have stolen a family name....it wasn't yours to use.