The Trinity Session is perhaps their best known record, recorded live in a single day on a single microphone in a church in Toronto. This album also included a unique cover version of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". Reed reportedly liked the Junkies' version of the song better than his own, and began performing their version in concert.
None of the band's subsequent albums have been hits outside of Canada, although the band has maintained a dedicated following and have continued to have chart hits in their native country. Following their 1998 album Miles from Our Home, Cowboy Junkies were dropped from their major label contract. They have continued to release albums on their own independent label, Latent Records.
Marathon
Cowboy Junkies Lyrics
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Blue Windsor knots framed by basic black
Resplendent tables
Great forests of paper plates
Carrying the weight of the world
Saps every ounce of your strength
In training to run a marathon
With your Sunday shoes on
In training to run a marathon
Miles and miles and miles
With your dress shoes on
But all the recurring dreams
Will increase and then peter out and cease
Tears do evaporate
But oh so slowly like piss on toilet seat
In training to run a marathon
Miles and miles and miles
With your Sunday shoes on
In training to run a marathon
Miles and miles and miles
With your dress shoes on
The lyrics of Cowboy Junkies' song Marathon depict the challenges of taking on heavy responsibilities and the pressure that comes with it. The song opens with the image of a to-do list on a long yellow legal pad and blue Windsor knots framed by basic black, suggesting the drudgery and formality of the situation. The lines "Resplendent tables/Great forests of paper plates" conjure up the image of a lavish event, perhaps a corporate dinner or conference, where everything is elaborate and overwhelming. The next line, "Carrying the weight of the world," is a striking departure from the imagery and indicates the burden of responsibility that the singer feels. The repetition of "Saps every ounce of your strength" reinforces the futility of effort and the hopelessness of the situation.
The second stanza uses the metaphor of "training to run a marathon" to describe the ongoing struggles of dealing with the enormity of the task at hand. The phrase "Miles and miles and miles" is repeated, emphasizing the expansiveness of the task and the distance that still needs to be covered. The choice of footwear, Sunday shoes and dress shoes, suggests a level of discomfort and impediment to the task, adding to the difficulty of the situation. The following lines about recurring dreams and tears that "evaporate" further emphasize the transience of the situation, the fleetingness of hope, and the inevitability of failure.
Line by Line Meaning
To-do lists on a long yellow legal pad
Writing down tasks on a legal pad, preparing for a long and arduous journey
Blue Windsor knots framed by basic black
Dressing up in formal attire, getting ready for a challenge
Resplendent tables
Setting up a grand feast, a reward for the hard work ahead
Great forests of paper plates
Preparing for a large gathering, stocking up on cheap and disposable supplies
Carrying the weight of the world
Feeling burdened by the enormity of the task ahead, but persevering nonetheless
Saps every ounce of your strength
Draining your energy and resolve, but pushing through the exhaustion
In training to run a marathon
Preparing for a long and grueling race, both physically and mentally
Miles and miles and miles
Covering great distances, pushing yourself to the limit
With your Sunday shoes on
Going all out, putting your best foot forward despite the hardships
But all the recurring dreams
Having visions of success and glory, but also fears and doubts that may hold you back
Will increase and then peter out and cease
The dreams may come and go, fluctuating in intensity and duration, but eventually fading
Tears do evaporate
Emotional pain and anxiety may diminish over time, but not without leaving a mark
But oh so slowly like piss on toilet seat
Gradual and unpleasant changes that cannot be ignored, a metaphor for the lingering effects of stress
With your dress shoes on
Continuing to strive and persevere, no matter what obstacles come your way
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESNUTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ellesee Georgiadis
on Mining For Gold
How beautiful! Thank you for your voice. Thank you for your heart.