A Small Plot of Land
David Bowie Lyrics


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Poor soul
Spit upon that
Poor soul
He never knew what hit him
And it hit him so

Poor dunce
He pushed back the pigmen
The Barbs laughed
The fool is dead

Poor dunce
He's less than within us
The brains talk
But the will to live is dead
And prayer can't travel so far these days
The talk of your life
Standing so near
To innocent eyes
Poor dunce

Swings through the tunnels
And claws his way
Is small life so manic
Are these really the days

Poor dunce
Poor dunce

Poor soul




Poor soul
Poor soul

Overall Meaning

The song "A Small Plot of Land" by David Bowie is a melancholic reflection on the bleak and nihilistic world we live in. The singer of the song is portrayed as a "poor soul" who is constantly being spit upon by the indifferent and cruel society. The world has hit him hard and he is now dead, unable to fight back against the "pigmen" who are at the top of the social hierarchy. The song is a commentary on how the human spirit is being gradually eroded by the forces of institutionalized oppression and apathy.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of hopelessness and despair that pervades everything. The singer is referred to as a "poor dunce" and his will to live is completely dead. The song suggests that no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you struggle, there is no escaping the inevitable end that awaits us all. Even prayer cannot offer any solace or comfort in this nihilistic landscape.


The song is a haunting reminder of the futility of human existence in a world that has lost its meaning. It is a poignant commentary on the universal struggle of the human condition and how we are all united in our sense of despair and hopelessness.


Line by Line Meaning

Poor soul
A person who suffered or struggled through life, neglected by others around them.


Spit upon that
Treated unfairly or with disdain by others, as if dehumanized and not deserving of respect.


He never knew what hit him
Caught off guard and overcome by unexpected events or circumstances which led to his downfall.


And it hit him so
The impact was significant and severe, causing irreparable damage or loss.


Poor dunce
A person who is foolish or naïve, failing to understand or perceive the true nature of things.


He pushed back the pigmen
He tried to resist or fight against oppressive forces, but failed to make any significant impact or change.


The Barbs laughed
Others who weren't affected by his misfortune found humor in his plight and mocked him.


The fool is dead
The one who was considered foolish or incompetent has suffered a fatal blow or has been defeated.


He's less than within us
He is not considered to be equal to or of the same value as other people, as if he is deficient or inferior somehow.


The brains talk
Intellectuals or educated individuals discuss complex ideas and theories that are beyond the comprehension of most people.


But the will to live is dead
Despite having the ability to think and reason, the desire to continue living or surviving has been lost.


And prayer can't travel so far these days
Even traditional customs or practices that used to offer hope or comfort are unable to provide any solace or relief.


The talk of your life
People discuss or gossip about the events or happenings in one's life, but may not be truly interested or sincere in their concern.


Standing so near
Despite being surrounded by others or having people close by, one may still feel lonely or isolated, as if they are in a different world.


To innocent eyes
Those who are pure or naive may not fully grasp or understand the harsh realities of life, and may be unaware of the pain and suffering experienced by others.


Swings through the tunnels
Moving swiftly or recklessly through life without any clear direction or purpose, as if passing through a maze or labyrinth.


And claws his way
Struggling or fighting desperately to gain a foothold or make progress, as if scratching and digging through obstacles that seem insurmountable.


Is small life so manic
Does existence consist of endless chaos, stress, and desperation, with no respite or chance for peace and fulfillment?


Are these really the days
Is this the best or only way for life to be, or are there other possibilities or better paths to follow?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRIAN PETER GEORGE ENO, DAVID BOWIE, ERDAL KIZILCAY, MIKE GARSON, REEVES GABRELS, STERLING CAMPBELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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