Lazarus
David Byrne St. Vincent Lyrics
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Working your backbone, swinging your shovel
Hey, Hey Lazarus
Gold in your river, there forever
One of these days I'm gonna bring the hammer down (cool water)
I'm working hard, but my heart is wearing out (cool water)
Working your backbone, swinging that axe home
Hey, Hey Lazarus
Gold in your river, there forever
The captain's bell, it swings from side to side (cool water)
High on this hill, I'm working all the time (cool water)
(Grunting)
My hammer comes down hard on everyone (cool water)
I bring it down until my work is down (cool water)
Hey, hey Lazarus
Water won't do, too deep was the stain
Paleolithic hunters sang this song (cool water)
To give them strength to work the whole day long (cool water)
I am the tramp slummed in your doorway
I didn't come to set you free
One of these days when all my work is done (cool water)
I'm gonna rest in the lap of Abraham (cool water)
You will not see my face come morning
I didn't come to set you free
The lyrics of St. Vincent's song "Lazarus" can be interpreted in a few different ways, but one possible meaning is that it is about the struggle of labor and the longing for rest and salvation. The repeating line "Hey, Hey Lazarus" seems to be addressing the biblical character Lazarus, who was resurrected from the dead by Jesus. In the song, Lazarus is portrayed as a laborer, working hard and swinging his shovel or axe to find gold in the river. The chorus of the song speaks of a stain that is too deep for water to wash away, which may refer to a sin or burden that cannot be lifted by earthly means.
The verses of the song describe the difficulty of labor, with references to a captain's bell swinging and the singer's own hammer coming down hard on everyone. The lines "I am the tramp slummed in your doorway / I didn't come to set you free" suggest a sense of resignation or hopelessness. The final verse of the song brings in a reference to the lap of Abraham, which is a biblical metaphor for rest and comfort in the afterlife.
Overall, "Lazarus" seems to be a reflection on the struggle of life and work, with a longing for rest and release from burdens. The repetition of the name Lazarus and the references to water and gold give the song a slightly mystical or biblical feel.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Hey Lazarus
Addressing the mythical figure of Lazarus, highlighting his relentless and tiring work ethic.
Working your backbone, swinging your shovel
Lazarus works tirelessly, putting all his strength into the task at hand.
Gold in your river, there forever
The rewards of Lazarus' hard work are eternal and abundant.
One of these days I'm gonna bring the hammer down (cool water)
Eventually, justice will be served and wrongs will be made right.
I'm working hard, but my heart is wearing out (cool water)
The artist is burning out from their own hard work and dedication to a cause.
Working your backbone, swinging that axe home
Lazarus continues to put all his energy into his laborious work.
The captain's bell, it swings from side to side (cool water)
The passage of time is marked by the sound of the captain's bell aboard a ship.
High on this hill, I'm working all the time (cool water)
The artist is constantly hard at work on the hill, never taking a break.
(Grunting)
Lazarus is working so hard he can't even spare a breath to speak a full sentence.
My hammer comes down hard on everyone (cool water)
The artist is forceful and unrelenting in their approach to their work.
I bring it down until my work is done (cool water)
The singer will not stop until the task at hand is completed satisfactorily.
Water won't do, too deep was the stain
The stain that must be removed is so deep that water alone is insufficient to wash it away.
Paleolithic hunters sang this song (cool water)
This song is ancient and has been passed down through the generations.
To give them strength to work the whole day long (cool water)
The purpose of the song was to motivate and energize the weary hunters to continue working through tough times.
I am the tramp slummed in your doorway
The singer is a homeless person begging for help from Lazarus.
I didn't come to set you free
The artist has no intention of providing charity or assisting Lazarus in any way.
One of these days when all my work is done (cool water)
Once the work is completed, the artist can rest and find peace.
I'm gonna rest in the lap of Abraham (cool water)
The singer looks forward to eternal rest and peace in the afterlife.
You will not see my face come morning
The singer intends to leave before morning, without any further interaction or help to Lazarus.
I didn't come to set you free
The artist's intentions toward Lazarus have not changed; they still have no desire to provide assistance or freedom to him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANNIE CLARK, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind