Rubies
Destroyer Lyrics

Dueling cyclones jackknife
There are two competing forces at work, colliding head-on, just like two opposing cyclones. It often leads to a destructive and chaotic environment.

They got eyes for your wife and the blood that lives in her heart
People are paying too much attention to someone else's partner and their innermost desires, which is a clear sign of danger.

Cast myself towards infinity
The singer is going all-in on a particular course of action, with no signs of stopping. They are aiming for infinity, hoping to achieve something that seems impossible.

Trust me, I had my reasons
I know what I'm doing, and there are valid reasons behind my actions.

Had a dress for every season, it was worth it
I had a lot of clothes for all kinds of weather, and it was worth the investment.

Pulled into town relatively free of hassle
The singer arrived in town with minimal problems or obstacles.

Secured a room at the castle, it paid for itself
The singer found a room at a castle and felt that it was worth the cost because it was able to pay for itself somehow.

Checked out my surroundings, headed down to Thornton Park
The artist took a moment to survey their surroundings and then headed to a specific destination.

Find your way
Figure out what you want to do and where you want to go, and then take the necessary steps to get there.

Discover that things are dark
It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and things may not always be as bright as we hope.

Shadowy figures babbling on about typical rural shit
People are talking about trivial and mundane things, and their conversation is hard to hear or understand.

I wave bye to them in a modern way
The artist is bidding farewell to the people in a way that is typical of modern times.

And increase my stay at the dock of the bay
The singer is making the decision to stay at the bay for a longer period of time.

Quiet, Ruby, someone's coming
The singer is trying to tell Ruby to be quiet so that they can hear what's happening around them.

Approach with stealth
Be quiet and avoid detection while approaching a certain area or person.

Oh, it's just your precious American underground
The artist has identified the source of the sound as an American underground group that they feel is important or valuable.

And it is born of wealth
The artist is acknowledging that the underground scene they're talking about is funded and created by people who have a lot of money.

With not a writer in the lot
None of the people in this group are writers or able to express themselves through written language.

Sapphires vie for your attention
Something precious and valuable is trying to get your attention or recognition, like a sapphire gemstone.

Cheap dancers they mean well in their way
There are dancers who are not the best quality, but they are trying to do their best and mean well in their own way.

But Priest says
The artist is about to share the words of a person who goes by the name 'Priest.'

"Please, I can't stand my knees
Priest is asking for help because they are hurting or causing discomfort in some way.

And I can't bear her raven tresses
Priest is also struggling with something related to the hair of someone they know. They may be jealous or overwhelmed.

Caught up in the breeze like that"
Priest feels like they are being influenced or caught up in the whims of the situation and cannot control their feelings.

Blessed doctor, do your worst
The singer is referring to a doctor as 'blessed' and saying that they can do anything or everything that they need to do, regardless of how difficult it may be.

Cut me open, remove this thirst
The singer is asking the doctor to cut them open and remove a feeling of thirst, which may be a metaphor for a deeper desire or longing.

Hidden, but near
Something is difficult to see or find, but it is nearby and accessible if you know where to look.

A series of visions, I won't repeat them here
The artist has had a series of visions or insights, but they choose not to share them at this time.

Typical me, typical me
The artist is calling themselves typical or predictable in some way.

I gave my cargo to the sea
The singer is giving something away to the ocean or the world, perhaps as a sign of release or sacrifice.

I gave the water what it always wanted to be
The singer is giving something to the water that makes it more complete or whole in some way.

Look to the west
Turn your attention or focus to the western part of your surroundings.

"Ah, look, it's no contest"
The artist is commenting on something they see in the western part of their surroundings, saying that it's not even a competition or challenge.

Proud Mary said as she lit the fuse
The artist is referencing the song 'Proud Mary' and imagining that the character in the song is lighting a fuse or causing something explosive to happen.

"I wanted you, I wanted your blues"
The singer is replaying a moment from the 'Proud Mary' song where one character says they wanted another person and their 'blues.'

Your blues
The artist is repeating the words 'your blues' and perhaps reflecting on what the phrase means to them personally.

"All good things must come to an end
The singer is quoting a familiar phrase that suggests everything eventually has to come to an end, even good things.

The bad ones just go on forever"
The singer is adding their own take on the familiar phrase, suggesting that bad things seem to last longer than they should and never really end.

Isn't that what I just said?
The singer is pointing out that they've already said something very similar to what someone else just said.

It is now and it is never
The present moment is always happening and will never come again, making it both fleeting and eternal.

Don't worry about her
The artist is telling someone not to be concerned or preoccupied with another person.

She's been known to appreciate the elegance of an empty room
The singer is saying that the other person enjoys the simple beauty of having an empty room or space around them.

Look, I made you this broom
The singer is pointing out that they crafted or created something for someone else, specifically a broom.

A predicate warning to the sun
The artist is issuing a warning to the sun, or perhaps to someone or something like the sun.

"This night advances on"
The artist is making an observation about the progress of the night, saying that it's continuing or moving forward.

The sketchy crowd shows me drawings, they're alright
The artist encounters a group of people making drawings or sketches, and while they seem a bit suspicious or shady, the artwork itself is decent or good.

An alternately dim and frightful waste
The setting or scenery is both dark and unsettling, as well as unappealing or uninteresting.

Now come on honey let's go outside
The artist is encouraging someone to go with them outside or into the world, perhaps to explore or escape the current setting.

You disrupt the world's disorder just by virtue of your grace, you know
The singer is complimenting someone by saying that their mere presence or actions can cause positive change or disruption in a chaotic world.

I didn't want to go, but leave I must
The singer would prefer to stay in the current setting, but there is a reason or necessity compelling them to leave.

As gratifying as this dust was
The singer may be reflecting on their time spent in the current setting, saying that it was enjoyable or satisfying but must come to an end.

Please don't wake me from this, my golden slumber
The artist is asking someone not to disturb them from a peaceful or satisfying sleep, which they describe as 'golden'.

I am proud to be a part of this number
The artist is saying that they are honored or happy to be included among a certain group or gathering of people.