Alaska
Dr. Dog Lyrics


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Well how're the mountains off the harbor?
And how far are you from shore?
And when your ship,
Oh when your ship comes into port
Would you call?
Oh would you call?

In that cabin in Montana
Was that donkey getting drunk?
Well it's been hell back here in Philadelphia, yeah
And York ain't what it was

Now you know grandpa's washing dishes
He does it when he can
Trying to get this fire started
And I could really use a hand

The dog is barking out back
He thinks he's in the band
Trying to get this fire started
And I could really use a hand

You know I dreamt where
We're at the station
And you asked me if you could go
You know I never really had the chance
To say no

Well it's night time in Alaska
I hear it's dark until the spring
Well it's been hell back here in Philadelphia, yeah
And York ain't what it was

Now you know grandpa's washing dishes
He does it when he can
Trying to get this fire started
And I could really use a hand

The dog is barking out back
He thinks he's in the band
Trying to get this fire started
And I could really use a hand

Well I dreamt where
We're at the station
And you asked me if you could go
You know I never really had the chance




Oh no
To say

Overall Meaning

no


The lyrics of Dr. Dog's "Alaska" appear to convey the feelings of separation and distance between two people or a group of people, both physically and emotionally. The song seems to start with questions about the scenery and location of the person being addressed. The questions seem to convey a sense of longing and distance while also trying to understand where the person who is far away is located. They may be trying to bridge the space between them by asking questions they'd like to know the answer to.


The song then shifts to the singer's location, Philadelphia, and how it isn't the same as it used to be, and perhaps the hard times being faced there. The lyrics then describe a cabin in Montana where a "donkey getting drunk," possibly alluding to a feeling of chaos or unruliness.


The singer then shifts again to ask for help in starting a fire, with the dog's barking adding to the chaos of the situation. The final verses seem to involve a dream that the singer had where the person being addressed asked for permission to leave, but they never had the chance to say no. This stanza may refer to personal relationships where someone left the singer without their say or approval.


Line by Line Meaning

Well how're the mountains off the harbor?
Asking about the view and location of the mountains near the harbor


And how far are you from shore?
Inquiring about the distance from the shore


And when your ship, Oh when your ship comes into port Would you call? Oh would you call?
Asking if the person will contact the singer upon their arrival


In that cabin in Montana Was that donkey getting drunk?
Questioning whether a donkey was really getting intoxicated in a cabin in Montana


Well it's been hell back here in Philadelphia, yeah And York ain't what it was
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation in Philadelphia and how York has changed


Now you know grandpa's washing dishes He does it when he can Trying to get this fire started And I could really use a hand
Informing the listener about the singer's grandfather washing dishes and asking for assistance with starting a fire


The dog is barking out back He thinks he's in the band Trying to get this fire started And I could really use a hand
Noticing the dog barking and jokingly suggesting that it thinks it's part of the band, while still asking for help with the fire


You know I dreamt where We're at the station And you asked me if you could go You know I never really had the chance To say no
Recounting a dream where the person was asked for permission to leave, but was unable to deny the request


Well it's night time in Alaska I hear it's dark until the spring Well it's been hell back here in Philadelphia, yeah And York ain't what it was
Remarketing on the darkness of Alaska and expressing the same discontentment with Philadelphia and the state of York


Now you know grandpa's washing dishes He does it when he can Trying to get this fire started And I could really use a hand
Repeatedly requesting for help with starting the fire, while mentioning the grandfather washing dishes again


The dog is barking out back He thinks he's in the band Trying to get this fire started And I could really use a hand
Repeating the same comical observation about the dog and clarifying that the help is still needed for the fire


Well I dreamt where We're at the station And you asked me if you could go You know I never really had the chance Oh no To say
Repeating the dream scenario with a regretful tone, as the artist realizes that they missed their opportunity to say no




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SCOTT MCMICKEN, TOBY LEAMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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