Ballerina's Reprise
Emile Haynie Lyrics
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What a charming coincidence,
That I go out,
And you still
Go out.
I wrote a song where we act like adults.
Oh well
It's never changed;
Let′s keep on keeping on.
Baby dont ever change.
(I'm tired, as long as it's the same...)
It takes some fucking guts to stay the same,
(...I cannot stay with you.)
You′ve seen mine,
So pull the knife.
You′ve got your proof,
(I can not stay with you)
I'm doing fine.
(I skip too fast away.)
This was fun.
I′m gonna go and get sewn up.
(I do not fall.)
Get sewn up and keep on moving on.
I cannot stay with you.
I cannot stay with you.
I run too fast away.
I run too fast away.
(Keep on moving on.)
I do not fall
I do not fall
I dance too fast away
I do not fall.
I do not fall.
The lyrics to Emile Haynie's song Ballerina's Reprise are open-ended and filled with ambiguity. The song revolves around the theme of change and the fear of it. The first lines, "Well, I'm pretty gone, what a charming coincidence," implies that the narrator is in a state of inebriation, which is the reason behind the coincidence of them and their partner going out at the same time. The lyrics, "I wrote a song where we act like adults," implies that the narrator is trying to be mature in the current situation but cannot help but feel that nothing has changed even though they are grown-ups. It is also possible that the narrator is trying to create a facade of stability when everything around them is changing.
The lines, "It takes some fucking guts to stay the same," express the underlying fear of change and the courage it takes to stay the same. The lyrics, "You've seen mine, so pull the knife," implies that the partner has seen the narrator's vulnerability, and the only way to cut ties is by ending it completely. The repetition of "I cannot stay with you" and "I run too fast away" reinforces the idea that the narrator is not ready for change, and the fear of it is too overwhelming. The line, "I dance too fast away, I do not fall," is an assertion that the narrator may leave, but they won't fall down, and they are strong enough to keep moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I′m pretty gone.
I am quite drunk or under the influence of substances.
What a charming coincidence,
It's interesting that despite being together, we still lead our separate lives.
That I go out,
Despite being affected, I am going out to enjoy myself.
And you still
You, too, are going out to enjoy yourself.
Go out.
Both of us are going out to have a good time regardless of our feelings for each other.
I wrote a song where we act like adults.
I wrote a song that depicts a mature relationship between us.
Oh well It's never changed;
Regardless of the situation, we remain the same.
Let′s keep on keeping on.
Let's continue living our lives without making any significant changes.
Baby dont ever change.
Please do not change your behavior, emotions or character.
(I'm tired, as long as it's the same...)
I am fatigued with the current situation, but I would rather maintain the status quo than make new changes.
It takes some fucking guts to stay the same,
It requires courage to maintain the same habits, behaviors, or beliefs.
(...I cannot stay with you.)
Despite our emotions for each other, we cannot continue being together.
You′ve seen mine,
You have access to my true and vulnerable self.
So pull the knife.
Use that knowledge to hurt me if you feel like it.
You′ve got your proof,
You have evidence and confirmation of my weaknesses.
(I can not stay with you)
I cannot continue being with you despite our feelings.
I'm doing fine.
I am okay despite everything.
(I skip too fast away.)
I move on from hurtful situations too quickly.
This was fun.
Our time together was enjoyable.
I′m gonna go and get sewn up.
I am going to fix my emotional wounds.
Get sewn up and keep on moving on.
I am going to heal and continue with my life.
I cannot stay with you.
Despite our feelings, we cannot continue being together.
I run too fast away.
I move on from hurtful situations too quickly.
Keep on moving on.
Keep on with our lives and move on from each other.
I do not fall
I do not stay down after a knockdown; I keep going.
I dance too fast away
I move on from hurtful situations too quickly.
I do not fall.
I do not stay down after a knockdown; I keep going.
Writer(s): Joshua Tillman, Emile Haynie, Julia Holter
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
