Transit
Fennesz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have listened repeatedly
I have listened very well
No one interrupts the harmful
When they're speaking

To wonder why of Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Swallow the lie of Europe
Our shared history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

A future's hinting at itself
Do you fear what I fear?
All those names of ancestry
Too gentle for the stones they bear

Someone somewhere wants to see you
Someone's traveling towards us all

To wonder why of Europe
To live, love, and cry in Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Our history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

The lights are dimming
The lounge is dark
The best cigarette is saved for last




We drink alone
We drink alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fennesz's song "Transit" involve complex themes and ideas, and there are multiple ways to interpret their meaning. At first glance, the opening lines seem to suggest a criticism of how people tend to ignore or overlook the harmful actions of others. When someone is speaking harmful things, no one interrupts them or challenges them, even when they should. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the lyrics are actually about a larger issue: Europe's history and identity.


The main theme of the song is the concept of Europe and its importance to people's sense of identity and belonging. The lyrics suggest that Europe has become associated with lies and falsehoods that people have been made to swallow. The phrase "our shared history dies with Europe" suggests that Europe has lost its way and is no longer able to serve as a connecting point or a source of pride for many of its citizens. The repeated refrain of "follow me, won't you follow me?" seems to be an appeal for people to rediscover their connection to Europe and to embrace its history and culture.


The lines "all those names of ancestry too gentle for the stones they bear" could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that Europe's past is filled with violence and suffering. The fact that the names of the people who suffered are considered "too gentle" suggests that they have been forgotten or overlooked. The reference to "someone somewhere" traveling towards us all could be interpreted as a warning of some kind, suggesting that there is an unaddressed danger that is coming closer and closer.


Some possible interpretations of the song might include a critique of how Europe has been defined by its violent past, or a plea for Europeans to rediscover their sense of identity and pride in their shared history. Ultimately, however, the song is open to interpretation, and each listener must decide what the lyrics mean to them personally.


Line by Line Meaning

I have listened repeatedly
I have paid close attention, repeatedly


I have listened very well
I have paid close attention and understood thoroughly


No one interrupts the harmful When they're speaking
People in power are often allowed to speak without interruption, even if their actions are harmful


To wonder why of Europe
To question the motives and actions of Europe


Say your goodbyes to Europe
Prepare to part ways with Europe


Swallow the lie of Europe
Believe the false narrative that Europe presents


Our shared history dies with Europe
If we part ways with Europe, we lose the shared history we have with them


A future's hinting at itself
The future is becoming clearer


Do you fear what I fear?
Are you afraid of the same thing I am?


All those names of ancestry Too gentle for the stones they bear
The names of our ancestors are too fragile for the weight of their struggles and hardships


Someone somewhere wants to see you
There is someone who desires to meet you


Someone's traveling towards us all
There is someone who is coming to meet all of us


To live, love, and cry in Europe
To experience the full extent of life, including love and sadness, while in Europe


The lights are dimming
The lights are becoming less bright


The lounge is dark
The lounge is not well-lit


The best cigarette is saved for last
The most enjoyable experience is saved for the end


We drink alone
We choose to drink and be alone


We drink alone
We choose to drink and be alone




Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sothiaco

I have listened repeatedly
I have listened very well
No one interrupts the harmful
When they're speaking

To wonder why of Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Swallow the lie of Europe
Our shared history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

A future's hinting at itself
Do you fear what I fear?
All those names of ancestry
Too gentle for the stones they bear

Someone somewhere wants to see you
Someone's traveling towards us all

To wonder why of Europe
To live, love, and cry in Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Our history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

The lights are dimming
The lounge is dark
The best cigarette is saved for last
We drink alone
We drink alone



All comments from YouTube:

@Abner_Cole

One of the greatest song experiences I have had in many years. Thank you so much

@julesbrownoffthecuffreview3875

Having been a Sylvian fan for many years, I coincidentally happened upon this song one evening as I slumped on the bed having switched on & set the radio alarm for the next morning. I didn't know about Fennesz at this point but when Sylvian started singing it somehow didn't surprise me. An amazing few minutes for me. Those upfront distorted chords struck a chord with me too, as I had done some music, weirdly at a similar time encompassing distorted chords very much like that! Honest to God, it reminded me of what I had tried to achieve on my humble Tascam 4 track cassette around the same time! My effort didn't have all the amazing Fennesz blips & glitches let alone Sylvian's stunning voice though of course!
It was an amazing thing to listen back to as I collapsed on the bed that first time I heard it. And it remains a beautiful & amazing listen today.

@stillstrugglnstillshinin

just discovered this and holy fuck man this song is more then just beautiful, it’s one of those acquired taste you can only get once in a lifetime

@Reprodestruxion

Bluddy Davey’s a prophet

@sothiaco

I have listened repeatedly
I have listened very well
No one interrupts the harmful
When they're speaking

To wonder why of Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Swallow the lie of Europe
Our shared history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

A future's hinting at itself
Do you fear what I fear?
All those names of ancestry
Too gentle for the stones they bear

Someone somewhere wants to see you
Someone's traveling towards us all

To wonder why of Europe
To live, love, and cry in Europe
Say your goodbyes to Europe
Our history dies with Europe

(follow me, won't you follow me?)

The lights are dimming
The lounge is dark
The best cigarette is saved for last
We drink alone
We drink alone

@Orbitinbloom19018

It feels like its breathing

@tahatpa4246

Masterpiece

@MrsFish7

..just like listening to the darling buds of 'Double Negative' by LOW....

@mrhs5220

That sound that starts at 1:11- I need to know how he did that! It's like striking a gong of molten metal held together by electricity!

@willvine4921

Probably a very heavily overdriven bass guitar through a bitcrusher with some slap back echo , maybe ?

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