The Lobster Quadrille
Franz Ferdinand/Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said a whiting to a snail,
"There's a porpoise close behind us,
And he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters
And the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle -
Will you come and join the dance?
Won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you,
Won't you, won't you join the dance?
"You can really have notion
How delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us,
With the lobsters, out to sea!"
But the snail replied, "Too far, too far!"
And gave a look askance
Said he thanked the whiting kindly,
But he would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not,
Could not, would not join the dance.
Would not, could not, would not,
Could not, could not join the dance.
"What matters it how far we go?"
His scaly friend replied,
"There is another shore, you know,
Upon the other side.
The further off from England
The nearer is to France -
Then turn not pale, beloved snail,
But come and join the dance.
Will you, won't you, will you,
Won't you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you,
Won't you, won't you join the dance?
Franz Ferdinand’s song The Lobster Quadrille tells a whimsical story about a conversation between a whiting and a snail. The whiting tries to coax the snail to join in a dance with the lobsters and turtles that were eagerly waiting nearby. The whiting warns the snail that a porpoise was closing in and treading on his tail. Meanwhile, the lobsters and turtles were ready to start the dance. However, the snail refuses to join, saying that it was too far and that he won’t dance. The whiting tells the snail that there is another shore on the other side of the sea, and the further they are from England, the closer they get to France. He urges the snail to come and join the dance.
Many interpretations can be drawn from the lyrics, but one can connect it to Lewis Carroll's works, specifically his book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland which includes a scene about the Lobster Quadrille, where the musicians are playing the tune and the lobsters and characters are dancing. This scene could reflect the whimsical nature of Franz Ferdinand’s song. Also, the lyrics can be interpreted as a representation of the snail's fear of change or reluctance to step out of its comfort zone.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you walk a little faster?
The whiting urgently requests the snail to move faster as there's danger lurking behind them.
There's a porpoise close behind us, And he's treading on my tail.
The whiting informs the snail of the porpoise behind them that's stepping on the whiting's tail, thereby risking a potential harm.
See how eagerly the lobsters And the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle - Will you come and join the dance?
The whiting encourages the snail to join the other sea creatures who are eagerly waiting to dance on the shingle.
You can really have notion How delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, With the lobsters, out to sea!
The whiting convinces the snail to join the dance with the lobsters and when the fishes pick them up, it will be a thrilling experience.
But the snail replied, 'Too far, too far!' And gave a look askance Said he thanked the whiting kindly, But he would not join the dance.
The snail refuses to participate, reasoning the location of the dance is too far and he won't enjoy the experience.
What matters it how far we go?' His scaly friend replied, 'There is another shore, you know, Upon the other side. The further off from England The nearer is to France - Then turn not pale, beloved snail, But come and join the dance.
The whiting motivates the snail to overcome his fear by reminding him that the farther they move away from England, the closer they are to France, implying that they'll reach a far-off shore soon and urges the snail to join the dance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER PAUL KAPRANOS HUNTLEY, NICHOLAS JOHN MCCARTHY, PAUL ROBERT THOMPSON, ROBERT HARDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
juststuckinabubble
one of my favourite bands sing a song from my favourite books. and it sounds bloody brilliant! xD
Mitsuko Suki
Franz Ferdinand still surprise me!! This is so amazing!!
KitsuneHime69
No the lobster quadrille was a poem found in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The lyrics are taken word for word from the poem.
20kat06tha
It's a poem it's in the book, lyrics are word for word the poem. I love it!
MyownkindofthingINC
this is such an awesome and creepy song! i love it! haha
Anahí Nuñez Acosta
My favorite song from the soundtrack. Pure geniality.
tehtailija
i love franz ferdinand and i love alice in wonderland, and wasn't sure two minutes ago how they would fit together. now i am sure, they fit together perfectly. this song is amazing, alex's voice and the whole song is just like the mood in the movie. unbelievable. went to watch it friday which was the premiere here, and now i'm going on wednesday again. dunno why i told you that, guess i've gone a little, how would i say it.. like a hatter, perhaps.
Phantom Prim
with ever song of theirs I listen to I feel like my soul is opened a bit deeper into a mysterious darkness
GayGeisha
Best song on that album - and lifted directly from the novel. I'm becoming dangerously obsessed with this song...
spunkangel89
this song sounds all creepy and fantastic... it's creeptastic!! i love it when his voice goes really low. i love bass. :)