Achilles Come Down
Gang of Youths Lyrics

Achilles
The singer is calling out to Achilles.

Achilles come down, won't you
The singer is asking Achilles to come down from the roof. He is concerned for his safety and the safety of others.

Get up off
The singer is urging Achilles to stand up from his position on the roof.

You're scaring us
The artist is expressing fear for Achilles and those around him.

And all of us
The artist is indicating that everyone is afraid.

Some of us love you
The singer is expressing affection for Achilles and wants him to know that people care for him.

Achilles, it's not much but there's proof
The singer acknowledges that the proof of love might not be much, but it exists.

You crazy assed cosmonaut
The artist is calling Achilles a crazy astronaut and implying that he is out of touch with reality.

Remember your virtue
The artist is reminding Achilles to remember the values he once held.

Redemption lies plainly in truth
The artist is suggesting that telling the truth can help Achilles find redemption.

Just humour us
The singer is asking Achilles to comply with their request to come down off the roof.

The self is not so weightless
The artist is saying that the self carries a heavy burden.

Nor whole and unbroken
The singer is suggesting that no one is perfect and everyone has their flaws.

Remember the pact of our youth
The singer is asking Achilles to remember a promise they made when they were younger.

Where you go, I'm going
The singer is telling Achilles that they will follow him wherever he goes.

So jump and I'm jumping
The artist is ready to jump off the roof with Achilles if he does so.

Since there is no me without you
The artist is stating that they are incomplete without Achilles.

Soldier on
The singer is urging Achilles to be brave and move forward.

Loathe the way they light candles in Rome
The singer is expressing distaste for certain traditions or customs.

But love the sweet air of the votives
The artist is acknowledging the beauty in certain customs or traditions.

Hurt and grieve but don't suffer alone
The artist is suggesting that Achilles should not go through his struggles alone.

Engage with the pain as a motive
The artist is suggesting that Achilles can use his pain as motivation.

Today of all days
The singer is emphasizing the importance of this moment.

See
The artist is urging Achilles to take notice of something important.

How the most dangerous thing is to love
The singer believes that love can be dangerous, as it can lead to heartbreak.

How you will heal and you'll rise above
The singer believes that Achilles can heal and overcome his struggles.

Just put down the bottle
The singer is urging Achilles to stop drinking alcohol.

Don't listen to what you've consumed
The artist is suggesting that Achilles should not let alcohol control his actions or thoughts.

It's chaos, confusion
The artist is describing the state of mind that can result from excessive drinking.

And wholly unworthy
The singer does not believe that the state of mind resulting from excessive drinking is worthy of attention.

Of feeding and it's wholly untrue
The singer is suggesting that excessive drinking can lead to untruthfulness and the spreading of false ideas.

You may feel no purpose
The artist acknowledges that Achilles may feel lost or without a sense of purpose.

Nor a point for existing
The artist is acknowledging that Achilles may not see a reason for his existence.

It's all just conjecture and gloom
The artist is saying that these feelings of despair are based on speculation and negativity.

And there may not be meaning
The singer is acknowledging that life may not have inherent meaning or purpose.

So find one and seize it
The artist is encouraging Achilles to find purpose in life and take control of his situation.

Do not waste your self on this roof
The singer is urging Achilles not to stay stuck in his current state of despair.

Hear those bells ring deep in the soul
The singer is acknowledging the power of the bells ringing, which may represent a call to action or change.

Chiming away for a moment
The singer is saying that the bells will only ring for a short time in comparison to the rest of one's life.

Feel your breath course frankly below
The artist is encouraging Achilles to take deep breaths and feel his body functioning properly.

See life as a worthy opponent
The artist is suggesting that Achilles should view life as a challenge that he can overcome.

Throw yourself into the unknown
The singer is encouraging Achilles to take risks and embrace uncertainty.

With pace and a fury defiant
The singer is suggesting that Achilles should be bold and unyielding in his approach to life.

Clothe yourself in beauty untold
The artist is suggesting that Achilles find beauty in life and surround himself with it.

And see life as a means to a triumph
The artist is saying that Achilles can find triumph in life if he views it as a means to an end.

Crowned by an overture bold and beyond
The artist is suggesting that Achilles can achieve something great and beyond what he currently sees as possible.

Ah, it's more courageous to overcome
The singer is saying that it takes more courage to overcome one's struggles and the challenges of life than to give up.

You want the acclaim
The artist is suggesting that Achilles seeks recognition or praise from others.

The mother of mothers
The singer is using hyperbole to suggest that recognition or praise is the most important thing to Achilles.

It's not worth it Achilles
The singer is saying that seeking recognition is not worth the potential negative consequences.

More poignant than fame
The singer is acknowledging that the desire for recognition or praise can be more powerful than the desire for fame.

Or the taste of another
The artist is alluding to sexual desire or relationships, which Achilles may be using as a distraction from his problems.

But be real and just jump
The artist is urging Achilles to be honest with himself and take action.

You dense motherfucker
The singer is calling Achilles a name to express frustration or impatience.

You will not be more than a rat in the gutter
The singer is suggesting that if Achilles continues on his current path, he will not achieve anything great or meaningful.

You want my opinion
The artist is acknowledging that Achilles may not want to hear their opinion.

No one asked your opinion
The artist is saying that they are offering their opinion despite not being asked for it.

My opinion you've got
The artist is stating that Achilles now has their opinion.

You asked for my counsel
The singer is saying that Achilles has sought their advice.

Be done with this now
The artist is urging Achilles to move on from his current situation.

And jump off the roof
The singer is restating their request for Achilles to come down off the roof.

Can you hear me Achilles?
The singer is questioning whether Achilles is listening to them.

I'm talking to you
The singer is emphasizing that they are speaking directly to Achilles.