After fronting several rock bands in his native Idaho, singer/songwriter Justin Ringle moved to Portland, OR in 2004 and began focusing on acoustic music, playing open mics regularly under the moniker Horse Feathers. In 2005, multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick heard a couple of Justin's demos and offered to help flesh them out. In February 2006 the duo went into Skyler Norwood's Miracle Lake studios and recorded their debut album, Words are Dead, which was released that September on Portland label, Lucky Madison. Later that year, Peter's sister Heather Broderick joined the group on cello and by 2007, Horse Feathers began featuring a rotating cast of instrumentalists backing Justin's guitar and vocals.
Justin and the Brodericks returned to Miracle Lake studios in the fall and winter of 2007 and recorded House With No Home, which was released on Kill Rock Stars in the spring of 2008. Around that time, Peter left the country to pursue music in Europe, and Nathan Crockett was enlisted to cover violin duties. Several months later, Heather also left the group to pursue other musical projects and cellist Catherine Odell came on board. The current lineup was rounded out at the beginning of 2009 when Sam Cooper joined as a multi-instrumentalist. As a four piece, the group has been touring extensively and released a new album entitled Thistled Spring on Kill Rock Stars, April 20th, 2010.
Walking & Running
Horse Feathers Lyrics
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Sucking and fucking at your will
You want to bait us
Now entertain us 'til you're through
It'd appear that you must take
Broken bones and hearts, that's your fate
You want to bait us
Walking and running
Sucking and fucking at your will
It'd appear that you must take
Broken bones and heart, that's your fate
I won't laugh
I wanna curse and shout
Get me, get me from your mouth
Haters win, it just all depends
They won't, they won't miss a thing
We have, we have just gone sour
Get me, get me from your mouth
Heaven is white
It's just gone sour
Do what you want
Being just around
The lyrics in "Walking & Running" by Horse Feathers seems to be talking about a person who walks and runs through life, taking from others what they want without regard for their feelings. This person seems to be baiting others for their own entertainment until they're done. The line "broken bones and hearts, that's your fate" suggests that this person will cause damage and destruction to those around them.
The lyrics also express a feeling of being trapped or suffocated by this person's presence. The line "get me, get me from your mouth" suggests a desire to break free from their influence. The singer wants to curse and shout, to express their frustration and anger, but they're not laughing because the situation is not funny.
The final lines of the song suggest a sense of hopelessness or despair. "Heaven is white" may be a reference to purity, but it's gone sour. The singer recognizes that they can do nothing to change the situation, so they resign themselves to simply existing in this person's orbit.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking and running
Moving forward, progressing
Sucking and fucking at your will
Taking what you want without considering others
You want to bait us
You are provoking us
Now entertain us 'til you're through
Now keep us occupied until you are satisfied
It'd appear that you must take
You seem to have a desire to take
Broken bones and hearts, that's your fate
You inevitably cause harm to others in pursuit of what you want
I won't laugh
I will not find amusement in your actions
I wanna curse and shout
I feel angry and frustrated
Get me, get me from your mouth
Remove yourself from my life
Haters win, it just all depends
Negative and toxic people often succeed, but it is not guaranteed
They won't, they won't miss a thing
They will not miss an opportunity to hurt others
We have, we have just gone sour
Our relationship has turned sour
Heaven is white
Paradise is pure and untainted
It's just gone sour
It has turned unpleasant
Do what you want
Act as you please
Being just around
Simply existing in a situation without meaningful participation or enjoyment
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.