A touring sideman, occasio… Read Full Bio ↴American drummer, percussionist and composer.
A touring sideman, occasional bandmember, and session musician, including regular collaborations with Sufjan Stevens.
Neptune
James McAlister Lyrics
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Don't you hold me too lightly
To words as I've rounded them off
To the nearest of ten
For I gathered your body
In envious capture
In envious thought
Oh forgive me, oh gods
Or forgive me in fortune
Forgive me in feeling it out for myself
As I ought to have feelings for something
As great as thou art
Some great white rose
Of youth, your pleasure
Gives of my own heart
Generous portions, wisely
Breaks of my own heart
I felt the arm's length
While I've gone on my own way
Conserve me, strange waters
Come and obey me, strange waters
Have it your own way
So if you won't hold me
I have no objections
So if you won't please me
I make no commands
So if you don't trust me
It's best if I drown
The song "Neptune" by James McAlister is a haunting piece full of introspective lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation. At its heart, the song is a lament about the internal struggles of a relationship, where the singer is grappling with the idea of what’s right and what’s wrong, how to measure trust, and how to deal with questions regarding faithfulness. The opening lyrics establish the need for the singer to be held tightly and with care, emphasizing that words and emotions must be taken seriously and not rounded off as if they are insignificant. The following lines seem to speak to the idea of envy and possession, with gravity pulling the singer towards the other person, demanding their body, as if by force or obligation.
The chorus takes on a spiritual tone, with the singer seeking forgiveness for his feelings, displaying an awe of the other person's great personality and characteristics. The following lyrics emphasize McClister's sense of self-loathing and uselessness in the face of such greatness. The last verse starts with a metaphor of a rose to convey the sense of giving, optimism and abundance, then shifts to the singer's internal turmoil and their difficult relationship with their loved one. The last line is a heartbreaking admission of defeat, as the singer realizes that he cannot be trusted and would rather "drown" instead of suffering through the pain of mistrust and abandonment.
Overall, "Neptune" is a song that captures the complexities of human relationships, both internal and external, and the struggles that come with them. It is a meditation on the importance of trust, communication, and self-awareness, and the consequences of neglecting them.
Line by Line Meaning
What's right and what's wrong?
Asking whether he's doing the right thing or not.
Don't you hold me too lightly
Asking someone to take him seriously and not treat him lightly.
To words as I've rounded them off
Asking someone not to judge him based on the words he's said because they might not be the exact truth.
To the nearest of ten
Asking someone not to judge him based on approximation, but consider the bigger picture.
For I gathered your body
He took someone's body without permission.
In envious capture
He captured someone's body because he envied them.
In envious thought
He captured someone's body because he was envious of them.
Oh forgive me, oh gods
Asking for forgiveness from a higher power.
Or forgive me in fortune
Asking for forgiveness from luck or fate.
Forgive me in feeling it out for myself
Asking for forgiveness for following his own instincts and judgment.
As I ought to have feelings for something
He recognizes that he should have stronger feelings for the person he captured.
As great as thou art
The person he captured is great and deserves more respect.
Some great white rose
A symbol of something beautiful and pure.
Of youth, your pleasure
He's giving his heart to someone young and full of life's pleasures.
Gives of my own heart
Giving someone his heart.
Generous portions, wisely
He's giving parts of his heart but being careful not to give too much.
Breaks of my own heart
His heart breaks as he gives parts of it away.
I felt the arm's length
He's felt rejected by the person he captured.
While I've gone on my own way
He's continued on his own path despite any objections.
Conserve me, strange waters
He's asking the waters to preserve him and keep him safe.
Come and obey me, strange waters
He's calling on the waters to come to him and do his bidding.
Have it your own way
He's asking the waters to do what they will with him, as he's not in control.
So if you won't hold me
If no one will hold him or be with him.
I have no objections
He doesn't mind not having anyone with him.
So if you won't please me
If no one will make him happy.
I make no commands
He won't force anyone to make him happy.
So if you don't trust me
If no one will trust him.
It's best if I drown
He'd rather die than not be trusted or loved.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRYCE DAVID DESSNER, JAMES VAN MCALISTER, NICO MUHLY, SUFJAN STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lt.852
Neptune (Lyrics)
What's right and what's wrong?
Don't you hold me too lightly
To words as I've rounded them off
To the nearest of ten
For I gathered your body
In envious capture
In envious thought
Oh forgive me, oh gods
Or forgive me in fortune
Forgive me in feeling it out for myself
As I ought to have feelings for something
As great as thou art
Some great white rose
Of youth, your pleasure
Gives of my own heart
Generous portions, wisely
Breaks of my own heart
I felt the arm's length
While I've gone on my own way
Conserve me, strange waters
Come and obey me, strange waters
Have it your own way
So if you won't hold me
I have no objections
So if you won't please me
I make no commands
So if you don't trust me
It's best if I drown
@gabrielledennis549
What's right and what's wrong?
Don't you hold me too lightly
To words as I've rounded them off
To the nearest of ten
For I gathered your body
In envious capture
In envious thought
Oh forgive me, oh gods
Or forgive me in fortune
Forgive me in feeling it out for myself
As I ought to have feelings for something
As great as thou art
Some great white rose
Of youth, your pleasure
Gives of my own heart
Generous portions, wisely
Breaks of my own heart
I felt the arm's length
While I've gone on my own way
Conserve me, strange waters
Come and obey me, strange waters
Have it your own way
So if you won't hold me
I have no objections
So if you won't please me
I make no commands
So if you don't trust me
It's best if I drown
@eddjoey
remember when Sufjan, Nico, Bryce and James invented the solar system? good times, indeed
@FleeebCrabinProductions
I’d give ANYTHING to be able to write and compose a song like this
@fsands69
You found this so you can. Influences are a real thing
@lankyalpaca
and to sing like this too
@vincentlawrencer
Right? That same thought has been in my head for a couple of years now all because of this song. There’s no predictability to it yet it hits so emotionally and powerfully.
@ATACTA
indeed
@Matt-np5cp
unreal vocals. damn, suf.
@Lt.852
Neptune (Lyrics)
What's right and what's wrong?
Don't you hold me too lightly
To words as I've rounded them off
To the nearest of ten
For I gathered your body
In envious capture
In envious thought
Oh forgive me, oh gods
Or forgive me in fortune
Forgive me in feeling it out for myself
As I ought to have feelings for something
As great as thou art
Some great white rose
Of youth, your pleasure
Gives of my own heart
Generous portions, wisely
Breaks of my own heart
I felt the arm's length
While I've gone on my own way
Conserve me, strange waters
Come and obey me, strange waters
Have it your own way
So if you won't hold me
I have no objections
So if you won't please me
I make no commands
So if you don't trust me
It's best if I drown
@SophieInSeattle
At the end of the song, starting at 2:40, I feel like it perfectly evokes the imagery of large swells of waves crashing over the listener; my favorite part of the piece.
@SubparPanda
This is my favorite song on the album, so beautiful