McMorrow's second album, Post-Tropical, was released in January 2014. It was noted for its distinct shift in style from the nu-folk of his first album, leaning more towards electronica and ambient sounds. Two singles were released from the album - "Cavalier" and "Red Dust." The album reached the top 30 in the UK and the Netherlands; as well as peaking at number 2 on the Irish album charts.
Repeating
James Vincent McMorrow Lyrics
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Hand in the hallway, here was the soul after soul
Then in a waste end way they call them home
Take it through the footstep in the hearing call
Then no one from the roll up call you
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true
When the lay in the horse and the clear dawn
We defer til we float to the sea fall
And I stare at the room in the send off
To repeat every word as it seems, oh
Then no one from the roll up call you
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true
The lyrics of James Vincent McMorrow's song "Repeating" may seem abstract and difficult to decipher at first, but upon further analysis, one can uncover powerful themes of isolation, disconnection, and the inability to forge meaningful relationships. The opening lines, "Soon as the storm hit, struck on the hull / Hand in the hallway, here was the soul after soul," set the tone for the rest of the song, as they describe the onslaught of life's pressures and the constant struggle to keep afloat. McMorrow's use of the nautical metaphor of "struck on the hull" is particularly evocative, as it conjures images of a ship struggling to navigate through choppy waters.
The subsequent lines, "Then in a waste end way they call them home / Take it through the footstep in the hearing call," suggest a sense of resignation and defeatism. The idea of being called "home" to a dead-end existence and blindly following footsteps leads to further feelings of detachment and emptiness. The repeated refrain of "Still awake in the heart's, they're not true" exemplifies the sense of disconnect between the heart and the mind, as if the singer is unable to truly connect with anyone or anything.
As the song progresses, McMorrow continues to explore these themes of disconnection and isolation through his lyrics. The lines "We defer til we float to the sea fall / And I stare at the room in the send off / To repeat every word as it seems" allude to the idea of simply going through the motions of life and not really living it fully. The image of staring at a room during a send-off suggests a loss or leaving behind of something important, whether it be a person or a part of oneself.
Overall, "Repeating" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the complexities and nuances of human emotion. Through his poignant and poetic lyrics, James Vincent McMorrow invites the listener to reflect on their own struggles with disconnection and the search for meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Soon as the storm hit, struck on the hull
As soon as the storm began, it hit the boat's hull with force.
Hand in the hallway, here was the soul after soul
In the hallway, people were gathered one after another, waiting eagerly.
Then in a waste end way they call them home
They were taken to a dead-end place that they called home.
Take it through the footstep in the hearing call
Follow the sound of footsteps and the voices you hear.
Then no one from the roll up call you
They didn't call your name during roll call.
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew
I can see you but you seem distant, and I hardly recognize you anymore.
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true
Despite my heart still being awake and feeling, they are not truthful or genuine.
When the lay in the horse and the clear dawn
As the sun rose and the morning became clear.
We defer til we float to the sea fall
We delay things until we eventually succumb to the struggles of life.
And I stare at the room in the send off
I look around the room during the farewell or departure.
To repeat every word as it seems, oh
To remember and repeat every word as they were said, as they were perceived.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: JAMES MCMORROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cliapatra
"Repeating"
Soon as the storm hit, struck on the hull.
Hand in the hallway, here was the soul after soul.
Then in a waste end way they call them home.
Take it through the footstep in the hearing call.
Then no one from the roll up call you.
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew.
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true.
When the lay in the horse and the clear dawn.
We defer til we float to the sea fall.
And I stare at the room in the send off.
To repeat every word as it seems, oh.
Then no one from the roll up call you.
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew.
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true.
M R.
Gorgeous! If I had a movie made of my life, I would use this song to tie up the ending scene and just flow it to the ending credit... oh what a dream I am in when I'm listening to this song :)
Cliapatra
"Repeating"
Soon as the storm hit, struck on the hull.
Hand in the hallway, here was the soul after soul.
Then in a waste end way they call them home.
Take it through the footstep in the hearing call.
Then no one from the roll up call you.
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew.
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true.
When the lay in the horse and the clear dawn.
We defer til we float to the sea fall.
And I stare at the room in the send off.
To repeat every word as it seems, oh.
Then no one from the roll up call you.
Where you are, arms length, tumble light it goes, I hardly knew.
Still awake in the heart's, they're not true.
wh0lenewmess
This song is too gorgeous! Pretty much, the whole album pretty much a loss for words. JVM you've done it again!
Carla Louise
Gotta be my walk down the aisle song!
Oliver Hernandez
So, so beautiful.
elian barnes
When I find the one. This song will be playing.
Gabe Alcantar
Sooo getting this album
elian barnes
When I find the one. This song will be playing.
TSK
💙😭❤
Alex Bps
Just wahou..