Jarboe (full name: Jarboe La Salle Devereaux – also known as The Living Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Jarboe (full name: Jarboe La Salle Devereaux – also known as The Living Jarboe) is an American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist from New Orleans active since 1984. She came to prominence in the mid-1980s as a member of New York City based group Swans. With founder Michael Gira, the duo was the core of the group until its disbandment in 1998.

She continues to release numerous solo albums and collaborations and has composed the soundtrack for a horror game entitled The Path.

Coming to rock and experimental music from a complex, fascinating background (both her parents were FBI agents; her upbringing in the South included such elements of extreme American religious faith as snake-handling ceremonies; and before her direct involvement in music she participated in "unorthodox sex work," to use her own words, in various U.S. cities), Jarboe, who has always preferred to be known by her sole name, has long been known as one of the fiercest spirits in modern music. She is an intelligent and aggressive artist possessed of striking musical skill who has rejected the music industry's all-too-easy stereotyping and exploitation to create shockingly powerful visions. Helping strongly in this is her one-of-a-kind vocal talent, ranging from emotive blues/gospel tones to wild shrieking, matching excellently with her wide-ranging preference in musical styles. Joining the band Swans two years after it came into being, Jarboe soon became the co-leader of the band with founder Michael Gira; together the pair released some of the most striking, musically extreme recordings of recent years, both as Swans and as the side project band Skin. Jarboe's solo career began in earnest in 1992 with the release of Thirteen Masks, followed a couple of years later by a collaborative effort released under the name Beautiful People with Larry Seven, who also worked on Thirteen Masks and various Swans tracks before that time. The next official release was 1995's Sacrificial Cake, described as a "Swans Related Product," and released in concert with Gira's own solo debut, Drainland. After this, Swans took precedence as she and Gira finished the group's farewell albums and tours; her first post-Swans release, Anhedoniac, appeared in 1998. Shortly thereafter she made a trip to Israel for artistic inspiration for a planned follow-up, Disburdeen Disciple. However, she contracted an illness while visiting there, leading to hospitalization on return to America. A sampler for Disciple has appeared as a teaser, but the main album itself was not completed or ready for release. A collaboration with Telecognac, titled Over, appeared in 2000.

http://www.thelivingjarboe.com

Transmogrification
Jarboe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the interim of temporary defeat...
I am not in flame mode
Building
Muscle.

I will destroy what tries to damage me Again...

Fearless.

You
Know how I live by a third of my Full force and Will.
In order to not threaten
Mere mortals...

Don't worry.
I am of beast nature after all
And I have let
It out of its cage.

Even death means Nothing.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jarboe's Transmogrification delve into themes of empowerment and self-preservation after experiencing setbacks. The first line, "In the interim of temporary defeat," suggests a moment of pause after experiencing failure, a period of reflection before continuing with the fight. The singer declares that they are not in "flame mode," perhaps indicating that they are no longer consumed by the intense emotions of anger or frustration.

Instead, they focus on building muscle, both literally and metaphorically. Physically, muscle-building represents a strengthening of the body and its ability to fight off potential threats. Metaphorically, it may refer to mental or emotional strength, the ability to stand firm in the face of adversity. The next line asserts that the singer will destroy anything that tries to damage them again, empowered by the knowledge that they have the strength to protect themselves.

The singer does not hold back or tone down their power for the sake of others. They admit to living at only a third of their full force and will, in order to not "threaten mere mortals." However, the reassurance "don't worry" suggests that the singer is no longer concerned with making others comfortable. They declare themselves to be of "beast nature" and let that part of themselves out of its cage. The final line, "Even death means nothing," drives home the point that the singer is in a state of fearlessness, empowered to take on anything that comes their way.

Line by Line Meaning

In the interim of temporary defeat...
During times of setback and failure, I remain patient and focused.

I am not in flame mode
I am not consumed by anger or negative emotions.

Building
I am continuously improving and growing stronger.

Muscle.
My strength and resilience will serve me well.

I will destroy what tries to damage me Again...
I will not be defeated by obstacles or enemies - I will overcome them.

Fearless.
I have no fear in the face of adversity.

You
Addressing someone who may doubt or challenge me.

Know how I live by a third of my Full force and Will.
You may think I hold back, but even at my weakest I am formidable.

In order to not threaten
I choose to restrain my full potential so as not to intimidate others.

Mere mortals...
Those who lack my strength and resilience.

Don't worry.
There is no need to fear me - I am in control.