Safesurfer
Julian Cope Lyrics


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And I saw my old man
Exploding out of the tunnel
I knew what came next
Recognized that cruel scene
That brought the downfall
Of the distant gaze, distant gaze

Welcome in, a son of Clovius Boofus
Just another sheep boy
Duck call, swan song
Idiot son of Donkey Kong and I say

You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'
You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'

You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'
You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'

You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'
You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'

You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'




You don't have to be afraid, love
'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Julian Cope's song Safesurfer depict a haunting scene of the singer's father "exploding out of the tunnel." The following lines suggest that this scene is a traumatic one that has caused "the downfall of a distant gaze." The meaning of the lyrics is ambiguous, but the idea of trauma from a father figure is clear. The second verse introduces a new character named Clovius Boofus, who is likely a fictional or historical figure. The singer refers to himself as an "idiot son of Donkey Kong," contrasted with the more prestigious lineage of Clovius Boofus.


The chorus brings together the title of the song, "safesurfer," and the theme of overcoming fear. The repetition of the phrase "you don't have to be afraid, love" reinforces this idea. The safesurfer can be interpreted as someone who has experienced trauma but has overcome it and is now a source of safety for others. The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation and could have multiple meanings depending on the listener's experience and perspective.


Line by Line Meaning

And I saw my old man
I witnessed the appearance of my father


Exploding out of the tunnel
He emerged suddenly and dramatically from a confined space


I knew what came next
I had a sense of what was about to happen


Recognized that cruel scene
I identified the sight of something that was harsh and brutal


That brought the downfall
This action caused a decline or collapse


Of the distant gaze, distant gaze
This event affected a far-off, detached look


Welcome in, a son of Clovius Boofus
Introduce a new individual who is the child of this particular person


Just another sheep boy
Merely an ordinary follower, without any special qualities


Duck call, swan song
A final effort, related to the sound made by a hunting tool and a beautiful melody


Idiot son of Donkey Kong and I say
A foolish offspring of a video game character, and I declare


You don't have to be afraid, love
There's no need for you to feel scared, my dear


'Cause I'm a safesurfer, darlin'
Because I am someone who can navigate the dangers of the online world with ease




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JULIAN COPE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Si Et


on World War Pigs

hey joe,
i've got some bad news to tell you
that jews killed moses late last night
the word's out that Ala
he's been hijacked
they're walking in the dessert without my god
and this song,
this song is freaking me out
and the moon, tonight,
i don't require it's light
petrochemical dollars in my pocket
i feel like i ransomed out of sight

because the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

hey feets,
gotta start walking
but my shoes are way to tired
so i packed my bags,
started driving
because i feel ransomed out of sight

because the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

the world war pigs
defend one another
while the whole world burns
in a third world war

(etc)

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