Schooldays
Kate & Anna McGarrigle featuring Loudon Wainwright Martha Wainwright Rufus Wainwright Chaim Tannenba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would live the life obscene
In the spring I had great hunger
I was Brando I was dean
Blaspheming booted blue-jeaned baby boy
Oh how I made them turn their heads
The townie brownie girls they jumped for joy
In Delaware when I was younger
I would row upon the lake
In the spring I had great hunger
I was Keats I was Blake
My pimpled pencil pains I'd bring
To frogs who sat entranced
My drift-dreamed ditties I would sing
The water strider danced
In Delaware when I was younger
I thought St. Andrew had sufficed
In the spring I had great hunger
I was Buddha, I was Christ
You wicked wisemen where's your wonder
You pharisees someday will pay
See my lightning hear my thunder
I am truth I know the way
In Delaware when I was younger
The song "Schooldays" by Kate & Anna McGarrigle reminisces on the singer's younger years in Delaware. The first verse describes the singer's rebellious and confident demeanor, feeling like a combination of Marlon Brando and James Dean. They were also able to charm and draw attention from local girls. The second verse portrays a different side of the singer's personality, focusing on their creative pursuits. They spent time rowing on the lake and writing poetry, which they shared with the creatures around them. The final verse brings together both aspects of the singer's identity, proclaiming themselves to be a wise and powerful figure, akin to Buddha or Christ.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, such as a critique of conformist society and a celebration of individuality, as well as an exploration of religion and spirituality. The contrast between the singer's rebellious and artistic sides can be seen as a rejection of the narrow-mindedness of traditional education, with the implication that true learning and growth come from pursuing one's passions and expressing oneself freely.
Line by Line Meaning
In Delaware when I was younger
During my youth in Delaware
I would live the life obscene
I lived a wild and rebellious life
In the spring I had great hunger
During springtime, I felt a deep hunger for something more
I was Brando I was dean
I emulated Brando and Dean, trying to be cool and edgy
Blaspheming booted blue-jeaned baby boy
I acted irreverently and impiously while wearing jeans and boots
Oh how I made them turn their heads
I attracted a lot of attention with my behavior
The townie brownie girls they jumped for joy
The local girls were excited by my appearance and behavior
Begged me bless them in their beds
They desired to be intimate with me
I would row upon the lake
I spent time rowing on the lake
My pimpled pencil pains I'd bring
My adolescent angst and frustration
To frogs who sat entranced
To the frogs that were captivated by my artistic expression
My drift-dreamed ditties I would sing
I sang my poetic musings
The water strider danced
The insects on the water surface seemed to dance to my songs
I thought St. Andrew had sufficed
I believed my Christian education was enough
I was Keats I was Blake
I tried to channel the romantic poets Keats and Blake
I was Buddha, I was Christ
I saw myself as enlightened, even on par with religious leaders like Buddha and Christ
You wicked wisemen where's your wonder
I questioned the wisdom of others
You pharisees someday will pay
I believed hypocrites would eventually face consequences
See my lightning hear my thunder
I claimed to be powerful and influential
I am truth I know the way
I saw myself as a guide and beacon of truth
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind