continuous broken continu… Read Full Bio ↴it’s not a regression, but it’s a standstill,
continuous broken continuity,
you see a pale world behind swollen eyes.
Tired legs tap off-tempo to the sound of a new song,
and old teachings swell from throats of the past.
You say a leopard can change it’s spots,
but you still can’t see rainbows,
it’s like a masterpiece painted with broken brushes
and your belief lies in torn pages.
Your belief lies in torn pages,
torn pages that writhe and run down a path untrodden.
Cold hearts beat inside broken cages.
These heads lay buried in books,
false script clothing their ears.
Pale
Kerouac Lyrics
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The song "Pale" by Kerouac portrays a feeling of being stuck in a standstill, a continuous broken continuity where the world appears pale through swollen eyes. The lyrics suggest exhaustion and weariness, with tired legs tapping off-tempo to the sound of a new song. The song highlights the importance of old teachings, even though they might come from throats of the past. Kerouac questions the validity of the belief that people can change, as it seems impossible to see rainbows in a world painted with broken brushes.
The song conveys the idea that people hold onto their beliefs, even when they are torn and no longer applicable. The symbolism of torn pages writhing and running down an untrodden path evokes a feeling of restlessness and uncertainty. In contrast, the cold hearts beating inside broken cages suggest a sense of confinement and isolation.
The line "these heads lay buried in books, false script clothing their ears" emphasizes the idea of being trapped in one's own belief system. Kerouac seems to imply that people often hold onto their beliefs even when they are misguided or outdated. The song encourages listeners to break free from such limitations and explore new ideas and perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
it’s not a regression, but it’s a standstill, continuous broken continuity, you see a pale world behind swollen eyes.
Life isn't getting worse, but it's not moving forward either. It's a constant state of being stuck, with a shattered sense of continuity. Everything appears colorless and dull through tired and puffy eyes.
Tired legs tap off-tempo to the sound of a new song, and old teachings swell from throats of the past.
Feeling weary, one moves out of sync with the rhythm of life. Old ways of thinking and doing things are remembered and repeated by those who have come before.
You say a leopard can change it’s spots, but you still can’t see rainbows, it’s like a masterpiece painted with broken brushes and your belief lies in torn pages.
You claim that people can change, yet you yourself cannot overcome a negative outlook. Life seems imperfect and flawed, like a beautiful work of art that has been created with flawed tools, and you hold onto beliefs that have already been proven false.
Your belief lies in torn pages, torn pages that writhe and run down a path untrodden.
You have faith in ideas that are worn and broken, and these beliefs lead you down an unknown and untraveled path.
Cold hearts beat inside broken cages.
People's hearts have become cold and indifferent due to their own personal struggles and emotional pain.
These heads lay buried in books, false script clothing their ears.
People's minds have become closed off as they immerse themselves in written works that contain inaccurate or misleading information.
Contributed by Mackenzie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.