His studio albums have become increasingly experimental. While they often feature full arrangements including horns, piano, bass, drums, and back-up singers, he has translated these arrangements on stage to just himself and his guitar without slowing the tempo or sacrificing components of the song. Like the folk-country and Delta blues singers that influence him, he uses his feet, the palm of his left hand, and his voice, to simulate drums and bass behind his vocals and guitar chords. Often Sexton will accentuate his songs by running his vocals through a guitar processor (similar to Peter Frampton), as well as a jazz trumpet-like singing style.
Éléphant
Martin Sexton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Father wanted to run away
With the circus as a kid
Or a teen escape to the priestly way
And in a way he almost did
Twelve children 'round the supper table
Every blessed one is his
The holy circus that it is.
And me, I'm looking on with elephant's memory
At that old elephant in the living room
You know the one we try not to see
The one who ain't gonna be leaving too soon
He's calling, he's calling.
Mother asked me what I'm grateful for
We make up something one by one
Father says forgive us sinners lord
Staring right at me when he's done
Baby sees the elephant like she sees the steam rising off her plate
But soon enough she'll fall in line
And finally learn to look away
I think he's calling, he's calling
As the secrecy's keeping the lock on the gate
Guarding us in our safe place
Watching and waiting for someone to step out of line
Enforcing with anti-grace
All of you keepers and want to be sleepers
Wake up there's a message so clear
I saw the elephant and I looked him in the eye
And he begged me not to tell you he's here
But he's here. He's here
And he's calling, he's calling.
The song "Elephant" by Martin Sexton is a complex exploration of a family's dynamics and secrets. The song begins with a description of the father's childhood dream of joining the circus or becoming a priest, both paths offering a way of escape from a mundane life. However, the father ultimately chose to have twelve children and lead a devout Catholic life, with everybody in the family participating in the rituals like chanting the rosary. The singer, who has an "elephant's memory," is now looking at the "elephant in the living room." The elephant here is a metaphor for the family's secrets that they try not to acknowledge, but which are painfully visible to anyone who cares to see.
The lyrics go on to describe the family's interactions during dinner, where they make up things to be grateful for, and the father asks for forgiveness for the sins they have committed. The baby in the family sees the elephant in the same way as she sees steam rising from her plate - as something that's just there, normal, not to be questioned. However, the singer knows better, and has looked the elephant in the eye. He knows that the elephant is calling, and that it won't leave anytime soon. The secrecy is reinforced by the family's desire to keep their safe place intact, to keep each other in line. But the elephant is still calling, and its message is clear - something needs to change, something needs to be addressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling, calling
The presence of something taboo or uncomfortable is being felt and needs to be addressed.
Father wanted to run away
The singer's father desired to escape his responsibilities and live a completely different life than the one he ended up living.
With the circus as a kid
He desired to join the circus as a means of escape when he was a child.
Or a teen escape to the priestly way
The father also contemplated joining the priesthood as a way to escape his mundane existence during his teenage years.
And in a way he almost did
Although he never pursued a different life, he likely held on to this desire deep within himself.
Twelve children 'round the supper table
The father ended up having a large family despite his desires to escape familial responsibility.
Every blessed one is his
He takes full ownership and responsibility for all of his children.
Chanting ten turns 'round the rosary
The family holds onto their religious beliefs and practices them regularly, including the recitation of the rosary.
The holy circus that it is.
Their family dynamic is similar to a circus, with their own set of rules, rituals and routines.
And me, I'm looking on with elephant's memory
The artist has a keen ability to remember and recall past events and feelings.
At that old elephant in the living room
The presence of an uncomfortable and taboo subject is referred to as an elephant in the room that no one wants to acknowledge or address.
You know the one we try not to see
Despite the presence of this taboo subject, members of the family choose to ignore it and maintain the status quo.
The one who ain't gonna be leaving too soon
The presence of the taboo subject will continue to linger and remain unresolved.
He's calling, he's calling.
The taboo subject continues to demand attention and resolution.
Mother asked me what I'm grateful for
The mother seeks to create a positive and grateful atmosphere despite the presence of the taboo subject.
We make up something one by one
Each family member comes up with something they are grateful for as a means of deflecting from the uncomfortable subject.
Father says forgive us sinners lord
The father acknowledges the family's faults and asks for forgiveness.
Staring right at me when he's done
The father's gaze is directed towards the singer, indicating that he needs to reflect on his own faults and ask for forgiveness as well.
Baby sees the elephant like she sees the steam rising off her plate
The youngest member of the family, who is still innocent, is able to see the taboo subject in the same way as any other normal thing in her life.
But soon enough she'll fall in line
As the baby grows up, she will eventually learn the same patterns of behavior and thought as the rest of the family.
And finally learn to look away
Like the rest of the family, she will learn to ignore the taboo subject rather than address it.
I think he's calling, he's calling
The artist senses a continued need to address the taboo subject.
As the secrecy's keeping the lock on the gate
The need for secrecy and avoidance is preventing efforts to resolve the issue.
Guarding us in our safe place
The use of secrecy and avoidance creates a sense of false security for the family.
Watching and waiting for someone to step out of line
The family members remain vigilant and on guard against any actions or words that could potentially expose or threaten the taboo subject.
Enforcing with anti-grace
The family uses negative reinforcement to maintain the status quo.
All of you keepers and want to be sleepers
Those who maintain the taboo subject's status quo are referred to as 'keepers', while those who refuse to address the issue are referred to as 'sleepers'.
Wake up there's a message so clear
There is a message that needs to be received and addressed by the family.
I saw the elephant and I looked him in the eye
The artist has faced the taboo subject head-on and is aware of its presence.
And he begged me not to tell you he's here
The taboo subject is aware of its controversial nature and pleads for it not to be addressed by the family.
But he's here. He's here
Despite the taboo subject's attempts at avoidance, it remains present and needs to be addressed.
And he's calling, he's calling.
The need to address the taboo subject continues to demand attention and resolution.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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