Curl of the Burl
Mastodon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I put my hands around his throat
He tried to reason with the sky and the clouds
But it didn't matter, 'cause they can't hear a sound
Oh
Oh
Oh
It's just the curl of the burl
It's just the curl of the burl
That's just the way of the world
It's just the curl of the burl
Splinters in my skin, just like needles and pins
I cut through the pine, love the feeling it gives
Been out here for days running through these trees
I'm using my hands, cuttin' through the disease
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh oh oh
It's just the curl of the burl
It's just the curl of the burl
That's just the way of the world
It's just the curl of the burl
I feed the powerless
Chewed it up, spit the rest
I feed the powerless
Chewed it up, spit out the rest
It's just the curl of the burl
It's just the curl of the burl
That's just the way of the world
It's just the curl of the burl
Oh
Oh oh
Oh
Oh oh oh
Oh
Oh oh
Oh
Oh oh oh
The lyrics to Mastodon's "Curl of the Burl" tell the story of a man's descent into madness and violence, all sparked by the death of his beloved goat. The first verse sets up the conflict as the man seeks revenge on the person responsible for the goat's death. The violence is described in vivid detail as the singer puts his hands around the other person's throat. The second verse is more abstract, with the singer referencing splinters in his skin and the feeling of cutting through pine trees. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for his mental state, with the pine trees representing his own mind and the act of cutting through them representing his struggle to regain control.
The chorus repeats the phrase "It's just the curl of the burl," which can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that it's a reference to the twisted patterns found in burl wood, which some people value for its beauty. This could symbolize the way that even the most horrific or chaotic events can contain elements of beauty, whether it's in the form of revenge, personal growth, or some other outcome. Another way to interpret the phrase is as a kind of fatalism or nihilism, with the singer suggesting that the violence and madness he's experiencing is simply a part of the natural order of things, beyond his control.
Overall, the lyrics to "Curl of the Burl" are dark and unsettling, but also undeniably powerful. The imagery is potent and the chorus is catchy enough to get stuck in your head after just one listen. The song is a great example of Mastodon's unique sound, which blends heavy metal with progressive rock and a touch of Southern gothic influence.
Line by Line Meaning
I killed a man 'cause he killed my goat
I sought revenge on a man who killed my prized goat.
I put my hands around his throat
I strangled the man with my bare hands.
He tried to reason with the sky and the clouds
The man attempted to plead his innocence to the elements of nature.
But it didn't matter, 'cause they can't hear a sound
But his cries fell on deaf ears, as the sky and clouds are deaf to human cries.
It's just the curl of the burl
This act of violence is just one small part of the chaotic nature of the world.
That's just the way of the world
The violence and chaos of the world is an inherent and unavoidable part of life.
Splinters in my skin, just like needles and pins
The pain of the forest's rough terrain is like that of needles piercing the skin.
I cut through the pine, love the feeling it gives
Despite the pain, I enjoy the act of cutting through the trees.
Been out here for days running through these trees
I've been out in the forest for days, running and living off the land.
I'm using my hands, cuttin' through the disease
I'm using my bare hands to cut through the diseased parts of the forest.
I feed the powerless
I help those who are weaker and less fortunate than myself.
Chewed it up, spit the rest
I take what I need and leave the rest behind.
Oh
Repeated as part of the chorus.
Oh oh
Repeated as part of the chorus.
Oh oh oh
Repeated as part of the chorus.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRANN TIMOTHY DAILOR, TROY JAYSON SANDERS, WILLIAM BREEN KELLIHER, WILLIAM BRENT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ryanexsus
I love how Mastodon still has that Southern sound to them. Keeping the sludge metal alive.
Tyler
Check out DopeThrone. I love Electric Wizard and Mastodon. But in my opinion DopeThrone do sludge metal better than anyone. I love the versatility of Mastodon and Electric Wizard (see Crack The Skye and Witchcult Today).
Joseph Hartsock
@Tyler yo check out this smaller band I found the other day called Baardvader, illuminate and understand are two great songs that just came out. Huge electric wizard vibes
Jack McGrath
Mastodons song the beast is great
loaked3000
The burl is the knot that’s found in various trees — it’s almost like a cancer of trees. Within that burl are unique swirls or curls. A lot of people will cut those down and sell them to wood-makers, wood sculptors, and furniture makers because it’s got a unique design to it. And this is a true story which happens in the Pacific Northwest — a lot of people go out in the woods with chainsaws, they find these burls, they cut them down, they load their pickup trucks with these burls, take them in to town sell them to various wood-makers, take the money from that, purchase more meth, go back in the woods and continue that circle of insanity. So it’s based on a true story. People will steal your cars, steal copper…and people will go out there in the woods and steal burls. - "Troy"
Guitar Dunce
Well today I learned. Cheers.
Tim Bagnall
dude thanks for that info -seriously-youre obviously pretty intelligent ,i was wondering the meaning of the song and you nailed it thanks bro
CRYIPTIC CREEP
Interpretation Is Free....Knowing Is Forever
Casey Plooy
loaked3000 ......thanks for explaining the song that explains itself.
heatto jones
Cool.. i thought i was the only one who new what this song was about