Medicine
Million Dead Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The day will come
At a redrawing of the boundaries
When Pilsudski
Will rear his head in Iberia,
'Cause he's been moving west
For centuries,
Creeping
Every time that Mazzini turns
In his grave.
And I have watched his drift with sallow skin
And with longing
For the western coasts where he would lay his head
And get well

For he has caught a disease
That makes him bleed when breathing.
They sent him south for the cure
To the shores of the Starnbergersee.

So the day will come
When I pack my things
And move west
Into the setting sun
Because my strength has failed,
I am fading
So will you tend my sheep
And will you till my fields
Until I get back
Because I will be coming home,
My health restored.

And if Josef can lose
Himself in the dark
Of the continent
Then surely
There must be a way
That I can cough up the last
Of the cought in my lungs
And lose myself.

Nineteenth Century science
Cannot soother my chest.
Staggering through Europe,
I keep on heading west.

My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun

My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun

My medicine
My medicine
Is a setting sun
My medicine




My medicine
Is a setting sun

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Million Dead's song "Medicine" are highly poetic and contain numerous references to historical figures and events. At its core, the song appears to be a meditation on mortality and the desperation that can accompany illness. The first verse mentions Polish statesman Józef Piłsudski, who is known for his role in the country's struggle for independence in the early 20th century. The lyrics suggest that Piłsudski's restless spirit is still moving west centuries later, as if seeking a cure or a better life. The mention of Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini, who is buried in Genoa, appears to be a nod to the idea that Piłsudski is following in his footsteps in some sense.


The second verse shifts to the singer's perspective, as they describe the disease that has afflicted them and the failed attempts at finding a cure. The mention of the Starnbergersee, a lake in southern Germany, implies that the singer has traveled to that region in search of healing. The third verse then returns to the idea of heading west, this time with a more personal appeal as the singer implores someone to take care of their belongings while they seek out a cure for their illness. The final refrain, "My medicine is a setting sun," suggests that the singer is resigned to their mortality and sees no hope in medicine or science.


Overall, "Medicine" is a richly layered and allusive song that combines personal experience with historical and literary references. Its central theme is the search for a cure or relief from illness, but it also touches on broader ideas about history, memory, and the transience of human life.


Line by Line Meaning

The day will come
There will be a day in the future


At a redrawing of the boundaries
During a change in political or territorial borders


When Pilsudski
Referring to Józef Piłsudski, a Polish nationalist and socialist politician


Will rear his head in Iberia,
Will become dominant or influential in Spain and Portugal


'Cause he's been moving west
Because he has been expanding his influence to the western parts of Europe


For centuries,
For a long period of time


Creeping
Advancing gradually and secretly


Every time that Mazzini turns
Every time Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian revolutionary, dies and is buried


In his grave.
Referring to Mazzini being dead and buried


And I have watched his drift with sallow skin
And I have observed his progression with pale and sickly-looking skin (possibly referring to Piłsudski's health)


And with longing
And with a strong desire or yearning


For the western coasts where he would lay his head
For the western regions where Piłsudski could rest


And get well
And recover from his illness


For he has caught a disease
Because he has contracted an illness


That makes him bleed when breathing.
That causes him to bleed when he breathes


They sent him south for the cure
He was sent south for treatment


To the shores of the Starnbergersee.
Referring to a lake in Bavaria, Germany, possibly where Piłsudski received treatment


So the day will come
So there will come a time in the future


When I pack my things
When I prepare to leave


And move west
And go to or travel towards the western parts of Europe


Into the setting sun
Towards the sun as it sets in the west


Because my strength has failed,
Because of my loss of strength or energy


I am fading
I am weakening or declining


So will you tend my sheep
So will you take care of my responsibilities or possessions while I'm gone (possibly referring to an actual herd of sheep)


And will you till my fields
And will you work on my land or farm


Until I get back
Until I return


Because I will be coming home,
Because I will return home


My health restored.
My health will be restored


And if Josef can lose
And if Józef Piłsudski can disappear or hide


Himself in the dark
Himself and his whereabouts can remain hidden or unknown


Of the continent
In the vast lands of Europe


Then surely
Then certainly or undoubtedly


There must be a way
There must be a method or means


That I can cough up the last
That I can expel the remaining amount of


Of the cought in my lungs
Referring to mucus, phlegm, or a disease in the singer's lungs


And lose myself.
And disappear or become lost


Nineteenth Century science
Science and medical knowledge from the 1800s


Cannot soother my chest.
Cannot provide relief for the singer's chest or lungs


Staggering through Europe,
Moving through Europe unsteadily or with difficulty


I keep on heading west.
I continue to move towards the western parts of Europe


My medicine
What makes me better or my relief


Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west


My medicine
What makes me better or my relief


My medicine
What makes me better or my relief


Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west


My medicine
What makes me better or my relief


Is a setting sun
Is the sun as it sets in the west




Contributed by Gabriel M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Dave R

Totally underrated song

Tomato&Potato Prodakszyns

Thx for the upload ! 

More Versions