Martin
Monkey Swallows the Universe Lyrics


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It all began in Spring when he was sat in that chair looking so old and distant and half dead
And he began to think of all the books he hadn't read and all the memories lost and that's when he said
"Oh baby don't you look at me no more
I'm lazy untalented and poor
I can't give you everything that you ask for
Why don't you go go go?"

She said "How'm I gonna go when you're sitting on my coat?
Looks like I will have to stay til you're on your feet again
Baby you're just the same as me, I feel that way from time to time,
But you will be fine"

He didn't hear her words, he didn't see her face – he was mired in his heartache
He could only think of all the drugs and drink
And what he could've been and what his life could mean
"Oh baby why'm I so disappointing?
What happened to me life being promising?
I can't give you everything that you ask for
Why don't you go go go?

She said "How'm I gonna leave when you're crying on my sleeve?
Looks like I will have to stay at least until the washing's dry
Baby you're just the same as me, I feel that way once in a while,
But everything'll be alright."

This time he heard but he misunderstood
He took the wrong wrong wrong way out of the wood
He began to rise, he looked in her eyes and said
"Oh baby aren't you trying to help me?
Is it too much to ask for your sympathy?
Didn't I give you all the love that you asked for?
And now you're gonna go?"

She said "Where'm I gonna go when you're the only home I know?
Looks like I will have to stay at least until the taps run dry




Maybe you're not the same as me but I still think I could make you smile
You'll see, you will be fine, yeah we'll be fine."

Overall Meaning

The song "Martin" by Monkey Swallows the Universe is a story about a man named Martin and his struggles with self-doubt and his inability to provide for his partner. The lyrics paint a picture of Martin as an old and distant man who is reflecting on his life and all the opportunities he has missed. He feels like he is lazy, untalented and poor, and can't give his partner everything she needs. He tells her to leave because he doesn't think he can make her happy. However, his partner refuses to go, telling him that she understands his struggles and that everything will be alright.


Martin's partner tries to console him but he is too consumed by his heartache and his regrets. He thinks about all the drugs and drink he has consumed and wonders what his life could have been. He feels like he is disappointing his partner, and he can't give her everything she asks for. Martin tells her to leave him, but his partner refuses and stays with him until things get better. Martin starts to misunderstand her intentions, accusing her of not helping him and not showing him any sympathy. His partner tries to explain that she is there for him, and that she will stay with him until the taps run dry, and that she believes he will be fine.


Overall, the song "Martin" is a poignant story about the struggles of self-doubt, regret, and the importance of having a supportive partner. The lyrics show that it's important to have someone who believes in us, even when we don't believe in ourselves.


Line by Line Meaning

It all began in Spring when he was sat in that chair looking so old and distant and half dead
In Spring, the man was sitting in a chair appearing old, distant and despondent, and entered a reflective state contemplating books unread and memories lost.


And he began to think of all the books he hadn't read and all the memories lost and that's when he said
He ruminated on unread books and lost memories and expressed self-doubt.


"Oh baby don't you look at me no more I'm lazy untalented and poor I can't give you everything that you ask for Why don't you go go go?"
He wallowed in self-pity and urged his partner to leave, citing his perceived inadequacies and inability to fulfill their desires.


She said "How'm I gonna go when you're sitting on my coat? Looks like I will have to stay til you're on your feet again Baby you're just the same as me, I feel that way from time to time, But you will be fine"
She empathized with him, but insisted on staying to help him get back on his feet, offering reassurance that they shared similar feelings, but he would overcome his struggles.


He didn't hear her words, he didn't see her face – he was mired in his heartache He could only think of all the drugs and drink And what he could've been and what his life could mean "Oh baby why'm I so disappointing? What happened to me life being promising? I can't give you everything that you ask for Why don't you go go go?
He was consumed by his misery and self-blame, fixating on the missed opportunities, substance abuse and incapability to satisfy his partner's needs, seeking further justification for her to leave.


She said "How'm I gonna leave when you're crying on my sleeve? Looks like I will have to stay at least until the washing's dry Baby you're just the same as me, I feel that way once in a while, But everything'll be alright."
She confronted his concerns and continued supporting him, even through the hardships of doing laundry, expressing that her own similar struggles would eventually subside and assuring him.


This time he heard but he misunderstood He took the wrong wrong wrong way out of the wood He began to rise, he looked in her eyes and said "Oh baby aren't you trying to help me? Is it too much to ask for your sympathy? Didn't I give you all the love that you asked for? And now you're gonna go?"
Misinterpreting her efforts, he took an incorrect path out of his difficulties and accused her of withholding sympathy, despite his attempts to fulfill her needs and their emotional connection.


She said "Where'm I gonna go when you're the only home I know? Looks like I will have to stay at least until the taps run dry Maybe you're not the same as me but I still think I could make you smile You'll see, you will be fine, yeah we'll be fine."
She reaffirmed their shared history and home, pledging to weather the hardships until they pass, optimistically committed to bringing him joy and achieving stability together.




Contributed by Scarlett N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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