The Rope
Neal J. Otter Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Down by the harbourside
A boat is fastened by a length of rope.
It was a perfect match,
Dreaming of escape,
Feeling almost detached.
Look beneath the waves -
The seabirds diving down into black water.
The morning bells begin,
Schoolchildren chant and spin.
A length of rope
Below a hanging tree,
Like cruel secrets some of us turn out to be.
Should our love increase,
We are all released like statues from marble.
While in a prison yard,
They're taking turns to guard
A length of rope.
Are you too weak to fight?
Picking up a thread and then stretching it tight.
Look beneath the waves -
The seabirds diving down into black water.




Still our love increased,
We are all released like statues from marble.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Neal J. Otter's song, "The Rope," are a metaphorical portrayal of the human experience. The song starts with a boat that is fastened by a length of rope. It symbolizes our longing for freedom, but we remain confined by our circumstances. We are just like the boat that yearns to be set free but is held back by the rope, which represents our limitations. The singer of the song is dreaming of escape, feeling almost detached, and wanting to break free from the monotony of life.


The second stanza of the song paints a dark picture of life. The seabirds diving down into black water evoke a sense of foreboding, representing the challenges that one has to face in life. The morning bells begin, and schoolchildren chant and spin, highlighting the innocence of childhood, which is lost as one grows up. The line "a length of rope below a hanging tree, like cruel secrets some of us turn out to be" refers to the darker side of humanity. Secrets can be like a noose tied around our necks, and if they are not dealt with, they can destroy us.


The third and final stanza of the song depicts the duality of life. While in a prison yard, they are taking turns to guard a length of rope. The image of a rope in a prison yard represents the hopelessness and despair of the imprisoned. However, the song ends on a more optimistic tone, suggesting that love can liberate us from our chains. If our love increases, we are all released like statues from marble, signifying personal growth and freedom from our limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

Down by the harbourside
At the location near the port


A boat is fastened by a length of rope.
There is a boat tied with a rope


It was a perfect match,
The boat and rope were a good combination


Dreaming of escape,
Desiring to get away


Feeling almost detached.
Feeling almost disconnected from reality


Look beneath the waves -
Observe below the water surface


The seabirds diving down into black water.
Birds that live in or around the water diving down into the dark depths


The morning bells begin,
The sound of church bells in the early hours of the day


Schoolchildren chant and spin.
Children singing and twirling around


A length of rope
A piece of cord or string


Below a hanging tree,
In the vicinity of a tree where someone was hung


Like cruel secrets some of us turn out to be.
Some of us reveal our dark and ugly side like secrets


Should our love increase,
In case our love grows stronger


We are all released like statues from marble.
We will be free like sculptures made of marble


While in a prison yard,
Inside a penitentiary area


They're taking turns to guard
They are alternating to watch over


A length of rope.
A piece of cord or string


Are you too weak to fight?
Is your willpower not strong enough to resist?


Picking up a thread and then stretching it tight.
Pulling a string and making it taut


Still our love increased,
Despite everything, our affection grew stronger


We are all released like statues from marble.
All of us become liberated like sculptures carved from marble




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

JellyFish

The player may not have tries to kill him but he definitely meant to injure him. RIP you will never be forgotten.







I also think that neck guards should be standard because of what could happen and has happened.
Edit: I do think the player should be held accountable because it was preventable and clearly somewhat intentional.



All comments from YouTube:

Peak Erenc

I've been watching hockey since the 1970's and NEVER in 50 years have I ever seen a guy kick his leg up like that.

Circesoul22

The player who kicked him has penalties for dirty plays.

ro

@Circesoul22He needs to go to jail.

Scotch Onyx

We can all lie to ourselves it was an accident, but if you want the actual clips in slow motion. The player kicked his skates twice.

Peak Erenc

@Circesoul22 I believe it. I been involved in hockey for over 40 years and I've never seen anything like that before.

MikeG82

It was murder

159 More Replies...

Karla Soraya

No way, no how this was an accident!!! He flew that kick straight at him. This is just heartbreaking, a young man life taken away in an instant 💔

Bstaznkid4lyfe

He knew what he was doing..

Veloction

I saw in a comment that someone said the person who kicked him gets a lot of penalties because of dirty play. He kicked him on purpose.

CleanestBowl553

Immediate inprisonment for the other guy and lifetime ban

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