the rope
Neal J. Otter Lyrics


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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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Comments from YouTube:

@adolfgaming1761

The black guy in the end

"Sup yall 😃"

@TT-oi9mo

😂

@angr7188

Latino not BLACK

@ArthurMorgan-pq4tr

Yessum

@ArthurMorgan-pq4tr

@@angr7188 It's a little hard to tell in this circumstance.

@keithmccaslyn2527

Grammar & Semantic's, would be "majorly up", you know like kryptonight? Whats up is NOT a greeting,its still a question, and an incomplete sentence!! Additionally since you didn't invent the English Lanaguage,but only mariginally speak it, the abouve remains so!! it is NOT a greeting it is STILL, a question! NOT that you GAFF,about all of that!

93 More Replies...

@KevinsAwfulVideos

Who teaches their child to ride a bike on the grass?

@andrewyoung2796

Better place to fall?

@luxborealis

I learned it on grass. Not safe on the roads in the rural areas like where I lived, cars zoom past.

@saucejohnson9862

A terrible father who spends too much time at work!

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