In 2002, Halstead released his debut solo album, Sleeping on Roads. A second solo album, Oh! Mighty Engine was released on July 29, 2008. Halstead's third solo album, 'Palindrome Hunches', was released on September 11, 2012.
Martha's Mantra
Neil Halstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she says she lost her mantra way down South
but all that repetition just got her down, got her down
Now she says she won't do drugs
because she found something to love
she cured herself of everything
there's nothing left but hair and skin
The only thing I asked her
was did she have a plaster
for my pain, oh for the pain
She closed her eyes and took my hand,
she said "God might have a plan for me"
But making love in Martha's room
I felt like I could see through her to him
But heaven is the place that's open
when all the bars in town are closed
heaven is the place, I never find
The only thing I told her
was that God would have no answer
for my pain, oh for the pain, oh for the pain
She threw my clothes against the wall
she said "I've met your type before
don't go, oh don't go"
I've cured myself of everything
and now I think I know what makes you tick
She tied my hands about my head
said a prayer and fetched her wit
she said the devil hides within my heart
The only thing I asked her
was did she have a plaster
for my pain, oh for the pain
oh for the pain, oh for the pain
"Martha's Mantra" by Neil Halstead is a song that explores the themes of self-discovery, redemption, and spirituality. The song begins with Martha, who has lost her mantra, and takes the greyhounds to find it. She has been repeating her mantra for so long that it got her down. She claims to have cured herself of everything and found something to love. When Martha meets the singer of the song, he asks her if she had a plaster for his pain. She closed her eyes and took his hand, telling him that God might have a plan for her.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Martha has found her spirituality through sex. The singer feels like he can see through Martha to God during sex. However, despite her spiritual awakening, Martha is still struggling with her inner demons. She tells the singer that she has met his type before and asks him not to leave her. She ties up the singer's hands, saying that the devil hides within his heart. The song ends with the singer asking Martha if she has a plaster for his pain.
The song's lyrics and soft melody capture the introspection and discovery of oneself. It also explores the idea of spirituality and how it can take different forms for different people. The ambiguity of Martha's spiritual path and whether it's truly working for her is left open to interpretation. Overall, "Martha's Mantra" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Martha takes the greyhounds
Martha is taking the greyhounds with her.
she says she lost her mantra way down South
Martha claims to have lost her mantra when she was down South.
but all that repetition just got her down, got her down
Repeating her mantra so much made Martha feel depressed.
Now she says she won't do drugs
Martha is no longer doing drugs.
because she found something to love
Martha now has found something else to love instead of drugs.
she cured herself of everything
Martha cured herself of all her past addictions and ailments.
there's nothing left but hair and skin
Martha feels like there is nothing left of herself except for her physical appearance.
The only thing I asked her
Neil, the singer, mentions that the only question he asked Martha was:
was did she have a plaster
Neil asked Martha if she had a plaster.
for my pain, oh for the pain
Neil was looking for something to relieve his pain.
She closed her eyes and took my hand,
Martha closed her eyes and held Neil's hand.
she said "God might have a plan for me"
Martha tells Neil that she believes that God has a plan for her.
But making love in Martha's room
Neil and Martha make love in Martha's room.
I felt like I could see through her to him
While making love to Martha, Neil felt like he could see through her to another person, presumably God.
But heaven is the place that's open
The idea that Neil has of heaven is a place that is open when all the bars are closed.
when all the bars in town are closed
Neil imagines a place that is open when all the bars in town are closed to be like heaven.
heaven is the place, I never find
Neil expresses that he feels like he will never find this imagined heaven.
The only thing I told her
Neil mentions that the only thing he told Martha was:
was that God would have no answer
Neil believes that God cannot provide an answer to his pain or problems.
for my pain, oh for the pain, oh for the pain
Again, Neil is lamenting his pain and the inability of God to provide a solution.
She threw my clothes against the wall
Martha throws Neil's clothes against the wall.
she said "I've met your type before
Martha tells Neil that she has met someone like him before.
don't go, oh don't go"
Martha implores Neil not to go.
I've cured myself of everything
Martha reiterates that she has cured herself of everything.
and now I think I know what makes you tick
Martha believes that she understands what Neil is all about.
She tied my hands about my head
Martha ties Neil's hands above his head.
said a prayer and fetched her wit
Martha says a prayer and goes to get something, perhaps to help with their lovemaking.
she said the devil hides within my heart
Martha tells Neil that she believes the devil is hidden within her heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FrigginTommyNoble
One of the most beautiful and haunting lyrics ever written: “She closed her eyes and took my hand, she said that God might have a plan for me. / And making love in Martha’s room I felt like I could see through her to Him. “
Absolutely takes my breath away every time I hear it.
Aninter Netdweller
Holy fuck this guy writes such beautiful music. I can't believe it's taken me this long to find it. Almost seems to sit somewhere between Elliot Smith and Iron & Wine.
Cardinall
Thanks for posting, Neil is awesome!
dan john
one of my all time favourite songs by one of my all time favourite artists
Insert a creative username or something
Alison's daughter is Martha