Fourty years after this debut, Nick Garrie is back with "49 Arlington Gardens", long-awaited new album, due to be released on Elefant Records in early 2009.
The Nightmare Of J.B. Stanislas
Nick Garrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One day I'll mend it wipe away my tracks
I met a crab today in my backyard
I tried to smile but it was too hard
I watched that crab from way above
From Beirut's mainland to the shores of love
Her eyes are reeling wheeling feeling through my mind
Your face is kind
I'm going to take you
Take you, take you, take you to my home
Of faded purple and ancient gold
I could trim the garden if I felt inclined
Or I could buy a dog and lead the blind
Inside the kitchen or beside the fire
It's much the same the flames don't get no higher
Her fingers touched me stroked my eyes ran through my hair
My name is Stanislas
Your face is kind
Take me, take me, take me to your home
Of faded purple and ancient gold
My head is sore I've slept so bad
I dreamt a whore sat on my table mat
Perhaps my dreams are good to know
But I feel so bad and my head hurts so
Your lips are moving turning curling into smiles
My name is Stanislas
My name is Stanislas
My name is Stanislas of that I'm sure
Now I am Stanislas of that I'm sure
The opening two lines of Nick Garrie's song, "The Nightmare Of J.B. Stanislas," present a simple yet powerful metaphor for the singer's state of mind. He explains that his "windowpane is a little cracked," which effectively illustrates the fragility of his mental state. He then goes on to express his hopes of fixing that crack to "wipe away my tracks," indicating his desire to erase the hurt and pain he has experienced. His encounter with a crab in his backyard serves as a reminder of the difficulties he faces while trying to be happy or even just to smile. His thoughts, however, turn to a woman who he describes as having "reeling wheeling feeling through my mind, Your face is kind," suggesting that he finds comfort in her, despite the turmoil of his life.
The final stanza of the song begins with an admission of his troubles, "My head is sore I've slept so bad." He then describes a dream he's had involving a "whore" sitting on his table mat, which he interprets as a cautionary tale. Finally, he repeats his name, "My name is Stanislas," seemingly cementing his sense of self and of identity. The song comes across as a meditation on the human condition, full of pain and hope, realness and delusion.
Line by Line Meaning
My windowpane is a little cracked
My life may have a few minor imperfections
One day I'll mend it wipe away my tracks
I will fix the mistakes I have made and clean up after myself
I met a crab today in my backyard
I encountered an unpleasant surprise in my own familiar environment
I tried to smile but it was too hard
I attempted to put on a happy face, but I couldn't manage it
I watched that crab from way above
I observed the situation from a different perspective
From Beirut's mainland to the shores of love
Over a wide expanse, ranging between different emotional states
Her eyes are reeling wheeling feeling through my mind
The way this person looks at me is affecting me intensely
My name is Stanislas
I am a person named Stanislas
Your face is kind
You appear to be a gentle and compassionate person
I'm going to take you
Take you, take you, take you to my home
Of faded purple and ancient gold
I want to invite you to my residence, which is filled with memories and historical significance
I could trim the garden if I felt inclined
If I were motivated, I could indulge in mundane activities like gardening
Or I could buy a dog and lead the blind
I could also consider doing something more meaningful and helpful, like assisting others in need
Inside the kitchen or beside the fire
Regardless of where I am at home, my feelings are the same
It's much the same the flames don't get no higher
I am going through a stagnant, unchanging phase
Her fingers touched me stroked my eyes ran through my hair
This person's physical touch is affecting me deeply and sensually
Take me, take me, take me to your home
Of faded purple and ancient gold
I am pleading to be taken to that place filled with memories and historical value
My head is sore I've slept so bad
I am tired and feeling physically unwell
I dreamt a whore sat on my table mat
I had a distressing dream that disturbed me
Perhaps my dreams are good to know
My subconscious thoughts and feelings might have significance worth exploring
But I feel so bad and my head hurts so
The physical and emotional distress is taking its toll on me
Your lips are moving turning curling into smiles
I am attracted to the way you speak and express yourself
My name is Stanislas
My name is Stanislas
My name is Stanislas of that I'm sure
Now I am Stanislas of that I'm sure
I am very clear about my own identity and sense of self
Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.