Words Are Dead
Obel Agnes Lyrics
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'Cause the words are dead,
Follow in the blindness
On the arrow head
'Cause the words are dead
And you know it
Yeah the words are dead
Lower them down
Didn't know if you could
Deny the dead,
Leaving them in silence
On their moldy bed
Oh I am numb
And over
Their kingdom come
Lower me down
They are dead, they are dead
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't you cry for me
Lower them down in the ground
Lower them down in the ground
The lyrics of Obel Agnes’s song Words Are Dead are metaphorically rich and evocative. The song talks about the limitations of language in capturing emotions and experiences. The titular phrase ‘words are dead’ is repeated throughout the song and is like a refrain, underscoring the central message of the song.
The opening lines “I wanna buy you roses/'Cause the words are dead” suggest that the singer finds words insufficient to express their feelings of love and admiration towards someone. The roses, in a way, serve as a substitute for words- they are a symbolic gesture of love and affection that words seem unable to capture. The phrase “Follow in the blindness/On the arrowhead” evoke not only vulnerability but also a sense of trust- the singer is willing to surrender to love even though it is ‘blind’ and the future uncertain.
The second stanza alternates between the images of silence and numbness. The lines “Leaving them in silence/On their moldy bed” conjure up an image of the dead being interred in a grave- but the moldy bed is a metaphor for the limitations of language in representing death. The singer is “numb” and “over”- the death of the others does not affect them as much since they are aware of the inadequacy of words in capturing the meaning of death.
Overall, the song Words Are Dead is a powerful commentary on the inadequacy of language in expressing emotions and experiences. It is a testament to the fact that sometimes silence and symbolism can convey more than words ever could.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna buy you roses
I want to show you my love and appreciation with a typical romantic gesture.
'Cause the words are dead
Words have lost their meaning and significance in our interactions.
Follow in the blindness, on the arrow head
We blindly follow the norms of society and traditions, without questioning why we do so- just like arrows don't have a choice where to go.
'Cause the words are dead and you know it
We both understand that words have become meaningless and we need to find new ways to express ourselves.
Lower them down
We need to let go of the past and start anew.
Didn't know if you could deny the dead
There is no point in denying something that doesn't exist anymore.
Leaving them in silence on their moldy bed
We should let the past rest in peace and stop reminding ourselves of what once was.
Oh I am numb and over, their kingdom come
I have moved on from the past and the memories- they no longer have power over me.
They are dead, they are dead
The past and the memories associated with it have lost their significance and power over us.
Oh, don't cry for me, oh, don't cry for me, oh, don't cry for me, oh, don't you cry for me
Don't hold on to the past or the memories associated with it- it's time to move on and start anew.
Lower them down in the ground
We need to bury the past and let it rest in peace.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGNES CAROLINE THAARUP OBEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@figliadisam
LYRICS
I wanna buy you roses
'Cause the words are dead,
Follow in the blindness
On the arrow head
'Cause the words are dead
And you know it
Yeah the words are dead
Lower them down
Didn't know if you could
Deny the dead,
Leaving them in silence
On their moldy bed
Oh I am numb
And over
Their kingdom come
Lower me down
They are dead, they are dead
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't you cry for me
Lower them down in the ground
Lower them down in the ground
@mardybum4562
Les mots sont morts
Je veux t'acheter des roses
Parce que les mots sont morts,
Suis dans l'aveuglement
Sur la pointe de la flèche
Parce que les mots sont morts
Et tu le sais
Ouais, les mots sont morts
Abaisse-les
Je savais pas si tu pouvais
Refuser d'accepter les morts
Les laisser dans le silence
Sur leur lit moisi
Oh je suis engourdie
Et par dessus
Leur royaume arrive
Abaisse-moi
Ils sont morts, ils sont morts
Oh, ne pleure pas pour moi,
Oh, ne pleure pas pour moi,
Oh, ne pleure pas pour moi,
Oh, surtout, ne pleure pas pour moi,
Pose-les sur le sol
Pose-les sur le sol
@adann2333
This is the lyrics :
I wanna buy you roses
'Cause the words are dead,
Follow in the blindness
On the arrow head
'Cause the words are dead
And you know it
Yeah the words are dead
Lower them down
Didn't know if you could
Deny the dead,
Leaving them in silence
On their moldy bed
Oh I am numb
And over
Their kingdom come
Lower me down
They are dead, they are dead
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't cry for me,
Oh, don't you cry for me
Lower them down in the ground
Lower them down in the ground
@martindavid1897
This is what I expect from a true artist - to have a unique style.
@scottt6267
I’ve read several interpretations of the lyrics and my favorite one is this:
It depicts coming out of the early stages of a relationship- the infatuation, how we’re blinded by love and “Cupid’s arrow.” The narrator wants roses to sum up the feeling that the words can no longer express, aka, actions speak louder than words and the words no longer hold the meaning they once did. “Lower them down into the ground” -let this version of ourselves die. “I am numb. All over their kingdom come.” Love was an illusion and did not match reality. This person you were with is no longer as affectionate and loving as they once were.
But the narrator does not want to be pitied because of this. For it is natural to come apart from love. “Lower me down.” The narrator has accepted a death of this version of themselves. We all mourn love that doesn’t pan out to what we fantasize it to be.
My ex played this song while writing me a love letter last year. He broke up with me a few months later. I don’t think he realized the lyrics depicted a dying relationship, but I always found that to be funny.
@justincombs5311
Agnes' music is magical- there are times that I play her nonstop for days. Her music fills the air and the space in which it's played with peace, leaving room for nothing else.
@muffin_senpai5544
Beautifully said
@marilynmonhoe5164
This song specifically reached a piece of me that I've been yearning to discover once again. To be imprisoned by my own thoughts constantly, it genuinely is an overwhelming emotion to feel my spirit become invigorated, to sense my mind move out of the calignous numb channel it’s been stuck in for a while. Wow I am so eternally grateful to just be able to experience one of life's blessings of hearing, but to actually listen to such moving music is breathtaking. Much obliged to you Agnes for reigniting the warmth and light in me with your music, you truly deserve everlasting success and happiness.
@reyavispa1472
Your comment has been in the back of my mind for a moment now, i just wanted to say 'thank you' for expressing your experience in words when i couldn't find mine's
@marilynmonhoe5164
@Rey Avispa <3
@ritabenzakour9748
Thank you so much, needed to read something like this ❤
@benedettobruno1669
Listening to the words "Oh Don't cry for me" strikes a chord inside of me everytime and when at 2:32 she switches to "Oh don't you cry for me" I get shivers all over my body. Always.
@zeck56
Mds !! Essa mulher é perfeita demais. O seu vocal é tão profundo, fico até arrepiado.