Piazza New York Catcher
Ofln - Belle & Sebastian Lyrics


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Elope with me, Miss Private, and we'll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
Oh elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase

San Francisco's calling us, the Giants and Mets will play
Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?
We hung about the stadium, we've got no place to stay
We hung about the Tenderloin and tenderly you tell
About the saddest book you ever read, it always makes you cry
The statue's crying too and well he may

I love you
I've a drowning grip on your adoring face
I love you, my responsibility has found a place
Beside you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Come wave upon me from the family wider net absurd
"You'll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job"
Maybe, but not what she deserves

Elope with me, Miss Private, and we'll drink ourselves awake
We'll taste the coffee houses and award certificates
A privy seal to keep the feel of 1960 style
We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by
And at dusk when work is over we'll continue the debate
In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare

The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day
The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays
He goes into cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor
He knows the drink affects his speed, he's praying for a doorway
Back into the life he wants and the confession of the bench




Life outside the diamond is a wrench

I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend
I know it wouldn't come to love, my heroine pretend
A lady stepping from the song we love until this day
You'd settle for an epitaph like "Walk Away, Renee"
The sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like a flower
Meet you at the statue in an hour
Meet you at the statue in an hour

Overall Meaning

In the song "Piazza New York Catcher" by Belle & Sebastian, the lyrics depict a romantic and adventurous narrative between two individuals, referred to as Miss Private and the singer. The song opens with an invitation to "elope" and embark on a journey together, symbolizing a desire to escape societal norms and conventions. The reference to sailing around the world and being likened to characters Ferdinand and a wayward girl suggests a whimsical and free-spirited outlook on love.


As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to the setting of San Francisco, mentioning the baseball teams Giants and Mets playing, as well as Piazza, a catcher for the New York team. The question posed about the catcher's sexual orientation ("are you straight or are you gay?") adds a layer of intrigue and ambiguity to the relationship between the two characters. The mention of sharing intimate moments in various locations like the stadium and Tenderloin creates a sense of closeness and shared experiences.


The chorus of the song expresses deep affection and a sense of responsibility felt by the singer towards their beloved. The imagery of having a "drowning grip" on the partner's face conveys a mix of intense love and possibly possessiveness. There is a sense of acknowledging the weight of caring for someone deeply, portrayed through the line "my responsibility has found a place beside you."


The final verses of the song evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia, with the singer yearning for the presence of their beloved during mundane moments like weekends. The reference to the song "Walk Away, Renee" and the imagery of meeting at a statue suggest a bittersweet acknowledgment of unfulfilled desires and the passage of time. Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a complex and emotional relationship, with themes of love, longing, and the desire for connection woven throughout.


Line by Line Meaning

Elope with me, Miss Private, and we'll sail around the world
Let's escape together in secret and explore the world


I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
I want to be your protector and you my adventurous partner


How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many late nights of deep conversations can you handle in hotel rooms?


How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
How many nights of wandering during non-traditional holidays can you endure?


Oh elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze
Let's elope discreetly and create something magical together


A trail for the devil to erase
Leaving a mark that challenges the conventions of society


San Francisco's calling us, the Giants and Mets will play
The city of San Francisco beckons us, with sports teams like the Giants and Mets competing


Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?
Questioning the catcher's identity and orientation


We hung about the stadium, we've got no place to stay
We lingered around the stadium without a place to rest


We hung about the Tenderloin and tenderly you tell
We spent time in the Tenderloin district, where you shared your feelings gently


About the saddest book you ever read, it always makes you cry
Discussing the emotional impact of a poignant book that always moves you to tears


The statue's crying too and well he may
Even the statue seems to shed tears, understanding the sorrow


I love you
Expressing deep affection and admiration


I've a drowning grip on your adoring face
I hold onto your loving face tightly as if drowning in emotions


I love you, my responsibility has found a place
My love for you gives me a sense of purpose and duty


Beside you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Standing by your side and offering caution subtly


Come wave upon me from the family wider net absurd
Receiving criticism from the extended family, which seems unreasonable


"You'll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job"
"You will protect her, I have faith in you to do a superior job"


Maybe, but not what she deserves
I may try, but perhaps I am not what she truly deserves


Elope with me, Miss Private, and we'll drink ourselves awake
Let's escape together secretly and enjoy life to the fullest


We'll taste the coffee houses and award certificates
Exploring coffee shops and engaging in intellectual discussions


A privy seal to keep the feel of 1960 style
A symbol of authenticity to preserve the essence of the 1960s era


We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by
Observing and appreciating aesthetics while assisting others in need


And at dusk when work is over we'll continue the debate
After a day's work, we'll engage in meaningful conversations


In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare
In a simple, borrowed room that feels untouched and pure


The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day
The baseball catcher has a batting average of .318 and plays consistently


The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays
The pitcher prioritizes faith and takes breaks on religious occasions


He goes into cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor
He enters churches and prays humbly on the ground


He knows the drink affects his speed, he's praying for a doorway
Aware of the impact of alcohol on his performance, he seeks a way out through prayer


Back into the life he wants and the confession of the bench
Returning to the desired path and seeking redemption, both on and off the field


Life outside the diamond is a wrench
Life beyond the baseball field can be challenging and difficult


I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend
I long for your presence to make the boring weekend more enjoyable


I know it wouldn't come to love, my heroine pretend
I understand it may not lead to love, just a pretend heroine in a story


A lady stepping from the song we love until this day
A woman emerging from a beloved song that still resonates


You'd settle for an epitaph like "Walk Away, Renee"
You would be satisfied with a tribute like the song 'Walk Away, Renee'


The sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like a flower
The winter sun shining on the roof will entice you to come out like a blossoming flower


Meet you at the statue in an hour
Let's rendezvous at the statue in an hour




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Kildea, Christopher Geddes, Michael Cooke, Richard Colburn, Sarah Martin, Stephen Jackson, Stuart Murdoch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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