Ola Podrida is the Austin band headed up by film composer David Wingo. The … Read Full Bio ↴Ola Podrida is the Austin band headed up by film composer David Wingo. The band formerly resided in Brooklyn, where after the release of their self-titled debut album they built up a loyal following and twice toured Europe in 2007, culminating in a performance at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, UK.

In 2009 Wingo moved back to his former home of Austin, TX and released the second Ola LP BELLY OF THE LION on Western Vinyl. Upon his return to Austin Wingo put together a new lineup featuring David Hobizal (drums), Colin Swietek (guitar) and Matt Clark (bass) and after touring Spain and the US in support of the album, the band took some time off before beginning to work on the songs that would comprise the third Ola Podrida album, GHOSTS GO BLIND. While the songs still retain the intimacy of Wingo's previous efforts, the new band gives them a much wider dynamic range, and with Wingo ditching the acoustic guitar for the most part, it's safe to say that Ola Podrida has moved past the indie-folk of the previous two albums into completely new territory with the new album.

Donkey
Ola Podrida Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We wanted to implement a plan to cover the extent
Of all the trials and tribulations we all underwent
Whispering in alleyways, secret lines we'd never say
To anyone who walks without a limp

Planning for a time in which everyone else made the switch
Deciding they would jump instead of run
But something lodged itself into the gears that brought us all to you

We pleaded to the night to take us home

And when the evening light is fading
We're still waiting for your wayward kiss
And in the belly of the lion
I am trying to remember what we missed

We collected rabbit's feet, we screwed the land and sowed the sea
We found the space between the borderlines
We yelled our names over the noise, we saved the girls and drowned the boys
We lay down and we waited for a sign

And when the evening light is fading
We're still waiting for you here on this road

And in the belly of the lion
I am trying to breathe through his nose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ola Podrida's song "Donkey" are filled with curious and enigmatic imagery which are open to interpretation. The first few lines present a sense of camaraderie among the singers, discussing plans to face the challenges and difficulties they have all previously experienced. They seem to share a bond, keeping secrets from others who don't understand their struggles. However, the mention of people walking without a limp implies that their struggles might be physical or emotional, and this secret knowledge is specific to them.

Later in the song, there is an apparent sense of yearning for something unattainable. The image of wanting "your wayward kiss" suggests a desire for intimacy, but it is unclear who this "you" is. It could refer to a person, or perhaps a larger idea or concept. The line "in the belly of the lion, I am trying to remember what we missed" is particularly enigmatic, as it is unclear what being in the belly of a lion could mean in the context of the song. It could symbolize being trapped or in a difficult situation, but the singer is trying to recall something important they have lost.

The last stanza is a bit more straightforward, with images that paint a picture of both destruction and salvation, as well as the acknowledgement of the ambiguity of existence. Screwing the land and sowing the sea invokes a sense of recklessness, while yelling their names over the noise suggests some sense of defiance. The mention of saving girls and drowning boys is particularly stark, implying a sense of sacrifice and the futility of trying to control everything. Finally, the line "I am trying to breathe through his nose" seems to convey a sense of being overwhelmed, and the struggle to continue to survive.

Overall, the lyrics to "Donkey" are filled with mystery and ambiguity, creating a sense of introspection and uncertainty that leaves much to ponder.

Line by Line Meaning

We wanted to implement a plan to cover the extent
We had a desire to devise a strategy to deal with all the issues and problems we came across

Of all the trials and tribulations we all underwent
Of all the difficulties and hardships we all went through

Whispering in alleyways, secret lines we'd never say
Speaking privately in secluded places, using words and phrases that we would never express openly

To anyone who walks without a limp
To those who appear to be strong and capable without any physical or emotional limitations

Planning for a time in which everyone else made the switch
Planning ahead for a point in time where others would switch to a new approach or idea

Deciding they would jump instead of run
Choosing to take sudden and extreme action rather than a steady and calculated approach

But something lodged itself into the gears that brought us all to you
Something unexpected disrupted the plans and progress that led us to our current situation

We pleaded to the night to take us home
We desperately asked for an escape from the challenging circumstances we found ourselves in

And when the evening light is fading
At the time of day when the sun sets and darkness approaches

We're still waiting for your wayward kiss
We are still hoping for a kiss from someone who is unpredictable and unreliable

And in the belly of the lion
In a dangerous and threatening situation

I am trying to remember what we missed
I am attempting to recall what we did not pay attention to or failed to do

We collected rabbit's feet, we screwed the land and sowed the sea
We relied on symbols of luck, we exploited the earth and its waters

We found the space between the borderlines
We discovered the area where different territories or ideas met and blended

We yelled our names over the noise, we saved the girls and drowned the boys
We tried to make ourselves heard amidst chaos, we protected those who were vulnerable and let go of those who were not

We lay down and we waited for a sign
We rested and hoped for a clear indication of what to do next

We're still waiting for you here on this road
We are still holding out hope for someone to arrive on this path we are on

And in the belly of the lion
In a situation of great danger and risk

I am trying to breathe through his nose
I am struggling to survive and endure the difficult circumstances I am in

Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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