Killing Moon
Pavement Lyrics


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Under blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
You must wait until
You give yourself to him

In starlit nights I saw you
So cruel you'll take me
Your lips a magic world
Your sky all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
You must wait until
You give yourself to him

Cucumber, cu-cu-cumber, ca-ca-ca-ca-cabbage
Cucumber, cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cabbage
He's a yo-yo man
Always up and down
So take him to the end of his temper

Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin




You must wait until
You give yourself to him

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pavement's song "Killing Moon" describe a lover who is eager to be held by their beloved, despite the restraining fate that seems to hold them apart. The song begins with the image of the "blue moon" that the singer saw their beloved under, and the feeling of being taken up in their arms. However, the singer realizes that they are past the point of no return, and that their fate is locked in. The "killing time" mentioned in the lyrics is a reference to the sense of death and finality that surrounds this moment.


The second verse of the song describes the impression of the beloved that the singer has during "starlit nights." The language used to describe their lips and the night sky creates a sense of pure magic and surrealism. However, the singer remains aware of the inevitability of their future together - the "killing moon" will come, and it will come soon.


The song is constructed around the fatalistic idea of fate, but the final lines of the song offer an interesting and somewhat unexpected twist. The image of a "yo-yo man" who is "always up and down" suggests a sense of instability and unpredictability. The final lines of the song, which repeat the refrain of "fate" and waiting "until you give yourself to him," seem to suggest that the singer is not entirely where they want to be, and that there is a sense of tension between their desire for stability and the reality of facing an uncertain future.


Line by Line Meaning

Under blue moon I saw you
I saw you during a rare occurrence of a blue moon


So soon you'll take me
You will take me very soon


Up in your arms
You will hold me tightly in your arms


Too late to beg you or cancel it
It's too late for me to beg you to reconsider or cancel our meeting


Though I know it must be the killing time
I know that this time between us will eventually lead to a painful ending


Unwillingly mine
I am reluctantly yours


In starlit nights I saw you
I saw you under the stars on clear nights


So cruel you'll take me
You will take me, despite the pain it may cause


Your lips a magic world
Your kisses are like magic


Your sky all hung with jewels
The sky around us is full of beauty


The killing moon
The time of our demise


Will come too soon
It will happen earlier than expected or desired


Cucumber, cu-cu-cumber, ca-ca-ca-ca-cabbage
Nonsensical lyrics that do not hold any significant meaning


Cucumber, cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cu-cabbage
Further nonsensical lyrics that do not hold any significant meaning


He's a yo-yo man
He is indecisive


Always up and down
He is constantly changing his mind


So take him to the end of his temper
Push him to his limits and see how far he will go


Fate
The force that determines the events of our lives


Up against your will
Even if you do not want it to happen


Through the thick and thin
Through all the good and bad times


You must wait until
You have no choice but to wait until the time is right


You give yourself to him
You must surrender to your fate or your desires




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Francisco

Under a blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine
Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him
In starlit nights I saw you
So cruelly you kissed me
Your lips a magic world
Your sky all hung with jewels
The killing moon
Will come too soon
Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him
Under a blue moon I saw you
So soon you'll take me
Up in your arms
Too late to beg you or cancel it
Though I know it must be the killing time
Unwillingly mine
Fate
Up against your will
Through the thick and thin
He will wait until
You give yourself to him



All comments from YouTube:

Terra Organic

Such a killer cover. If I didn't already love Pavement, I would love them now for covering this song.

Brum D

The Echo & The Bunnymen original was already a brilliant song, but it takes a lyrical genius to add 'cucumber cu-cucumber ca-ca-ca-ca-cabbage', and take this song to a completely new level. Yay for Pavement!

dazz

That's from another song from Echo and the Bunnymen, Thorn of Crowns

1 More Replies...

2Apiper

Pavement is so underrated

Alex Gehring

They aren't though. Slanted and Enchanted is often considered one of the most influential indie records.

2Apiper

thats true they are on a lot of top ten lists also. i just never heard them get much air time i guess.

2Apiper

That's a better way of putting it

Anais Romero

indeed! I discovered them too late, but still like their music a lot!

13 More Replies...

Brenda A

Me encanta esta versión, me trae muchos recuerdos de mi juventud

sagrado5

Es cierta la onda a Neil Young, muy buen cover, muchas gracias

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