Saganaw
Pavement Lyrics


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Greaayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away.
Oh greaayayayayat, great seekers of violence go away.
Are you a cheater in love with you ___ish
I know too well the company you keep.
'Cause the proof's in the pudding,
You never should pray unless you believe.
Oh greaayayayayat, great seekers of violence go away.
'Cause you're the greayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away.

Well I would like to sag along to Saganaw
With a canvas duffel bag under my arm.
Cause the country songs blessed me
With influence and power and truth.





Oh..............ay...........

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pavement’s song “Saganaw” have a sense of defiance and warning against those who seek violence. The repetition of “greaayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away” emphasizes this message. The following lines “Are you a cheater in love with you ___ish/I know too well the company you keep” suggest that the subject is not trustworthy, and the singer is aware of this. The reference to “the proof’s in the pudding” carries a connotation of hidden motives and manipulation.


The chorus repeats the message of rejecting the violent and untrustworthy: “’Cause you’re the greayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away”. The second verse introduces the idea of escaping and finding solace in Saganaw, as the singer would “like to sag along to Saganaw/With a canvas duffel bag under my arm”. The reference to “the country songs” suggests that this place represents a simpler and more authentic lifestyle. The phrase “Oh…ay…” that ends the song feels like a trail-off, as if the singer has found temporary refuge in these thoughts but knows that the real world still awaits.


Line by Line Meaning

Greaayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away.
Pavement is telling people who seek violence to stay away.


Oh greaayayayayat, great seekers of violence go away.
Reiteration of the importance of avoiding violent people.


Are you a cheater in love with you ___ish
Pavement is questioning whether a person is a cheater, and hinting at a possible selfishness in their behavior.


I know too well the company you keep.
Pavement believes that a person's actions and behavior are influenced by the people they surround themselves with.


'Cause the proof's in the pudding,
This is an expression meaning that evidence is clear and irrefutable.


You never should pray unless you believe.
Pavement is saying that it's not genuine to pray if you don't truly believe in what you're praying for.


Oh greaayayayayat, great seekers of violence go away.
Reiteration that violent people are not welcome.


'Cause you're the greayayayayt, great seekers of violence go away.
Pavement refers again to violent people, and expresses how much they are not wanted.


Well I would like to sag along to Saganaw
Pavement expresses interest in going along with someone to Saginaw, Michigan.


With a canvas duffel bag under my arm.
Pavement is picturing themselves with a practical travel bag, ready to go on an adventure.


Cause the country songs blessed me
Pavement feels blessed or grateful for the influence of country music on them.


With influence and power and truth.
Pavement believes that country music has enriched their life with importance and meaning.


Oh..............ay...........
This is an expression that suggests something is left unsaid or unfinished.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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