A core component of "Eloise" is the individual vs. the collective. Each verse elaborates further on it’s author and recipient, with the focus dial cranked up a notch each time, going from broad strokes covering the whole of humanity to Peter himself, a fully rounded individual who can only be truly understood by himself, with the character of Eloise bridging the two states.
"Eloise" contains three verses, each fashioned as a message from what can be presumed to be Peter himself to “Eloise”, the hypothetical woman of his desires who serves as the framework for Peter’s musings. McPoland is no stranger to using these seemingly mythical women to explore non-romantic ideas, and one might be fooled by his conventions into believing that "Eloise" is another of his lighthearted acoustic romps, no doubt reinforced via the warm major key chords and a backing choir of tenors. The lyrics, however, paint a much bleaker picture than what McPoland has done before, as if the music itself is in denial of the maelstrom circling about it.
Eloise
Peter McPoland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What has your country ever done for you?
Aha
Stop mourning, Eloise, what did they say?
Tomorrow, babe, is a brand new day
Aha
You've seen the fires in the west, oh, yes
Now, would you die for the mouths unfed?
Oh, Eloise
Good evening, Eloise, where did you go?
I hope to God, not to the Lord's big boat
Stop grieving, Eloise, the world is free
Stop reading up on who we used to be
Aha
I've seen you publish all the lies, poor girl
I've seen the rubbish that you cry over
How can you stomach all the dying world?
Oh, Eloise
Good night now, Eloise, I miss you lots
It's been so hard since the world forgot, oh-ho
I'll try now, Eloise, to change what's wrong
I'll try for you and I'll write your song
You saw the trouble in my eyes
You saw the rubble and you heard the cries
Oh, how I've crumbled, now my mind is gone
Oh, Eloise
The lyrics to Peter McPoland's "Eloise" paint a picture of a troubled world and a character named Eloise who is grappling with the injustices she sees around her. The song opens with the lines "Good morning, Eloise, what did they do? What has your country ever done for you?" which immediately sets a tone of disillusionment and frustration. Eloise is urged to stop mourning and stop reading up on the past, and instead focus on the present and a better future. The chorus asks the poignant question, "Now, would you die for the mouths unfed?" which speaks to the inequality and suffering present in the world.
The second verse delves deeper into Eloise's role in the world, accusing her of publishing lies and crying over rubbish. This harshness, however, is balanced with a sense of care and worry. The lyrics ask, "How can you stomach all the dying world?" which shows that, despite the criticism, there is an underlying compassion for Eloise and everything she represents. The song closes with a message of hope, as the singer promises to change what's wrong and write a song for Eloise, who has seen the "trouble in my eyes" and "the rubble and heard the cries".
Overall, "Eloise" presents a complex and nuanced portrait of a world that is flawed and broken, but one that should still be fought for and improved. Through the character of Eloise, the song speaks to the tireless fight for justice and progress, and the importance of never giving up on that fight.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, Eloise, what did they do?
Addressing Eloise, what has your government ever done for you?
What has your country ever done for you?
What has your government ever done for you?
Aha
Expression of surprise
Stop mourning, Eloise, what did they say?
Stop grieving and worry, Eloise, and think about the promise of tomorrow which is new
Tomorrow, babe, is a brand new day
Think about the promise of tomorrow which is new
You've seen the fires in the west, oh, yes
You have seen the actual fires in the west
You've seen the liars on the movie sets
Those who lie on movie sets instead of the actual fires
Now, would you die for the mouths unfed?
Would you offer your life for the starving mouths?
Oh, Eloise
Addressing Eloise
Good evening, Eloise, where did you go?
Where did you travel to, Eloise?
I hope to God, not to the Lord's big boat
I hope you didn't travel to the afterlife
Stop grieving, Eloise, the world is free
Stop crying and worrying, Eloise, as the world is free from worry
Stop reading up on who we used to be
Stop dwelling on the past and thinking about who we were
I've seen you publish all the lies, poor girl
I have seen you publish all the lies and falsehoods, poor girl
I've seen the rubbish that you cry over
I have seen the worthless things you cry about
How can you stomach all the dying world?
How can you stand and bear the death and suffering in the world?
Oh, Eloise
Addressing Eloise
Good night now, Eloise, I miss you lots
Saying bye to Eloise, I miss you a lot
It's been so hard since the world forgot, oh-ho
The world has been hard since they forgot
I'll try now, Eloise, to change what's wrong
I will now try to correct what's wrong
I'll try for you and I'll write your song
I will try for you and write a song for you
You saw the trouble in my eyes
You noticed the problems I'm facing and the pain in my eyes
You saw the rubble and you heard the cries
You saw the devastation and heard the cries of pain
Oh, how I've crumbled, now my mind is gone
I have fallen apart, now I have lost my mind
Oh, Eloise
Addressing Eloise
Contributed by Kylie N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-np2tz8lu3u
☆*:.｡. LYRICS .｡.:*☆
Good morning Eloise
What did they do?
What has your country ever done for you? Aha
Stop mourning Eloise what did they say?
Tomorrow babe is a brand new day aha
You've seen the fires in the west oh yes
You've seen the liars on the movie sets
Now would you die for the mouths unfed?
Woah-oh Eloise
Good evening Eloise where did you go?
I hope to God not to the Lord's big boat
Stop grieving Eloise, the world is free
Stop reading up on who we used to be
I've seen you publish all the lies poor girl
I've seen the rubbish that you cry over
How can you stomach all the dying world?
Oh-oh Eloise
Goodnight now Eloise I miss you lots
It's been so hard since the world forgot (oh-ho)
I'll try now Eloise to change what's wrong
I'll try for you and I'll write your song
You saw the trouble in my eyes
You saw the rubble and you heard the cries
Oh how I've crumbled now my mind is gone
O-o-o Eloise
@morin5216
I don't know who Eloise is but in my eyes she's right next to Jolene and Delilah
@petermcp
this comment made my night
@kendra3485
and heather, and ophelia
@beervandergulden
And Donna Lee?
@lalalalala198
It’s me and I’m not next to them lolll
@haileefoster47
YES YES YES PLAYING THIS ON REPEAT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE
@Opus566
SAME
@vee6526
IVE LISTEN TO THIS AN UNHEALTHY AMOUNT OF TIME CONSIDERING ITS BEEN OUT FOR LITERALLY 20MIN
@katekelly794
The passion in this man is gonna take him far!
@bree-lq7mz
The most serotonin boasting voice ive ever heard!!