Beggar's Bowl
Polvo Lyrics
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Day tripping at a quarter to noon
The bus stops on the mountaintop
And the villagers are playing a traditional tune
Ancient goddess in the form of a truck
She got stuck picking up a liter
The campaign to take to a simpler time
If that'll heal your mind
You gotta pay for a factory tour
Lunch money for a week and a half
It's hard work and the experience is pure
And the uniforms are good for a laugh
A beggar's bowl ???
Now it's a symbol and we're back on time
??? hit you with my magazine
If you let me in your time machine
Another week and it's time to fly
You're back home in the blink of an eye
You day drinking at the chemical tank
In your habitat, if you can call it that
Another year and then you're back again
You're just a freak till you be with your friends
The campaign to take you to a simpler time
If that'll heal your mind
Originally copied from MetroLyrics.com
The song "Beggar's Bowl" by Polvo is a critique on modern society's obsession with material possessions and consumerism. The opening lines "Everybody got a right to go, Day tripping at a quarter to noon" suggest that despite our right to leisure time, we often spend it mindlessly consuming products. The bus trip to the mountaintop represents a temporary escape from this reality, however, the lyrics soon reveal that even here, consumerism is present with the "campaign to take to a simpler time". The lyrics suggest that this campaign is a facade and that real simplicity cannot be bought, only experienced by shedding material possessions.
The lyrics also highlight the hypocrisy of those who promote consumerism. The line "You gotta pay for a factory tour, Lunch money for a week and a half" suggests that even experiences like factory tours, which are marketed as "authentic, " require a lot of money to simulate their simplicity. This is also exemplified by the "uniforms" which are "good for a laugh". The beggar's bowl referenced in the lyrics is a symbol of true simplicity and represents the idea that true happiness and satisfaction cannot be obtained by accumulating wealth or possessions, but rather by adopting a more minimalistic lifestyle. In the end, the song suggests that true fulfillment can be achieved by reconnecting with nature and community, and embracing simplicity.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody got a right to go
Everyone has the right to explore the world and travel.
Day tripping at a quarter to noon
Taking a day trip or going exploring during the day.
The bus stops on the mountaintop
The bus makes a stop at the top of the mountain.
And the villagers are playing a traditional tune
The local villagers are playing music traditional to their culture.
Ancient goddess in the form of a truck
Comparing a truck to an ancient goddess, perhaps symbolizing its strength or power.
She got stuck picking up a liter
The truck got stuck picking up only one liter, implying it should be capable of more.
The campaign to take to a simpler time
Encouraging people to revert back to a simpler time, perhaps out of nostalgia or to escape the complexity of modern life.
If that'll heal your mind
If living a simpler life will help ease your stress or mental struggles.
You gotta pay for a factory tour
Paying for a tour of a factory or production facility.
Lunch money for a week and a half
The cost of the factory tour is enough to cover lunch for over a week.
It's hard work and the experience is pure
The factory tour may be physically demanding, but the experience is genuine and unadulterated.
And the uniforms are good for a laugh
The company uniforms may be comedic or amusing.
A beggar's bowl ???
The meaning of this line is unclear and open to interpretation.
Now it's a symbol and we're back on time
The phrase 'beggar's bowl' has become symbolic and is reminiscent of an earlier time period.
??? hit you with my magazine
The meaning of this line is unclear and open to interpretation.
If you let me in your time machine
Asking to travel through time together, perhaps to revisit the past or experience a simpler time.
Another week and it's time to fly
After spending a week exploring, it's time to move on and travel again.
You're back home in the blink of an eye
Traveling is quick and can feel like returning home instantly.
You day drinking at the chemical tank
Drinking during the day near a container holding chemicals.
In your habitat, if you can call it that
Referring to a living situation that may not feel like a true home or living space.
Another year and then you're back again
After a year, it's time to start planning and saving for another travel adventure.
You're just a freak till you be with your friends
Feeling out of place until reunited with like-minded friends who share the same love for travel and exploration.
The campaign to take you to a simpler time
Encouraging people to revisit a simpler time period to escape the stresses of modern life.
If that'll heal your mind
Hoping that by reverting back to a simpler time, it will have a positive impact on one's mental wellbeing.
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
lelechaplin
Polvo at their BEST !!!! Perfect song !
Tara Tavi
I could listen to Polvo til the end of time
Jon Reed
+Tara Tavi Yes!!! even this dad rock Bon Jovi shit
gimme more
StationDead96
God damn this song is fucking good. That delay on the opening chord is incredible.
RWL de Bruijn
The sound.... Oh if only my band could come to close to this production.
Adam Rawlings
RWL de Bruijn Wish I was in a band, and we sound remotely this good!
supercooldude
Polvo's best album is In Prism. Every track just rules my mind, body, and soul.
Adam Rawlings
supercooldude Agreed
StrongHeartLives
I saw them perform Saturday at Fitzgeralds in Houston...Amazing!! -- they were off my radar back in the 90's - don't know why. Did i say they were amazing??
TheEvolvingManwIdea
Thank you guys. You are one of the only bands worth listening to.