Polvo is an influential math rock band of the 1990s from Chapel Hill, North… Read Full Bio ↴Polvo is an influential math rock band of the 1990s from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. The band was fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Eddie Watkins played drums, and Steve Popson played bass guitar. The band reformed in 2008 with Brian Quast assuming drum duties. Their sound is defined by complex and dissonant guitar harmonies and driving rhythm, complementing cryptic, often surrealist lyrics. Their music was considered unpredictable and angular and sometimes the guitarists were accused of failing to play with correctly tuned guitars. Polvo's songs and artwork frequently featured Asian/"exotic" themes and references. The band's name means "dust" in Spanish, or "Octopus" in Portuguese.

Fast Canoe
Polvo Lyrics

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If you're on a journey cause you had to work things out
Take your time to get it right
And I hope you erase all your doubt

If you had a notion
You're gonna sail cross the ocean
In a boat built for one
Keep dry and stay near the sun

One thing I remember is
You never did a bad thing to me
I'll build a boat for two and I'll row it for you

I'm waiting for a postcard that you won't write
Just hoping there's a chance that you might

I'm clinging to a memory that we might share
Just trying to send a thought through the air

If you have a message
You want me to pass it along
Find a way to get it through
And I promise I'll whisper for you

But if you're undercover
You'd better leave your briefcase behind
You won't need a lock or a key to keep what you find

If you get in trouble and you need to make your escape
I'll carve a fast canoe and I'll send it to you

I'm waiting for a postcard that you won't write
Just hoping there's a chance that you might

I'm clinging to a memory that we might share
Just trying to send a thought through the air

I'm looking for a metaphor that you might like
But I can't find the one that you deserve to hear

Overall Meaning

"Fast Canoe" by Polvo is a song that conveys a message about separation and longing for someone who has gone on a journey to work things out. The song begins by urging the person to take their time and get their thoughts and issues sorted out. The singer expresses hope that the person will find clarity and erase any doubts they may have about their journey. The following stanza encourages the person to keep sailing if they have already decided to embark upon a journey. The singer advises that they must ensure they remain safe and close to the light, as they navigate the ocean in a boat meant for one. The third stanza reveals the singer's fondness for the person and the fact that they have not wronged one another. The singer promises to build a boat for two and offer to row it for the person.

The chorus echoes the longing and yearning for the person that the singer feels. They express the hope of receiving a postcard from the person that they know will not come, but they continue to hold on to the possibility in the last few lines of each chorus.

The fourth stanza reassures the person that they can trust the singer with any message they may have and that they will find a way to whisper it. The last three stanzas offer advice and promises of aid if the person gets into trouble and needs to escape. The final stanza talks about the singer's search for a metaphor that the person will appreciate and hear.

The song comes off as a message of support and encouragement to someone who is going through a tough time. The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer has a deep connection with the person and that they will remain supportive of them regardless of the distance between them.

Line by Line Meaning

If you're on a journey cause you had to work things out
If you're traveling because you need to sort out some things in your life

Take your time to get it right
Don't rush through the journey; take as long as you need to

And I hope you erase all your doubt
I hope that during this journey, you are able to find clarity and eliminate any doubts you may have had.

If you had a notion
If you had an idea or plan

You're gonna sail cross the ocean
You plan to journey across the ocean

In a boat built for one
In a single-person boat

Keep dry and stay near the sun
Stay dry and keep close to the sun's warmth and light for guidance.

One thing I remember is
One thing I know for sure is

You never did a bad thing to me
You were never unkind or hurtful to me

I'll build a boat for two and I'll row it for you
I want to build something together with you and stand by your side, even if it's a difficult journey.

I'm waiting for a postcard that you won't write
I'm waiting for a message from you that I know I'll never receive

Just hoping there's a chance that you might
Despite knowing it's unlikely, I still have hope that you'll reach out to me

I'm clinging to a memory that we might share
I'm holding on to the hope that we can create a new memory together

Just trying to send a thought through the air
I'm attempting to communicate with you in any way I can

If you have a message
If you have something to tell me

You want me to pass it along
You want me to deliver the message on your behalf

Find a way to get it through
Figure out how to get the message to me

And I promise I'll whisper for you
I promise to handle your message with discretion and care, and pass it on quietly.

But if you're undercover
If you're in disguise or trying to remain hidden

You'd better leave your briefcase behind
You should refrain from bringing anything that might give away your identity or status

You won't need a lock or a key to keep what you find
You won't need to protect any valuables or secrets, as you won't keep them.

If you get in trouble and you need to make your escape
If you find yourself in danger and need to flee

I'll carve a fast canoe and I'll send it to you
I will do whatever it takes to help you escape, even if that means carving a canoe and sending it your way.

I'm looking for a metaphor that you might like
I'm searching for a creative way to express something in a way that might resonate with you.

But I can't find the one that you deserve to hear
I haven't found the right words yet to convey exactly what I want to say.

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

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