Napoleon Sheds His Skin
Red Rider Lyrics

The streets are covered in chalk
The roads are filled with white marks, signaling that something has taken place or someone wants to communicate

The shops are boarded up
The stores are closed and securely locked, perhaps to avoid any violence or looting

The bodies are carried back down from the square
People are being taken away from the public square or street, most likely due to an act of violence or conflict that has occurred

He begins to wonder
He questions himself, his surroundings, and his actions in response to the circumstances he finds himself in

If it always was this hot
He contemplates whether it has always been this heated and uncomfortable

Or is it just the clothes
He considers whether the clothes he wears are the reason why he feels too hot and suffocated

That he now wears
The clothes he is presently wearing may not be the most suitable for his situation

Napoleon sheds his skin
The character named Napoleon feels the urge to detach from his previous identity and start anew

In the summer when the sun is high
It becomes the perfect time for a rebirth or reinvention, as summer signifies life and warmth

He never knew when to quit
Napoleon's personality stems from his inability to discern when to stop or surrender

When to stop
He barely knows how to halt himself before anything goes wrong because he is always driven by ambition and a sense of purpose

Or when to say die
He does not know when it is time to accept defeat or move on to something else

Pick the bones, get a tan
He could either use his opportunities to benefit himself or wander aimlessly, hoping to find something new

Or wander underground
He has the option of exploring uncharted territories or staying hidden from others

She would not have left him anyway
Perhaps, there is someone he could hold on to no matter how much his circumstances change

Wait by the sea, wait in the sun
He can patiently await his chance to take action, either through exposure to the elements or by staying close to the water

As if the time stood still
The moment feels like it has been suspended, it feels longer than it really is

Did he get involved n whichever side that paid
He may have contributed to the conflict, most likely on the side that provided him with more privileges or protection

Oh, when time stands still behind the distant gates
In the background or out of the spotlight, time may delineate differently than it would in the center of the conflict

And time moves on outside in the sun
Time moves forward, and life continues as usual outside the periphery of the conflict where the sun radiates its warmth

Then he wonders which side he's really on
He begins to question and doubt his association and loyalty to particular groups or causes

Then he doesn't care, It's so grey in there
He eventually loses interest in taking sides because both are plagued with indifference, apathy or corruption

He just wants to get back to her
He yearns to reconnect with someone he cares about, and who serves as his lifeline

She waits for him by the wharf
Someone dear to him patiently awaits his return at a particular locale

By the sea where they used to go
A location that means something special to both of them, a place that carries fond memories of their relationship

And she sings a song that they'd sing
A song that resonates deeply with their relationship and brings back strong emotions and memories

Then she waits for the echo
She eagerly awaits a response or reaction to the melody, anticipating his arrival

I've got to get out of here
The character is expressing a strong desire to leave his current situation

Can she save me
He is turning to someone he cares about who could potentially help him escape his present circumstances

Can you hear me
He might be addressing someone who's too far away or someone who's able to hear him but not to respond