The pains were coming in regular intervals and she knew that if she didn't start moving now, her legs might collapse under her before she could reach the ice cave. The ceremonial band was already playing birth music and the other women sang in an attempt to comfort her. But as her steps carried her toward the ice cave and the ceremonial band's music became lost in the wind. the true loneliness of her situation loomed even larger in her mind. The gaping mouth of the ice cave eagerly awaited. And although she felt fear, she knew the cave also offered relief from her quickening pains, for this journey had been made many times before.
Her pace remained unchanged as she entered the cave, which now enlarged before her and engulfed her in the sweet music of slowly moving ice vibrating within its own cristaline formations. Deeper into the cave she went. The men were playing the kooa and chanting for the birth of a male.
Finally she reached the furthest chamber where stood the Angakok. Delivery began immediately as the magic man filled the room with protective prayers. The child was born. The Eskimo woman reached forth with her hand, gently across the already frozen crust on the infant's belly to feel the child's sex; the other women came into the chamber singing the song of life and bore the infant away.
IF A GOOD HUNTER DIES, THE OTHER MEN CUT HIM UP AND RUB THE PIECES ON THEIR SPEARHEADS TO IMPROVE THEIR AIM.
BATHING IS DONE IN URINE.
ESKIMOS EAT ONLY MEAT, INCLUDING ROTTEN WALRUS, WHICH IS SAID TO TASTE LIKE CHEESE.
Birth
Residents Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The pains were coming in regular intervals and she knew that if she didn'tstart moving now, her legs might collapse under her before she could reach the ice cave. The ceremonial band was already playing birth music and the other women sang in an attempt to comfort her. But as her steps carried her toward the ice cave and the ceremonial band's music became lost in the wind. the true lonliness of her situation loomed even larger in her mind. The gaping mouth of the ice cave eagerly awaited. And although she felt fear, she knew the cave also offered relief from her quickening pains, for this journey had been made many times before.
Her pace remained unchanged as she entered the cave, which now enlargedbefore her and engulfed her in the sweet music of slowly moving ice vibrating within its own cristaline formations. Deeper into the cave she went. The men were playing the kooa and chanting for the birth of a male.
Finally she reached the furthest chamber where stood the Angakok. Deliverybegan immediately as the magic man filled the room with protective prayers. The child was born. The Eskimo woman reached forth with her hand, gently across the already frozen crust on the infant's belly to feel the child's sex; the other women came into the chamber singing the song of life and bore the infant away.
IF A GOOD HUNTER DIES, THE OTHER MEN CUT HIM UP AND RUB THEPIECES ON THEIR SPEARHEADS TO IMPROVE THEIR AIM.
BATHING IS DONE IN URINE.
ESKIMOS EAT ONLY MEAT, INCLUDING ROTTEN WALRUS, WHICH IS SAID TOTASTE LIKE CHEESE.
The Residents' song "Birth" tells a story of an Eskimo woman giving birth to a male child in her tribe. The song reflects on the social condition of the Eskimo community where the hunter is the most important person, and since there are no women hunters, female infants are ritually killed. The song describes the difficulties of childbirth and the importance of male offspring in the Eskimo culture. It also portrays the fear, desperation, and loneliness the woman experiences during the delivery, as she heads towards the ice cave where the ceremonial band plays birth music, and other women sing in an attempt to comfort her.
The woman's journey to the ice cave signifies the tradition and cultural significance of giving birth, where the chambers of the ice cave metaphorically represent the stages of delivery. The midwives and the magic man (Angakok) assist the woman during the childbirth, and the magic man chants for the birth of a male child. The Eskimo woman uncovers the sex of her child, and other women come into the chamber singing the song of life, signifying the importance of perpetuating the tribe's existence through reproduction.
Line by Line Meaning
The pains were coming in regular intervals and she knew that if she didn't start moving now, her legs might collapse under her before she could reach the ice cave.
The singer was experiencing contractions at a consistent frequency and realized that she needed to start moving towards the ice cave in order to avoid collapsing before reaching it.
The ceremonial band was already playing birth music and the other women sang in an attempt to comfort her.
In an effort to console the singer, the other women sang traditional songs and the ceremonial band began playing music specifically meant for the birth of a child.
But as her steps carried her toward the ice cave and the ceremonial band's music became lost in the wind, the true loneliness of her situation loomed even larger in her mind.
As the singer continued towards the ice cave, the music began to fade away and she was left alone with her thoughts, amplifying the feeling of being isolated and lonely.
The gaping mouth of the ice cave eagerly awaited. And although she felt fear, she knew the cave also offered relief from her quickening pains, for this journey had been made many times before.
Despite feeling afraid, the artist knew that the ice cave would provide relief from the increasing pain of childbirth, as many women had made this journey before her.
Her pace remained unchanged as she entered the cave, which now enlarged before her and engulfed her in the sweet music of slowly moving ice vibrating within its own crystalline formations.
The artist maintained her pace as she entered the ice cave, which expanded before her and filled her with the sound of slowly shifting ice, echoing throughout the cave.
Deeper into the cave she went. The men were playing the kooa and chanting for the birth of a male.
As the singer ventured farther into the cave, she could hear the men playing music with the kooa and chanting in hopes of a male birth.
Finally she reached the furthest chamber where stood the Angakok. Delivery began immediately as the magic man filled the room with protective prayers.
After making her way to the last chamber of the ice cave, the Angakok was waiting there and immediately began delivering the baby, filling the room with protective prayers.
The child was born. The Eskimo woman reached forth with her hand, gently across the already frozen crust on the infant's belly to feel the child's sex; the other women came into the chamber singing the song of life and bore the infant away.
Once the baby was born, the artist gently touched the child's belly to determine its sex. The other women then entered the chamber and carried the infant away while singing the song of life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HARDY WINFRED FOX, HOMER FLYNN, HOMER III FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@circuitboardheart
one of the most fascinating conceprs for an album ive seen in a while
@BaldJean
"Eskimo" is an extremely weird album, but then it is an album by The Residents; so it's no surprise it is weird. In my opinion this album is an absolute masterpiece.
@mask4ad
a masterpiece
@palteonato
thanks
@alfredodiazbaez8524
This make me feel so strange
@gypsyjhoni
Still haven’t ever seen any more of their mugs,perhaps the doc will expose them,probably not,aye?
@puggilove
Horrible.
@BrianSmith-vl7xu
in a good way
@superleekegshoondinovevo6998
No your horiblle!!!!!! !! $