Géthsémané
Richard Thompson Lyrics

Among the headstones you played as boys
As children, you played among the graves and mausoleums, treating the cemetery as if it were a giant playground.

Crypts and tombs like a roomful of toys
The crypts and tombs were like a collection of toys, with each one offering a unique and eerie space to play.

Just up the river from the smoke and the noise
The cemetery was located near the river, but it was still close enough to the city to hear the constant smoke and noise of the industrial landscape.

And there’s war-whoops and secret signs in the trees
As you explored the area, you discovered that the trees were marked with secret symbols and heard the echoes of childhood games involving war cries and battle calls.

Estuary smells coming up on the breeze
The strong smell of the estuary, a mix of saltwater and marshy vegetation, drifted over to the cemetery on the wind.

O perfect endless days like these
You were free to play all day, with no obligations or responsibilities getting in the way. Life seemed perfect and endless.

O Gethsemane
This phrase is a repeated refrain, which serves as a reminder of the place where you spent your childhood and the carefree days you enjoyed there.

Sailboat on the Cadie, pushbike on the quay
As you grew older, you started to explore more, using sailboats and bikes to travel along the river and the docks.

In your eyes there’s fire, in your hand destiny
You had a sense of purpose and passion burning inside, with the feeling that you were meant to do something great with your life.

‘O be something, be something fine!’
This phrase is a repeated call to action, urging you to make the most of your life and achieve greatness in whatever you do.

Just down the river, into the noise and the smoke
As you left Gethsemane and entered the city, the peaceful atmosphere gave way to the chaotic noise and smoke of urban life.

Being daring with the staring, uncaring folk
You were unafraid to be yourself, even if it meant standing out or being judged by others.

Who laugh with you, laugh at you, you’ll never get the joke
Your sense of humor and outlook on life were different from most people's, which led to both shared laughter and alienation.

And they broke your spirit there in the marines
You joined the marines, expecting to find purpose and fulfillment, but instead felt defeated and disheartened by the experience.

Flushed your head down in the latrines
You were subjected to cruel and humiliating treatment, as if your individuality and dignity meant nothing to the higher-ups.

Frozen in your sacrement, derailed in your teens
Your dreams and aspirations were put on hold, and you lost your sense of direction and purpose during these formative years.

Never saw the enemy
You were sent to war, but never had the chance to engage in combat, only experiencing the horrors of life on the front lines.

Now you’ve got your own boys, hell bent for leather
As a father, you have witnessed your own children's reckless behavior and drive to experience life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks.

Dead before they’re 18, or bitter old men forever
You fear that your sons will meet an untimely end or become jaded and miserable, just as you have been at times.

They never saw the halo moon rise over the river
Your children have not experienced the same beauty and wonder that you did during your childhood in Gethsemane.

Of Gethsemane
This phrase is a repeated refrain, which serves as a reminder of the place where you spent your childhood and the carefree days you enjoyed there.

Now there’s a pain in your head puts lead in your shoes
You are burdened by constant physical pain that saps your energy and enthusiasm for life.

Better get it seen to, it’s going to be bad news
You know that ignoring your health issues will only make things worse and that seeking medical attention is essential.

How did the perfect world get so confused
You lament the loss of the blissful and carefree world of your youth and wonder how things got so complicated and difficult.

Who sucked out the freedom, days without end
You feel that your current situation is limiting and oppressive, imposing too many constraints and demands on your life.

Under the weight of it all you must bend
You are struggling to cope with the burdens and responsibilities of adulthood, feeling like you are constantly under pressure.

‘O be something, be something fine!’
This phrase is a repeated call to action, urging you to make the most of your life and achieve greatness in whatever you do.