Like Lions Do
Right Away Great Captain! Lyrics
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and you've been throwing history to hell
i've been writing almost everyday that i've been gone
do you still remember how my beard once felt
i've been eating seaweed from a whale named emily
she could swallow me, or help swallow my pride
we wade under the tow like diamonds
we wade under the tow like diamonds
i've been watching you look at a locket from your mother
or perhaps its from a girl you don't speak of
do you miss her when your sleeping
do you find it hard to eat when
everything reminds you of her stilly ghost
so to captains of my captain how can i become i captain
get the strength i need to pull this one around
i will wait under the tow like lions
i will wait under the tow like lions
like lions do.
oh my god, what am i doing here?
and i walk this ship of golden brown
you sit back covered up sounds
that don't come from my lips
you know they don't come from my lips
and you can try to break the silence
while you making love with violence
to my flesh and blood a traitor
oh my flesh and blood are traitors to you now
The lyrics of Right Away Great Captain!'s song, "Like Lions Do" are cryptic and open to varying interpretations. The song seems to be a confession or a letter from a sailor who has been away for seven weeks, describing his experiences and feelings. He mentions throwing up over a ledge, which could imply his struggle with seasickness or emotional turmoil. At the same time, he has been writing every day while gone and wonders if the recipient remembers how his beard once felt. It seems as though he is writing to a loved one, and the person has been throwing history to hell, possibly refusing to acknowledge their past together.
The sailor also brings up eating seaweed from a whale named Emily, perhaps a metaphor for finding comfort and sustenance in unusual and unexpected places. He recognizes that the whale could swallow him, which could symbolize his fear of being consumed by his emotions or the sea. The phrase "we wade under the tow like diamonds" is repeated twice in the chorus and could mean that they are moving forward with grace and determination despite the obstacles in their path.
The sailor's thoughts then move to the recipient, who is looking at a locket from their mother or a girl they don't speak of. He wonders if the person misses her when they sleep or finds it hard to eat when everything reminds them of her ghost. The sailor then turns to the captains of his captain, which could be a reference to achieving a sense of leadership and strength to overcome the challenges he faces.
The song ends with the sailor acknowledging his confusion and feeling like he doesn't belong. He mentions walking a ship of golden brown, but the person he's writing to is covered up by sounds that don't come from his lips. The last line seems to be a direct challenge, with the sailor proclaiming that his flesh and blood are traitors to the person who is now making love with violence.
Line by Line Meaning
i've been throwing up over this ledge for the last 7 weeks
I have been suffering and feeling nauseous for the past seven weeks due to the constant turmoil and upheaval in my life.
and you've been throwing history to hell
You have been disregarding and dismissing the past, and not giving it the importance it deserves.
i've been writing almost everyday that i've been gone
I have been using writing as a way to cope with the absence and distance from loved ones and familiar surroundings.
do you still remember how my beard once felt
I wonder if you still remember the physical sensations of our past, and if you still hold a connection to it.
i've been eating seaweed from a whale named emily
I have been surviving on unconventional and unusual nourishment, and finding comfort in unusual places.
she could swallow me, or help swallow my pride
I am faced with a choice that could either break me or give me the courage to let go of my ego.
we wade under the tow like diamonds
We are navigating through life's difficulties with grace and beauty, even though it is challenging.
i've been watching you look at a locket from your mother
I have been observing your pain and sadness while witnessing you hold on to a reminder of a loved one no longer with us.
or perhaps its from a girl you don't speak of
Or maybe you hold a keepsake from a person you cannot or will not talk about, adding to your hidden pain.
do you miss her when your sleeping
I wonder if you long for her presence in your subconscious, and if you are aware of the extent of your emotions.
do you find it hard to eat when everything reminds you of her stilly ghost
Do you struggle with moving on and finding pleasure in daily activities when everything reminds you of someone who has passed?
so to captains of my captain how can i become i captain
I am asking for guidance and advice from those who I look up to and who are more experienced, in order to gain the strength to face my own challenges.
get the strength i need to pull this one around
I need to find courage and resilience to overcome this difficult situation I am going through.
i will wait under the tow like lions
I will bravely face the challenges ahead and take on the role of a leader, not afraid of what may come.
like lions do.
Like the powerful and majestic creatures lions are known to be.
oh my god, what am i doing here?
I am questioning my own intentions and purpose in my current situation, feeling lost and uncertain about the path ahead.
and i walk this ship of golden brown
I am navigating through a journey that is both beautiful and delicate, like a ship made of gold.
you sit back covered up sounds
You are passive and unresponsive, keeping your thoughts and emotions hidden from me.
that don't come from my lips
You are withholding the truth and not expressing your real feelings to me.
and you can try to break the silence
You can attempt to end the uncomfortable silence and communicative barrier between us.
while you making love with violence
While you may show aggression and animosity towards me during intimate moments.
to my flesh and blood a traitor
You are betraying and hurting someone who is your own, your own blood and kin.
oh my flesh and blood are traitors to you now
I am realizing that my own family members have turned against me, and I am heartbroken by this betrayal.
Writer(s): John Andrew Hull Copyright: Good Things Bad People Music, Chrysalis Songs
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.