Memphis Skyline
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under the Mississippi
But still I've come to sing for him
So southern furies
Prepare to walk for my harp
I have strung, and I will leave with him
Relax the cogs of rhyme
Over the Memphis sky
Under the Memphis skyline
always hated him for the way he looked
In the gaslight of the morning
Then came hallelujah sounding like Ophelia
for me in my room living
So kiss me, my darling stay with me till morning
Turn back and you will stay
Under the Memphis Skyline
In "Memphis Skyline," Rufus Wainwright conveys a complex expression of emotion through a unique blend of poetic imagery and thoughtful exploration of his personal experience. The opening lines, "Never thought of Hades/Under the Mississippi/But still I've come to sing for him," allude to the mythological underworld and set the scene for a mystical journey down the famous American river. The line "So southern furies/Prepare to walk for my harp" suggests a kind of soulful reckoning, as Wainwright prepares to confront the demons of his past and present through his art. The verse continues with an air of resignation, as he imagines himself departing with Hades, a metaphorical journey beyond the mortal realm.
As the song progresses, Wainwright employs a series of vivid images to convey a deep sense of yearning and longing. The lines "Always hated him for the way he looked/In the gaslight of the morning" hint at a failed romance, while the reference to Ophelia suggests a sense of isolation and despair. The final lines of the song, "So kiss me, my darling stay with me till morning/Turn back and you will stay/Under the Memphis Skyline," offer a glimmer of hope, as Wainwright invites his lover to share in his journey and find solace in the magic of the city that has captured his heart.
Overall, "Memphis Skyline" is a powerful reflection on the complexities of love, loss, and the creative process. Through a carefully crafted series of images, Wainwright conveys a deep emotional resonance that is sure to resonate with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought of Hades
I never imagined singing for the god of the underworld, but here I am.
Under the Mississippi
In the South, near the river, where blues music originated.
But still I've come to sing for him
Despite my initial hesitation, I have decided to perform for this deity.
So southern furies
The spirits of the South, particularly female deities representing passion and anger.
Prepare to walk for my harp
Get ready to listen to my music and be moved by it.
I have strung, and I will leave with him
I have prepared my instrument and will depart with Hades after my performance.
Relax the cogs of rhyme
Let the natural flow of music take over, instead of forcing it.
Over the Memphis sky
During this night in Memphis, I will let my music soar through the sky.
Turn back the wheels of time
I want to revisit a past time through my music, and let it transport me.
Under the Memphis skyline
In this city as the night falls, everything is dimly lit and full of bluesy magic.
always hated him for the way he looked
Referring to a lover who was attractive but mistreated him in the past.
In the gaslight of the morning
Thinking about this person in the early hours of the day, feeling somber and melancholic.
Then came hallelujah sounding like Ophelia
Suddenly, a moment of ecstasy as if hearing a jubilant choir, or a woman in despair, like the character in Hamlet.
for me in my room living
This experience happening exclusively to me, with the feeling of being trapped in isolation.
So kiss me, my darling stay with me till morning
Longing for intimacy and company from someone who cares deeply about him.
Turn back and you will stay
Addressed to this lover, imploring them to not leave him and come back to him in Memphis.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind