PLAGUE
STS-51L CANXPSIES Lyrics
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Wrap'd inside a gleeful skin
It tells a tale without a foe,
But still a story none will win.
(Instrumental)
There was a town where started a plague,Sicken'd folks began to dance,
They couldn't stop they tried to beg
But legs still mov'd as in a trance.
(Instrumental)
No healthy lad could hear the song,
That tormented the sicken'd crew
Clear though t'was they danced along,
Here's the song they danced to:
(Instrumental)
Danced all day and danced all night
They danced until the dawn was nigh,
Oh doctors came and told their thoughts,
Their cures no change could wrought!
So they danced and danced all night,
Danced until the dawn was nigh,
Danced themselves the dancing plague
They danced to death their life gave!
(Instrumental)
Danced all day and danced all night
They danced until the dawn was nigh,Oh doctors came and told their thoughts,
Their cures no change could wrought!
So they danced and danced all night,
Danced until the dawn was nigh,
Danced themselves the dancing plague
They danced to death their life gave!
The song "Plague" by STS-51L CANXPSIES weaves a haunting narrative that captures the darker aspects of human existence, framed within an ironic and almost whimsical tone. Opening with the lines "I tell a tale of death and woe / Wrap'd inside a gleeful skin," the lyrics immediately establish a juxtaposition between the somber subject of death and the cheerful, almost playful manner of storytelling. This contrast suggests a duality where the absurdity of life and death is explored, with the absence of a clear antagonist underscoring that the tale represents an existential struggle rather than a traditional battle. The phrase "still a story none will win" hints at the inevitability of death and the futility of resisting fate, invoking a sense of melancholy rooted in the acknowledgment that life's adversities often cannot be overcome.
As the narrative progresses, we find ourselves in a town afflicted by a mysterious plague, morphing the residents into unwilling participants in a dance they cannot control. The lines "Sicken'd folks began to dance, / They couldn't stop they tried to beg," paint a vivid picture of desperation, where the afflicted are caught in a trance-like state, suggesting that the dance is both a physical manifestation of their suffering and a metaphorical escape from their grim reality. This imagery captures the cyclical nature of despair, highlighting how individuals may grapple with their struggles, yet still find themselves entrapped in patterns of behavior that exacerbate their plight. The plague of dancing serves as a cruel irony, transforming what could be an expression of joy into a harbinger of death, where the act of dancing becomes synonymous with their ultimate demise.
The doctor's arrival introduces a layer of futility and hopelessness to the narrative. "Oh doctors came and told their thoughts, / Their cures no change could wrought!" indicates that external efforts at healing are met with failure, emphasizing the theme of helplessness in the face of illness and despair. The inability of the medical practitioners to alter the course of the epidemic encapsulates a broader commentary on the limitations of human intervention when confronted with the mysteries of life and death, evoking feelings of frustration and inevitability. The ongoing dance becomes a metaphor for the struggle against the forces of nature, where those afflicted continue spiraling into oblivion despite awareness of their plight. It gestures toward a collective experience of common suffering, signifying that despite the efforts made by those in power or those who seek to 'heal,' they remain powerless against an uncontrollable fate.
The repetitive structure of "Danced all day and danced all night" reinforces the relentless nature of their predicament, suggesting that the dance, much like life itself, is unceasing. The cyclical repetition underscores a sense of monotony in the suffering experienced by the townspeople. The phrase "Danced themselves the dancing plague / They danced to death their life gave!" particularly crystallizes the weight of this struggle, where the very essence of life is surrendering to despair through an involuntary performance. This relentless dance until dawn encapsulates the tragic irony that within the pursuit of joy or even the fight against death, individuals may inadvertently concede their life. The song ends on the note of an endless cycle, mirroring the darker truths of life—where sometimes the pursuit of happiness leads to one's downfall, leaving the listeners to ponder the complex interplays between joy, suffering, life, and death.
Line by Line Meaning
I tell a tale of death and woe
I narrate a story filled with sorrow and mortality.
Wrap'd inside a gleeful skin
Disguised within a façade of joyfulness.
It tells a tale without a foe,
The narrative unfolds without any identifiable enemy.
But still a story none will win.
Despite the absence of conflict, it is a story leading to inevitable loss for all.
There was a town where started a plague,
In a certain community, an outbreak of calamity initiated.
Sicken'd folks began to dance,
Ill and afflicted individuals found themselves compelled to sway and move.
They couldn't stop they tried to beg
Their desperate pleas for relief went unheard as they remained unable to cease.
But legs still mov'd as in a trance.
Their bodies moved involuntarily, as if under a spell.
No healthy lad could hear the song,
Those in good health remained oblivious to the melody that haunted the afflicted.
That tormented the sicken'd crew
This melody inflicted suffering upon those who were unwell.
Clear though t'was they danced along,
Despite its clarity, the song compelled them to continue dancing.
Here's the song they danced to:
Let me present the tune that dictated their movements.
Danced all day and danced all night
They engaged in ceaseless movement, from sunrise to sunset.
They danced until the dawn was nigh,
Their dancing persisted right up until the approach of morning light.
Oh doctors came and told their thoughts,
Medical professionals arrived to share their insights on the situation.
Their cures no change could wrought!
However, their remedies failed to alter the affliction's course.
So they danced and danced all night,
Thus, they continued their relentless movement through the dark hours.
Danced until the dawn was nigh,
They kept dancing until the break of daylight loomed.
Danced themselves the dancing plague
They became victims of a fate where their very movements were dictated by the plague.
They danced to death their life gave!
In this tragic display, they danced towards mortality, sacrificing their existence for the curse of their actions.
Danced all day and danced all night
Once again, they moved continuously from morning until evening.
They danced until the dawn was nigh,
They persisted in their relentless dance as daybreak approached.
Oh doctors came and told their thoughts,
Once more, medical experts ventured forth to express their opinions.
Their cures no change could wrought!
Once again, their attempts at remedies proved futile.
So they danced and danced all night,
Consequently, they continued their ceaseless movements into the night.
Danced until the dawn was nigh,
They carried on until the morning light began to emerge.
Danced themselves the dancing plague
They willingly succumbed to the rhythm of the plague that enveloped them.
They danced to death their life gave!
In the end, their relentless dancing led them towards demise, a sacrifice of their vitality to the plight they faced.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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