About the track Walker commented: "An allegorical song. About two tramps who get their fantasies from a bottle. Inspired by a picture I saw and an article in Time magazine about Skid Row."
Two Ragged Soldiers
Scott Walker Lyrics
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And they took the detours that scattered the way
They departed from summer like two ragged soldiers
Dragging their heels through their fantasies
There were meals in the missions for two frozen statues
And long drafty sermons devouring their knees
Sometimes passions in winter turn to cold soundless moments
That teared in the eyes of their fantasies
There were nights on park benches, stale bread for the pigeons
Good mornings to faces who just turned away
And on one road confusion, the other desire
So they took to the road of their fantasies
One would speak of a lake where he used to go swimming
The other had no memories left for his mind
With their arms round each other the two ragged soldiers
Laughed through a war that they couldn't see
Laughed for a world filled with fantasy
The lyrics of Scott Walker's Two Ragged Soldiers tell the story of two individuals who have left their lives behind and are taking the detours scattered along the way. These two lost souls depart from summer like ragged soldiers, dragging their heels through their fantasies. One can only imagine the pain that drove the two towards this path. Perhaps they had experienced shattered dreams, disappointments, or loss.
The two are depicted as being completely isolated and left to fend for themselves. They have to rely on missions for food and endure long drafty sermons devouring their knees. Their passions have withered away like the winter, leaving them in cold soundless moments, only to be teared down by their fantasies. There were nights on park benches, stale bread for the pigeons, and good mornings to faces that turned away. They were lost but still decided to continue wandering, speaking of the memories they used to know, now replaced with darkness.
The song presents a melancholic tale, begging for the listener's empathy. It explores themes of disillusionment, loneliness, and the desperate search for fulfillment. The two ragged soldiers just laugh and go on with their journey, taking comfort in their imaginative world filled with fantasy.
Line by Line Meaning
They spoke transparent phrases to looking glass women
They spoke insincere words to women who only cared about status and appearance.
And they took the detours that scattered the way
They avoided the direct path and chose to wander aimlessly.
They departed from summer like two ragged soldiers
They left behind the warmth and happiness of summer feeling worn out and defeated.
Dragging their heels through their fantasies
They were unable to face reality and instead immersed themselves in their own fantasies.
There were meals in the missions for two frozen statues
They received bland and unappetizing food from charitable organizations.
And long drafty sermons devouring their knees
They endured tedious and uncomfortable religious lectures that left them physically and mentally exhausted.
Sometimes passions in winter turn to cold soundless moments
Their desires and ambitions became lifeless and silent during the cold and dreary winter months.
That teared in the eyes of their fantasies
Their daydreams became a source of emotional pain and longing.
There were nights on park benches, stale bread for the pigeons
They spent nights sleeping on benches and had nothing but old bread to feed pigeons.
Good mornings to faces who just turned away
They greeted people who didn't acknowledge their existence.
And on one road confusion, the other desire
One of them was lost and unsure while the other was driven by his wants and needs.
So they took to the road of their fantasies
They escaped from reality by indulging in their daydreams and desires.
One would speak of a lake where he used to go swimming
One of them reminisced about a happier time when he swam in a lake.
The other had no memories left for his mind
The other had lost all recollection of his past experiences.
With their arms round each other the two ragged soldiers
They found comfort in each other's company despite their hardships.
Laughed through a war that they couldn't see
They laughed to cope with their struggles that were invisible to everyone else.
Laughed for a world filled with fantasy
They laughed because their only solace was in their imaginations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: S ENGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind