Lullaby
Scott Walker + Sunn O))) Lyrics
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(by-by-by)
Tonight
my assistant
will pass among
you
be empty
Hey non-e
non-e
The most intimate
personal choices
and requests
central to your
personal dignity
will be sung
non-e
non-e
Why don't minstrels
go from house
to house
howling songs
the way they
used to?
Because
In vain I
bind another
foot
In vain and
now the other
foot
Because because
I lullaby
la la
you can tell
My sweet little
darling
My comfort and
joy
lullaby
la la
you can tell
In beauty surpassing
are princes of
Troy
Some are born
to it
you can tell
some are made
to do it
some allowed
When I
lullaby
la la
lullaby
la la
Fa la la
Fa la la
In ameri-
such a-
meri
Fa la la
Fa la la
Fa la la
Fa la la
Fa la la
In ameri-
such a-
meri
Fa la la
Fa la la
Fa la la
Tonight my assistant
will hear
the canals
of Mars
His cap will
be empty
non-e
non-e
The most intimate
personal choices
and requests
central to your
personal autonomy
will be sung
non-e
non-e
Why don't painters
paint their cloudy
spines
chiaroscuro
the way they
used to?
Because
In vain I
douse another lamp
Because because
I lullaby
la la
you can tell
My sweet little
darling
My comfort and
joy
I lullaby
la la
you can tell
In beauty
surpassing
are princes of
Troy
Some are born
to it
you can tell
some are made
to do it
some allowed
When I
lullaby
la la
lullaby
la la
Tonight
my assistant
will pass
among you
His cap will
be empty
The most intimate
personal choices
and requests
central to your
personal dignity
will be sung.
The song "Lullaby" by Scott Walker and Sunn O))) is filled with enigmatic and cryptic lyrics that are open to interpretation. At its core, the song seems to be about the loss of traditional art forms and the need for personal spaces in a world that seeks to control every aspect of an individual's life. The song begins with the line "Tonight my assistant will pass among you, his cap will be empty," which suggests that someone is going around collecting something or asking for something. The following lines about personal choices and requests being central to personal dignity appear to be a warning against giving up too much control over one's life. The line "Why don't minstrels go from house to house howling songs the way they used to?" suggests the disappearance of traditional art forms that used to bring people together in communal settings.
The recurring lines of "lullaby la la" and "non-e non-e" may be interpreted as a soothing mantra or spell to ward off the chaos of the world. The next stanza seems to lament the loss of another art form, painting. The lines "why don't painters paint their cloudy spines chiaroscuro the way they used to?" suggest the disappearance of techniques that were once widely popular. The final stanza repeats the beginning lines, suggesting the cyclical nature of life and loss.
Overall, "Lullaby" is a complex and mysterious song that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. It appears to be an ode to traditional art forms and a warning against giving up too much personal control.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight
This evening
my assistant
My colleague
will pass among
Will move through
you
You all
His cap will
Empty will be his hat
be empty
Void of contents
Hey non-e
Hey non-e
The most intimate
The most intimate
personal choices
Choices that are deeply personal
and requests
And requests
central to your
Critical to one's
personal dignity
Dignity as a person
will be sung
Will be vocalized
non-e
Non-e
Why don't minstrels
Why don't bards
go from house
Travel from dwelling
to house
To dwelling
howling songs
Shouting music
the way they
As they
used to?
Once did?
Because
For the reason that
In vain I
In uselessness I
bind another
Tie another
foot
Foot
In vain and
In uselessness and
now the other
Now the opposite
foot
Foot
Because because
Because twice
I lullaby
I sing a lullaby
la la
La la
you can tell
You may tell
My sweet little
My dear small
darling
Beloved
My comfort and
My source of comfort and
joy
Happiness
In beauty surpassing
With beauty beyond
are princes of
Exist noble persons of
Troy
Troy
Some are born
Some are born
to it
Into it
some are made
Some are created
to do it
To carry out that role
some allowed
Some are permitted
When I
As I
lullaby
Sing a lullaby
Fa la la
Fa la la
In ameri-
In America
such a-
What a
meri
Merry
Tonight my assistant
This evening my colleague
will hear
Will perceive sound of
the canals
The waterways
of Mars
On Mars
Why don't painters
Why don't artists
paint their cloudy
Create their obscure
spines
Forms
chiaroscuro
Use of contrasting light and dark
the way they
As they
used to?
Once did?
Because
For the reason that
In vain I
In uselessness I
douse another
Extinguish another
lamp
Light
Tonight
This evening
will pass among you
Will move among you
The most intimate
The most intimate
personal autonomy
Individual freedom
will be sung.
Will be vocalized.
Contributed by Henry S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.