Tiger! Tiger!
Slough Feg Lyrics


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The spheres in motion wrapped around collapsing stars
Immortal hands and eyes are framed in fearful scars
The mystery of living, breathing, dying hard

My name and occupation tattooed on my face
The stars my destiny, deep space my dwelling place
Delirious and rotting, where's my saving grace
The stars burn bright
In the forest of night
But what mortal hands and eyes will I see there?

I'm locked behind bars
On the gateway to Mars
But when all the stars expire will I still be here?

I'll set the villages and colonies aflame




The bards of history had best forget my name
Deliriously plotting, Nomad is my fame

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Slough Feg's song Tiger! Tiger! speak of cosmic themes and human destiny. The opening lines refer to the notion of celestial mechanics, the patterns of planets in orbit around stars. The idea of "immortal hands and eyes" suggests the divine or supernatural, but also hints at the idea of a universe that functions according to fixed laws. These laws may be terrifying or awe-inspiring, but they are also fundamentally mysterious.


The next lines shift the focus to the human subject singing the song. The idea of a name and occupation tattooed on one's face is unusual but speaks to the idea of identity being immutable and public-facing. The stars are seen as both a destination and a place of origin, perhaps suggesting that humans are both insignificant and integral to the bigger picture of the universe. The word "delirious" suggests a sort of madness or confusion, possibly brought on by confronting the existential themes of the song.


The chorus envisions the stars as a "forest of night", but wonders what sort of beings might be present there. The idea of being locked behind bars suggests a feeling of being constrained or trapped, unable to fully explore the universe. The final lines suggest a desire to cause destruction and chaos, but also a desire for fame that may not endure in the long run. Overall, the lyrics of Tiger! Tiger! combine a sense of cosmic wonder with an awareness of human limitations and frailties.


Line by Line Meaning

The spheres in motion wrapped around collapsing stars
The universe is vast and constantly moving with stars collapsing and forming, creating a dynamic celestial environment.


Immortal hands and eyes are framed in fearful scars
The idea of immortality brings pain and fear, as those who are able to live forever witness the world changing around them.


The mystery of living, breathing, dying hard
The process of life, death, and existence is difficult and full of unknowns that can make it a challenging journey.


My name and occupation tattooed on my face
A sense of identity is crucial to survival in a world where everything can change quickly, and some people find ways to make their identity permanent.


The stars my destiny, deep space my dwelling place
A sense of purpose can be found in the vast expanse of space, where one can find their destiny and make their home among the stars.


Delirious and rotting, where's my saving grace
Even with a sense of destiny and purpose, life can be difficult and full of challenges, and it can be hard to find hope or redemption.


The stars burn bright
Stars can be a source of inspiration and wonder, as they light up the darkness of space.


In the forest of night
The unknown and mysterious nature of the universe is like a forest at night, full of secrets waiting to be discovered.


But what mortal hands and eyes will I see there?
Despite the vastness of space, it is also a lonely place, and it can be hard to find other beings among the stars.


I'm locked behind bars
Sometimes life can feel like a prison, with no escape from the confines of existence.


On the gateway to Mars
The possibility of traveling to other planets, such as Mars, could be a way to break free from the prison of Earth.


But when all the stars expire will I still be here?
Even the stars will eventually die, and it is uncertain what will happen to those who have made their homes among them.


I'll set the villages and colonies aflame
The destructive power of human ambition can set entire civilizations on fire, leaving nothing but ashes in their wake.


The bards of history had best forget my name
Those who pursue power and ambition often do so at the expense of others, and their names are often forgotten by history.


Deliriously plotting, Nomad is my fame
Some people find purpose in wandering the world, always searching for something new and exciting, regardless of the risks involved.




Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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