Bore Me
Stone Gossard Lyrics
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The organ grinder quips
Locked inside a barricade
How could you get in?
The admiral checks his thieves
To see what they'd done wrong
Wrapped it up in silly paper
Tacked it to the wall
All could see...
He bore me...
He tries to get his armies outside the trail
He knows his better part is outside of bail
He found me...
All could see...
He bore me...
Ten pounds, ten pounds
Ten pounds, ten pounds
The admiral checks the crowd
To see if they would mind
He knew it wasn't instigated
By his little frog
The rabbit chased the pig
Around their parking lot
Pony tail between his knees
Customary sot
He bore me...
All could see...
He found me...
All could see...
He bore me...
The lyrics to Stone Gossard's "Bore Me" contain a number of surreal and fragmented images that suggest a sense of confusion or disorientation. The opening lines, "just passed too bizarre/the organ grinder quips," create an unsettling atmosphere, as though the singer has entered a strange and unfamiliar world. This feeling is reinforced by the lines "locked inside a barricade/how could you get in?" which suggest both a sense of entrapment and a desire for escape or liberation.
The next few lines paint a picture of an authoritarian figure, an "admiral" who is checking on his "thieves" to see what they've done wrong. The phrase "wrapped it up in silly paper/tacked it to the wall" suggests a sort of bureaucratic absurdity, as though the wrongs being committed are being obscured or minimized. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "he bore me," provides a centering point for the song's themes of powerlessness and submission.
The subsequent verses introduce more bizarre and dreamlike imagery, including a rabbit chasing a pig and a "customary sot" with his "ponytail between his knees." These images don't seem to cohere into a logical narrative, but rather suggest a world of fragmented and meaningless symbols. The repeated phrase "he bore me," meanwhile, carries a sense of resignation and defeat.
Overall, the lyrics to "Bore Me" suggest a sort of surrealist commentary on power structures and the forces that keep individuals trapped and unable to assert their own agency.
Line by Line Meaning
Just passed too bizarre
Recently experienced something strange or unusual
The organ grinder quips
Refers to an organ grinder; someone who is always saying a certain thing or has a particular opinion
Locked inside a barricade
Feeling trapped or constrained
How could you get in?
Questioning how someone gained entry or influence
The admiral checks his thieves
Refers to a leader who is keeping close tabs on those around him/her
To see what they'd done wrong
Trying to catch someone in the act of doing something suspicious or illegal
Wrapped it up in silly paper
Concealing something serious or consequential with a lighthearted or unserious veneer
Tacked it to the wall
Putting something permanently on display
He bore me...
A person or situation is causing boredom or ennui
All could see...
The uninteresting nature of something is apparent to all witnesses
He tries to get his armies outside the trail
Attempting to be different or innovative despite familiar obstacles or challenges
He knows his better part is outside of bail
The best part of himself cannot be reached by conventional means
He found me...
Someone or something unexpected enters into his/her life or situation
Ten pounds, ten pounds
A repeated expression of frustration or disappointment
The admiral checks the crowd
Keeping an eye on one's surroundings to maintain control
To see if they would mind
Checking the reactions of others to determine whether it is safe to proceed with a certain action
He knew it wasn't instigated
Acknowledging that a situation or outcome was not caused by himself/herself
By his little frog
Attributing the outcome to someone insignificant or seemingly inconsequential
The rabbit chased the pig
Describing a situation where one is chasing after another; usually with humor or irony
Around their parking lot
A mundane or unimportant location where the chase is taking place
Pony tail between his knees
A sign of defeat or submission; giving up or backing down
Customary sot
Describing someone who habitually drinks or is alcoholic
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Marle
Great lesson as always Ryan. Can't wait for tomorrow's Grand Finale!!
Ryan Lendt
I cant even wait. it's one hour and three minutes away and time is going so slowwwwww!
Anam Kara
I love how music can transport me. I listened to the album version of this song just now and boom it’s 2001....I was so young and optimistic... about to head off in many adventures....it was the day the world changed! Released on 9/11.... crazy
Ryan Lendt
I was in my dorm dreading going to class. quite diametrically opposed backdrops to that day have we.
Anam Kara
Ryan Lendt I was just back from Paris..: in the Oil Sands of Northern Alberta about 6 hours from civilization... driving around site when I heard the news report ... couldn’t believe it. Music was such a comfort... and books ... an audio book on cassette actually.
Anam Kara
PS The Alchemist was an amazing read ... Paulo is to books as Stone is to guitars ...
Ryan Lendt
I'm very bemused that you knew it!
Jamel Mousse
Yessss! Amazing Music! Thanks Ryan!
Ryan Lendt
You have really great taste in music Jamel :)
Fido
Like your wisdom! You're smart. You're awesome!