Arlequin
THE NOVEMBERS Lyrics

The Novembers’ “Arlequin” is a haunting and deeply introspective song that delves into the psyche of an individual struggling to cope with his inner demons. The opening lines, “What I am learning here and now, is to cut that hedge and smile? / I want to cut that hedge and laugh, because I know that I’ll learn something from it,” seem to suggest that the singer is undergoing some sort of cathartic experience or confronting a painful truth about himself. The “laugh” mentioned here could be interpreted as a forced smile, suggesting that the singer is masking his true emotions.

The lines “In the ocean within me, overflowing / I throw away the corpse of the devil” are particularly striking, implying that the singer has committed some sort of heinous act or faced a traumatic experience that he is trying to expunge from his psyche. The reference to the “corse of the devil” may also suggest a sort of self-flagellation, with the singer trying to rid himself of his own “demons” through a physical expression of his pain.

Throughout the song, there is a sense of raw, unvarnished emotion that is communicated through the poetic lyrics and haunting melody. The repetition of phrases like “I want to cut that hedge and laugh” and “throw away the corpse of the devil” creates a sense of rhythmic urgency that amplifies the sense of turmoil and pain that the singer is experiencing.