After the Flood
The Clumsy Lovers Lyrics
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After the flood
When the world is of mud
And we send out the dove
And it doesn't return
Do you think then
All the king's men
Is that when we'll learn
First was the word
Which became flesh
That's only the beginning
I can't remember the rest
It seems I'm always forgetting
First was the fall
Bought by the death
Glory stands waiting
With baited breath
I'm always missing my mark
This is the thing:
The heart and the mind
And the soul and the spirit
All things of that kind
They crave what belongs
They want what is real
But they're blinded at birth
They're searching by feel
When it feels time
To get up and stand
The earth falls away
It was only quick sand
And blame and wonder
And anger and worse
When just calm is needed
To feel the inverse
I can be calm
The Clumsy Lovers's song "After the Flood" explores the aftermath of natural calamities and man's reaction. The song opens with a reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark and the dove he sent to check if the floodwaters had receded. When the dove doesn't return, it's a sign that the flood has subsided and the world is a muddy mess. The song then asks whether humanity will start over again or finally learn from their mistakes.
The following verses are introspective, contemplating the meaning of life and the human experience. The singer muses on the Christian doctrine of the Word becoming flesh, acknowledging that he can't remember the rest. He also references the fall of man and the promise of glory, but admits to always missing the mark. The final verse is a plea to seek what is real and to not be blinded at birth. The singer acknowledges that sometimes all that is needed is calmness to feel the inverse, to find peace in a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
After the flood
Refers to the biblical story of Noah's Ark, when the world was flooded and all life was wiped out except for those on the ark.
When the world is of mud
Describes the aftermath of the flood, where everything is covered in mud and destruction.
And we send out the dove
Refers to the story of Noah sending out a dove to see if the floodwaters had receded.
And it doesn't return
The dove doesn't return, indicating that the world is still covered in water.
Do you think then
Asking if this will be the moment when humanity learns from its mistakes.
All the king's men
Refers to the nursery rhyme 'Humpty Dumpty', where 'all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again'.
Will start over again
Asking if humanity will start over after the flood, like starting a new life after a traumatic event.
Is that when we'll learn
Asking if humanity will finally learn from their mistakes and try to do better.
First was the word
A reference to the opening passage in the Gospel of John, where 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God'.
Which became flesh
Refers to the idea that Jesus is the embodiment of God's Word.
That's only the beginning
Suggests that Jesus' coming was only the start of something bigger.
I can't remember the rest
The artist can't recall the rest of the biblical story or the teachings of Christianity.
First was the fall
Refers to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
Bought by the death
Refers to the idea that Jesus' death redeemed humanity from the sin of the fall.
Glory stands waiting
Suggests that there is a great reward waiting for those who believe in Jesus.
With baited breath
Means waiting with eager anticipation for something to happen.
I'm always missing my mark
The artist feels they fall short of what is expected of them or what they strive for.
This is the thing:
Introducing a new idea or theme.
The heart and the mind
Refers to the two aspects of the human experience - emotional and rational.
And the soul and the spirit
Refers to the spiritual aspects of humanity.
All things of that kind
Suggests that there are other parts of humanity that are important too.
They crave what belongs
Humanity desires what is rightfully theirs.
They want what is real
Humanity seeks truth and authenticity.
But they're blinded at birth
Suggests that humans are born ignorant or lacking in understanding.
They're searching by feel
Refers to the idea that humans rely on emotions and intuition to guide them through life.
When it feels time
Suggests that there are moments when it becomes clear that change is necessary.
To get up and stand
Refers to taking action or making a change.
The earth falls away
Suggests that the foundation or support that one relied on is suddenly gone.
It was only quick sand
The foundation or support was unstable, like sinking sand.
And blame and wonder
Refers to the emotions people feel when things go wrong - blaming or questioning why it happened.
And anger and worse
Suggests that negative or harmful emotions can arise in these situations.
When just calm is needed
Suggests that in order to deal with these situations, it's important to stay calm and level-headed.
To feel the inverse
Suggests that by being calm and rational, one can experience the opposite of negative emotions - peace and understanding.
I can be calm
The artist acknowledges that they are capable of being calm and rational in difficult situations.
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.