“Siouxsie saw a news story about two villages in Colombia who have been feuding over a drug cartel. One town had a vendetta to wipe out all the males of the other town until there was just one boy left. But then he was shot at a bus stop on his way to school. The only uplifting part of it was that the women were safe in the notion that some of them were pregnant and the village would not disappear. But it was a shocking, strange incident and inspired the lyrics.”
“The flamenco dancers on this came from the local ballet school. We had one mike at their feet, one on the hands, and we just gave them the 808 through a speaker. Obviously we couldn’t have it very loud, so I had to stand there conducting madly. We knew roughly the arrangement but we didn’t let them hear it.”
(Budgie)
Manchild
The Creatures Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calling their manchild as the trouble would blow
There's always some body to watch over me
I'm never alone I wish they'd leave me be
Never alone
I'm never alone
I'm just a boy not long for this world
I'm called nelsito and I'm thirteen years old
There are no men I'm the last in the chain
Last in the chain
I'm manchild man
Marimba sing high marimba sing low
Marimba sing high as the cemetery grows
All have been wept for husbands brothers grandsons
Grandfathers nephews cousins uncles fathers and sons
I walk in boots too big for me
The women do cry as they watch over me
I work at the altar I try to be good
But just like the others I'll soon travel in wood
I try to be good
Man child in wood
The Creatures' song "Manchild" is a hauntingly beautiful piece with lyrics that are open to multiple interpretations. However, at its core, the song seems to explore the life of a young boy named Nelsito who is constantly watched over by the adults around him, who affectionately call him their "manchild." Despite their attempts to protect him, Nelsito seems aware of his own mortality and understands that he is not long for this world. He acknowledges that he is never truly alone, but he wishes that the people around him would give him some space and allow him to live his own life.
The lyrics continue to paint a vivid picture of the world that Nelsito lives in, with references to a long-standing vendetta that has claimed the lives of many men in his family. The marimba, a traditional African instrument, symbolizes the grief and mourning that permeates his community. While Nelsito tries to be a good person, he knows that he is destined to join the long line of men who have already perished.
One possible interpretation of these lyrics is that Nelsito represents a larger group of young people who are caught in the crossfire of violence and conflict. While they are well-intentioned and try to live their lives as best they can, they are often unable to escape the pervasive sense of danger and sadness that surrounds them. Overall, "Manchild" is a powerful song that captures the singular perspective of a young boy whose life is inextricably linked to the tumultuous world around him.
Line by Line Meaning
They would seek high, they would seek low
People are frantically searching for someone.
Calling their manchild as the trouble would blow
They are calling out to someone named manchild to help them in a time of trouble.
There's always some body to watch over me
No matter where I go, someone always feels the need to watch over me.
I'm never alone I wish they'd leave me be
Although I am never alone, I wish for some privacy and independence.
Never alone
I am always surrounded by people, never left to myself.
I'm just a boy not long for this world
I am young and will not be here for much longer.
I'm called nelsito and I'm thirteen years old
My name is Nelsito and I am thirteen years old.
For nearly two decades this vendetta has raged
A conflict has been going on for almost two decades.
There are no men I'm the last in the chain
There are no more men left in the chain except for me.
Last in the chain
I am the final link in the chain of men.
I'm manchild man
I am the manchild that they have been calling out for.
Marimba sing high marimba sing low
The marimba is playing both high and low notes.
Marimba sing high as the cemetery grows
The marimba's high notes are reaching the growing cemetery.
All have been wept for husbands brothers grandsons
All the women have wept for their lost husbands, brothers, grandsons, nephews, cousins, uncles, fathers, and sons.
Grandfathers nephews cousins uncles fathers and sons
These are the lost relatives that the women have wept for.
I walk in boots too big for me
I am trying to fill shoes that are too big for me.
The women do cry as they watch over me
The women are emotional as they observe and protect me.
I work at the altar I try to be good
I have a job at the altar and I am trying to be a good person.
But just like the others I'll soon travel in wood
Like the other men, I will soon be buried in a wooden coffin.
I try to be good
I am making an effort to be a decent person.
Man child in wood
The manchild will soon be placed in a wooden casket.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind