After the release of some EPs and singles, the group signed with Merge Records who released their second album, Long Goodbye, in 2003. After a world tour, they headed back to the studio in fall of 2005 to begin work on their third album, Cannibal Sea, which was released in March of 2006.
This Isn't Farmlife
The Essex Green Lyrics
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I stare at maps all day, a charade in the sunset
I read the news with all its angles bent
And blame my confusion on designs intelligent
Too many things, too many things to keep my mind on
I was rehearsing for the Iliad
A social siege to end the war, yeah
This isn't farmlife
I was sleeping in dunes at night, the southern land
By day I sail on the cannibal sea
I'm breathing in this heavy water, oh
In my kingdom in my stratosphere
My girl hustles words to fools in particular
And from the safety of an overcoat
She wears a wire that runs all the way to Stockholm
Arrows and bows, aiming everywhere we go
This isn't farm life
An eye for an eye, under the microscope a mythic paradise
Another year, another try, on we go, on we go
The Essex Green's song "This Isn't Farmlife" is a whimsical and poetic reflection on life's complexities and the struggle to keep focus on a singular path amidst competing distractions. The opening lyrics, "We're not breaking any records yet, I stare at maps all day, a charade in the sunset," suggest a sense of ennui and aimlessness, a feeling that the singer is treading water or spinning their wheels. The line "Too many things, too many things to keep my mind on" underscores this sense of confusion and overwhelmedness, as if the singer is struggling to make sense of the world around them and their place within it.
The song then takes us on a strange journey through different landscapes and worlds, as the singer imagines themselves rehearsing for the Iliad or sleeping in dunes at night in the southern land. These images evoke a sense of adventure and exploration, but also a feeling of disconnection and distance from reality. The line "This isn't farmlife" is a refrain that anchors the song's theme, suggesting that the world we inhabit is far more complex and fragmented than a simple pastoral existence.
The final verse introduces a new character, the singer's girlfriend, who "hustles words to fools in particular" and wears a wire all the way to Stockholm. This cryptic image suggests a world of intrigue and danger, where even love and intimacy are fraught with uncertainty and mistrust. The song closes with a note of resilience, as the singer declares "on we go, on we go," suggesting that despite the challenges and complexities of life, they are determined to keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
We're not breaking any records yet
We haven't accomplished anything notable yet.
I stare at maps all day, a charade in the sunset
I spend my days looking at maps, pretending like it's meaningful work.
I read the news with all its angles bent
I consume biased news that confirms my own beliefs.
And blame my confusion on designs intelligent
I attribute my confusion to the intelligent, deliberate actions of others.
Too many things, too many things to keep my mind on
There are too many things to focus on, it's overwhelming.
I was rehearsing for the Iliad
I was preparing for something epic or heroic.
A social siege to end the war, yeah
I was working towards achieving a peaceful resolution to a social conflict.
Arrows and bows, aiming everywhere we go
We are metaphorically under attack from all sides.
This isn't farmlife
This isn't a simple or easy way of living and working like a farmer would have.
I was sleeping in dunes at night, the southern land
I was camping in the desert at night, in a remote and unfamiliar place.
By day I sail on the cannibal sea
During the day, I travel across a dangerous and unpredictable ocean.
I'm breathing in this heavy water, oh
I am struggling to survive in a difficult or challenging situation.
In my kingdom in my stratosphere
I feel like I am in a position of power or control.
My girl hustles words to fools in particular
My partner is skilled at manipulating people with her words.
And from the safety of an overcoat
She is protected from harm or danger by her clothing.
She wears a wire that runs all the way to Stockholm
She is secretly recording conversations and transmitting the information to a faraway location.
An eye for an eye, under the microscope a mythic paradise
The pursuit of revenge will ultimately lead to trouble and disappointment.
Another year, another try, on we go, on we go
Despite previous failures, we will keep trying to succeed.
Contributed by Sebastian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.