Birth
The Faint Lyrics

In the beginning there was semen,
The person is referring to the start of their physical existence, which began with the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm cell.

In a deep mound of flesh,
The fertilized ovum implants into the uterine lining and begins to grow, surrounded by the person's mother's flesh.

And a crest that traveled,
The person's father's semen contained a single sperm cell that would eventually fuse with the ovum to form the person's genetic material or 'crest.'

On a wave of their own mess.
The semen containing the sperm cell was ejaculated from the father's body and is here referred to as their 'own mess.'

Through a tunnel of mucus,
During the process of birth, the person exited their mother's body via the birth canal, which was covered in a layer of mucus designed to lubricate and protect the baby.

And onto a vault,
The person emerged from the birth canal and was born, landing onto a flat surface resembling a vault or platform.

With tourists and traffic,
The person is using a metaphor to describe the hustle and bustle of the hospital environment they were born into, with doctors and nurses bustling around and visitors and other patients coming and going.

I just paced myself.
Despite the commotion around them, the person kept their composure and remained calm during the birth process.

Not I as my whole self,
The person did not enter the world fully formed or complete, as they were still connected to their mother via the placenta and umbilical cord.

Just the half that I had,
Only the part of the person that was outside of their mother's body, visible to the world, had been born at this point.

Before greeting the rest,
After the baby's entire body had been born, they would soon be separated from their mother, who would deliver the placenta.

Of my better half.
The baby is referring to their mother as their 'better half,' the one who nurtured and sustained them during their time in the womb.

A connection was made,
After the baby was born, they and their parents were connected through a bond of love and familial ties.

Through the shared love of science,
The use of science and medical technology during childbirth helped the parents and doctors ensure that the birth was safe and healthy for both the mother and the baby.

And vows were taken,
The parents may have made a commitment to care for and raise the child to the best of their abilities.

A seat was hired.
The hospital may have provided a comfortable and safe spot for the baby and their parents to bond after the baby's birth.

A cavern of fluid,
During the baby's development in the womb, they were surrounded by a sack of amniotic fluid that provided cushioning and nourishment.

Brought shape to my hide,
The amniotic fluid helped the baby's skin develop and form its distinctive features and texture.

In the months that remain,
The baby remained in the womb for several months prior to birth, continuing to grow and develop as they awaited their entry into the world.

To the time of my life.
The person considers the time of their birth to be a major milestone, the beginning of their physical life outside of their mother's body.

Add flash for the reason,
A sudden burst of activity or noise may have occurred during the birth process, prompting attention from the doctors and nurses present.

Was spilling from the crack,
The 'crack' may refer to the mother's birth canal, which was opening up to allow the baby to be born.

To the palms of the doctor,
The medical professionals present at the birth were responsible for safely delivering the baby and ensuring that both the mother and the baby remained healthy after the process was over.

To a towel full of scraps.
After the baby was born, they were cleaned off and swaddled in a towel or blanket to keep them warm and comfortable.

My brains wouldn't fit,
The baby's head was likely larger than the birth canal at this point, sending a signal to the medical team that they would need to make an incision to allow the baby to be born safely.

Through organ sex,
The process of birth involves the baby's head and body passing through the mother's pelvis and birth canal, which are made up of reproductive organs involved in sex and reproduction.

An incision was made,
A surgical incision known as a C-section was performed to allow the baby to be delivered safely when a vaginal birth would have been too risky or difficult.

With a scalpel and mess.
The surgical procedure to deliver the baby involved the use of a scalpel, or small surgical knife, and other medical tools to ensure that the baby could be safely born.

I should have noticed the beauty,
The person reflects on how they may have only felt the pain and discomfort associated with the birth process rather than appreciating the beauty and miracle of new life.

And not how it hurt,
Rather than focusing on the pain of the process, the person now wishes they could have reflected more on the wonder and amazement of the birth process.

Wet like a cherry,
The newborn baby's skin and hair may have been wet and sticky with amniotic fluid and other bodily fluids after being born.

In the bloodbath of birth.
The birth process can be a messy and chaotic one, with blood and other fluids often present and creating a chaotic scene during the delivery of a baby.