“Down below me I could see a black and white sphere….sullen and unnerving. Floating in a graveyard of abandoned submarines that circled the magnificent dot as a ringed mote. Had I been here before?““
Drunkship of Lanterns
The Mars Volta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shelf of pig-smothered cries
Is there a spirit that spits
Upon the exit of signs?
Is anybody there? (Spines in a row)
These steps keep on growing long (spined as an arrow)
Bayonet trials rust propellers await
Nobody is heard
Rowing sheep smiles for the dead
Nobody is heard
An antiquated home
Afloat with engines on mute
Sui generis ship spined around the yard
Is anybody there? (Spines in a row)
These craft only multiply (spined as an arrow)
At the nape of ruins rust propellers await
No
Nobody is heard
Compass wilting in the wind
Nobody is heard
Rowing sheep smile for the dead
Transoceanic depth in this earth
In this cenotaph
Lash of one thousand eyebrows clicking
Counting the toll
Counting the toll
You've got the lot to burn
A shelf of pig-smothered cries
Is there a spirit that spits
Upon the exit of signs?
Is anybody there (spines in a row)
These steps keep on growing long (spined as an arrow)
Bayonet trials rust propellers await
No
Nobody is heard
Compass wilting in the wind
Nobody is heard
Rowing sheep smile for the dead
Transoceanic depth in this earth
In this cenotaph
Carpal jets
Hit the ground
Carpal jets
Hit the ground
Carpal jets
Hit the ground
Carpal jets
Hit the ground
Lash of one thousand eyebrows clicking
Counting the toll
Counting the toll
Lash of one thousand eyebrows clicking
Counting the toll
Counting the toll
The Mars Volta's "Drunkship of Lanterns" uses evocative and obscure lyrics that depict a surreal and haunting scene. The song's verses seem to suggest a deserted ship or yard, with mention of abandoned crafts and rusting propellers. The repeated inquiry "Is anybody there?" is a startling reminder of the song's eerie ambiance. The lyrics "bayonet trials" could refer to military conflict and the destruction it leaves behind, while "rowing sheep smile for the dead" is a particularly eerie image that suggests a sort of macabre ritual or sacrifice.
The chorus repeats certain lines, emphasizing the theme of silence and emptiness. The line "nobody is heard" is a stark reminder of the deserted scene, while "compass wilting in the wind" seems to suggest the futility of direction when there is no one around to follow it. The repeated phrase "rowling sheep smile for the dead" adds to the overall sense of unease, suggesting a mysterious and possibly disturbing ritual.
The song also features several cryptic and bizarre elements, such as "lash of one thousand eyebrows clicking" and "carpal jets hit the ground." While their meaning may be unclear, these phrases add to the song's surreal and otherworldly atmosphere, highlighting the unknowable aspects of the scene the song describes.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got the lot to burn
You have a lot of potential and opportunities to use or waste
A shelf of pig-smothered cries
A collection of emotional outbursts that have been suppressed, like pigs in a pen
Is there a spirit that spits
Is there some force or energy that comes out with force?
Upon the exit of signs
When reaching an end point or transition, does something powerful happen?
Is anybody there (standing around)
Is anyone nearby to experience and witness what's happening?
These steps keep on growing long (straight as an arrow)
The process feels like it's taking longer and longer, but it's also very focused and linear
Bayonet trials rust propellers await
Obstacles and difficulties lie ahead, but it's important to keep going and pushing through
No
There is no response or help available
Nobody is heard
Even though there are people around, no one seems to understand or care
Rowing sheep smiles for the dead
People are going through the motions, but there is no real passion or excitement in their actions
An antiquated home
The surroundings are old and outdated, possibly representing a lack of progress or innovation
Afloat with engines on mute
There is movement and progress, but it's not driven by anything powerful or meaningful
Sui generis ship spined around the yard
A unique and one-of-a-kind ship is in the area, but it's not being used for anything special
These craft only multiply (straight as an arrow)
There are more ships and machines being produced, but they're all very similar and lacking originality
At the nape of ruins rust propellers await
Even in the midst of destruction and decay, there are still obstacles and challenges that need to be overcome
No, compass wilting in the wind
There is no guidance or direction, and it feels like everything is falling apart
Transoceanic depth in this earth in this cenotaph
There is a vast and profound depth to this area, but it's also a place of mourning and remembrance
Lash of one thousand eye brows clicking
There is a sense of pressure and scrutiny, with many people watching and judging
Counting the toll
Calculating the cost or damage done by the actions taken
Carpal jets hit the ground
An abrupt and forceful impact, possibly indicating a crash or collision
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Cedric Bixler, Omar Rodriguez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind