Joan Of Arc
The Melvins Lyrics
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My lefty
Come on you knuckleheads
Move it move it move it
Moss in the mornin', lets you in
Is it a field day (feel they?), make me sin
It's only warm my, let you stay
Chase!
Learn-ed (your name?)
Finely
Earn your ray
Might be they
Lucky day
N!
How could you ever, moss it down
Extra ordin is, not my sound
She better hope, that you better mind
Mix me over my, debt (left,let?) be wide! (why!)
The opening lines of the song request someone to move quickly and are like commands given to 'you knuckleheads' to get going. The next lines might describe the setting of the song, possibly early morning where moss is still on the ground. 'Moss in the morning' has a certain soothing quality to it, as if everything is still and untouched, it suggests a certain level of purity. The next few lines are hard to decipher but may suggest that this field day is a chance for the singer to do something he/she is not supposed to do, hence 'make me sin'. The second verse changes tempo and could be understood as an instruction for someone to learn quickly and get good at it. The lines 'Mix me over my, debt be wide!' are hard to interpret but could mean that the singer is being betrayed or cheated, as there is a reference to debt which is not being repaid, I.e., something is being hidden.
Overall, the song employs a lot of metaphors and imagery that makes it difficult to understand the larger narrative. However, the song has a fast-paced, claustrophobic quality that is both energetic and terrifying.
Line by Line Meaning
My left
The Melvins are addressing someone or something on their left side
My lefty
Further emphasizing the direction they are addressing
Come on you knuckleheads
A call to action directed at a group of people, with a slightly derogatory tone
Move it move it move it
Urging those same people to hurry up and get moving quickly
Moss in the mornin', lets you in
Describing the peacefulness of seeing moss in the morning, potentially symbolizing hope or new beginnings
Is it a field day (feel they?), make me sin
Unclear and potentially with a double meaning. It could be asking if it's a good day (especially as in 'do you feel that too?'), or suggesting sinful activities are taking place
It's only warm my, let you stay
A welcoming sentiment, potentially to the same person or group being addressed earlier
Moss in the mornin', might be way
Repeating the image of moss from earlier, again potentially symbolizing new beginnings or hope
Chase!
A sudden, abrupt command to start running or moving quickly
Learn-ed (your name?)
A playful question, possibly directed at another band member or listener
Finely
Reinforcing the idea of something being done with precision or care
Earn your ray
Potentially encouraging someone to work hard and earn their moment in the sun
Might be they
Uncertain language, pointing to the unknown
Lucky day
A positive exclamation, suggesting something good or fortunate has happened
N!
Unclear and potentially without meaning, or could represent any number of things depending on interpretation
How could you ever, moss it down
Questioning why someone would ever take away or diminish the hopeful, new beginnings of the moss imagery
Extra ordin is, not my sound
Playing with the phrase 'extraordinary' to suggest that something is not quite right or unusual in relation to their sound or the situation at hand
She better hope, that you better mind
Directly addressing a person (maybe Joan of Arc), and suggesting that if they don't do something better or more obediently to the Melvins' liking, things could turn sour
Mix me over my, debt (left,let?) be wide! (why!)
Unclear language with unclear meaning, but could potentially suggest the Melvins are in debt and need space to pay it off
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER OSBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind