The Ballad of Helen Keller & Rip Van Winkle
The Moldy Peaches Lyrics


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Burn it all up
Hanging in the street
Enlightenment
Whining, mercy me

Take my hand now, love
Down the stairs, your father walks
I will lead the way
His hair is falling grey

Leave them behind
Runnin' to the sea
Don't make a sound
Twitching silently

Take my hand now, love
Down the stairs, your father walks
I will lead the way
His hair is falling grey





No matter what they say,
I can make you stay

Overall Meaning

The Moldy Peaches's song "The Ballad of Helen Keller & Rip Van Winkle" tells the story of two characters who are both isolated from the rest of society in their own unique ways. The song starts off with the line "Burn it all up, hanging in the street," which sets the tone for the song's rebellious and chaotic nature. The singer is calling for destruction, possibly as a way to break free from the mundanity of everyday life.


As the song progresses, the lyrics paint a picture of two people who are trying to escape - one from her family ("Take my hand now, love, down the stairs your father walks"), and the other from the confines of time ("Leave them behind, runnin' to the sea"). Throughout the song, there is a sense of desperation and a desire to break free from the constraints of the world around them, even if it means leaving everything behind.


The final line of the song - "No matter what they say, I can make you stay" - suggests that the singer is trying to convince someone to stay with them, despite the risks and uncertainties of the unknown. The song leaves the listener with a feeling of uncertainty and a sense of rebellion, echoing the themes present throughout the rest of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Burn it all up
Destroy everything around us


Hanging in the street
Objects or people hung in public as a warning or punishment


Enlightenment
A state of being enlightened or gaining understanding of a certain topic


Whining, mercy me
Expressing sorrow or distress


Take my hand now, love
An offer to provide protection, support, or guidance


Down the stairs, your father walks
Referring to a parental figure who may disapprove or prevent certain actions


I will lead the way
Taking responsibility for leading and paving the path


His hair is falling grey
Referring to an aging parental figure


Leave them behind
Leaving behind people or things that may hinder progress


Runnin' to the sea
Escaping to a new place, perhaps for a fresh start


Don't make a sound
Being secretive and cautious about plans and actions


Twitching silently
Nervousness or anticipation without obvious outward signs


No matter what they say,
Ignoring outside opinions or judgments


I can make you stay
Promising to provide a safe and secure space for someone to remain




Contributed by Mason Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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