Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
An Antidote for Strychnine
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save up some halibut bones in a jar
Scrape a winter's worth of salt deposits
From the rusty frame of my car
Ask the experts
Maybe they'll know
Call up my teacher in Cambridge
Throw white phosphorus in the fireplace
Look for clues in the embers
Call the hotline
Give them a phony last name
Try to find
An antidote for strychnine
Trying to find
An antidote for strychnine
Time's running short
Always seems to run shorter
Have some supplies sent
From up just past the northern border
Keep a line out
To the people who take the long view
Only share my research
With sick lab rats like me
Trapped behind the beakers
And the Erlenmeyer flasks
Cut off from the world, I may not ever get free
But I may
One day
Trying to find
An antidote for strychnine
Trying to find
An antidote for strychnine
So many suffering from the same affliction
Coming up on a breakthrough
The clock's ticking
Dig down amongst my calculations
Check my map
Up there on the surface
Everybody's getting ready for the bloodbath
Stem the tide, stem the tide
They're calling down for reinforcements
Trying to find
An antidote for strychnine
Trying to find
An antidote for strychnine
The lyrics to "An Antidote for Strychnine" by The Mountain Goats convey a sense of desperation and urgency in searching for a solution to a dangerous and deadly problem. The song starts with the singer resorting to unconventional methods, digging through garbage and collecting bones as if searching for a clue. They seek guidance and knowledge from experts, hoping that someone might have the answer they need. The mention of contacting a teacher in Cambridge suggests a scholarly approach and the use of white phosphorus in the fireplace indicates a desperate attempt to find any potential solution.
The lyrics continue with the singer feeling the pressure of time slipping away. They order supplies from the northern border, possibly indicating a need for rare or specialized components. The reference to keeping a line out for those who take the long view suggests they are reaching out to individuals who have a broader perspective or extensive knowledge on the subject. However, the singer also feels isolated and trapped, comparing themselves to lab rats and emphasizing their separation from the world outside of their research.
The song ends in a poignant manner, expressing a glimmer of hope that one day they may find the antidote they are searching for. The repetition of the phrases "Trying to find, an antidote for strychnine" throughout the song emphasizes the urgency and determination of the singer's quest.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig around in the garbage
Search through discarded and overlooked things for valuable clues and resources.
Save up some halibut bones in a jar
Collect fragments of knowledge and experiences, no matter how small, for future use.
Scrape a winter's worth of salt deposits
Remove the accumulated pain and bitterness from the past, to start anew.
From the rusty frame of my car
From the neglected aspects of my life, find potential solutions and breakthroughs.
Ask the experts
Seek advice and guidance from knowledgeable individuals.
Maybe they'll know
Hope that the experts possess the answers and insights needed.
Call up my teacher in Cambridge
Reach out to someone who has provided guidance and education in the past.
See what he remembers
Discover if their memories hold valuable information that can aid in finding a solution.
Throw white phosphorus in the fireplace
Ignite a spark of inspiration and creativity to search for clues in the remnants.
Look for clues in the embers
Analyze the remnants of past experiences and lessons to find hints towards a solution.
Call the hotline
Contact the helpline or support system that can provide assistance in times of need.
Give them a phony last name
Protect one's identity and maintain anonymity while seeking help.
Try to find
Make concerted efforts and put forth determination to discover.
An antidote for strychnine
A remedy or solution to counteract the toxic effects of a destructive force or situation.
Time's running short
There is a sense of urgency and limited opportunity to find the solution.
Always seems to run shorter
The available time and chances continually decrease, increasing the pressure.
Have some supplies sent
Acquire necessary resources and tools from external sources.
From up just past the northern border
Obtain help and support from those who possess knowledge and solutions beyond one's immediate reach.
Keep a line out
Maintain communication channels with individuals taking a broader and long-term perspective.
To the people who take the long view
Connect with those who possess foresight, knowledge, and can offer valuable insights for a lasting solution.
Only share my research
Restrict the dissemination of findings and advancements to individuals who understand the struggle.
With sick lab rats like me
Share research and discoveries with fellow sufferers who can relate and benefit from the findings.
Trapped behind the beakers
Confined within the constraints of the scientific pursuit, searching for a breakthrough.
And the Erlenmeyer flasks
Engaged in the process of experimentation and analysis, seeking solutions and answers.
Cut off from the world, I may not ever get free
Isolated and detached from the outside world, with uncertain prospects of escaping the struggle.
But I may
Still, there remains a glimmer of hope and possibility for eventual liberation.
One day
In the future, a resolution and freedom from the ordeal may be achieved.
So many suffering from the same affliction
Numerous individuals experiencing the same detrimental circumstances and challenges.
Coming up on a breakthrough
Approaching a significant discovery or revelation that can lead to resolution.
The clock's ticking
Time is passing relentlessly, creating a sense of urgency and the need for swift action.
Dig down amongst my calculations
Delve deep into the meticulous analysis and computations in search of further insights.
Check my map
Review one's plans and strategies to ensure they align with the desired outcomes.
Up there on the surface
In the visible realm or surface level, people are preparing for a fierce struggle or conflict.
Everybody's getting ready for the bloodbath
People are gearing up for a brutal and intense battle or confrontation.
Stem the tide, stem the tide
Attempt to slow down or halt the overwhelming force or negative influence.
They're calling down for reinforcements
Summoning additional support and resources to aid in the fight against the destructive forces.
Lyrics © PACIFIC ELECTRIC MUSIC
Written by: John Darnielle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind