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.
Full Flower
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I saw the room shift
And I watched my television flicker
And I let my mind drift
I would give anything in the world up for you
But I will not stop
And I saw the screen glow
And I let my arm fall to my side
And I took one step back
I would give anything in the world up for you
But I will not stop
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats’ “Full Flower” are a display of raw and unbridled emotion. The singer describes a state of mind where everything is blurry, and they let their mind drift. This could be interpreted as a moment of emotional distress where the person is struggling to keep a grip on reality. As the ceiling spins and the room shifts, it seems as though the singer is losing control. However, it is interesting to note that these lines are followed by a statement of determination: “But I will not stop”. This suggests that even in the throes of confusion, there is an underlying strength.
As the song progresses, the singer sees a blossom form and a screen glow. It is unclear what these images symbolize. They could represent hope and inspiration or the opposite, a reminder of the superficiality of modern life. Nevertheless, the singer remains steadfast in their resolve to stay committed. They would give “anything in the world up” for their loved one, but they will not stop. The repetition of this line throughout the song reinforces the singer’s commitment.
Overall, “Full Flower” is a complex and emotional song that speaks to the fragility of the human mind and the power of commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw the ceiling spin
I was in a state of disorientation and confusion
And I saw the room shift
My surroundings were in constant flux, adding to my disorientation
And I watched my television flicker
My mind was easily distracted by the flickering of a television screen
And I let my mind drift
I allowed my thoughts to wander aimlessly
I would give anything in the world up for you
I am willing to make sacrifices for the person I care for
But I will not stop
I am determined to continue moving forward in pursuit of my love
I saw the blossom form
I witnessed the birth and growth of something beautiful
And I saw the screen glow
I was faced with the mesmerizing light emitted from a screen
And I let my arm fall to my side
I allowed myself to relax and let go of physical tension
And I took one step back
I retreated momentarily in order to gather myself
Contributed by Lucy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.