I Corinthians 13: 8-10
The Mountain Goats Lyrics


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we heard the rats in the rafters scurry by
and we wondered about the color of the sky outside
in warsaw in 1939
it was alright just to be alive
it was good that you were mine
and you held your hands up
to form a heart in the air
you held you hands up with your thumbs touching
they formed a heart in the air

through the peice missing in the brick wall
we had an excellent view of the soldiers coming down the wall
and you held your hands up where i could see them
in the dark and they formed a heart in the air
you held you hands up
and they formed a heart in the air





i heard the old songs radiating from you
i heard the old songs radiating from you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Mountain Goats' song "I Corinthians 13:8-10" paint a vivid picture set in Warsaw in 1939. The singer tells a tale of uncertainty and fear, as they hear the rats scurrying in the rafters and contemplate the color of the sky outside. Despite the turbulent times, there is a sense of gratitude for being alive and for the person they are with. The line "it was good that you were mine" reflects the singer's appreciation for their partner's presence during such trying times.


In the midst of chaos, there is a beautiful and poignant moment shared between the singer and their partner. As they look through a missing piece in a brick wall, they witness soldiers approaching. In this fleeting moment, the partner lifts their hands, forming a heart in the air, a symbol of love and unity. Even in the darkness, the hands held up in the shape of a heart signify a brief respite from the harsh reality they find themselves in, a moment of connection amidst the chaos.


The final lines of the song explore the power of music and how it can transcend time and space. The singer hears "the old songs radiating" from their partner, emphasizing the role of music as a source of comfort and strength. These songs, which carry a sense of history and collective memory, serve as a beacon of hope and tradition.


Line by Line Meaning

we heard the rats in the rafters scurry by
We were aware of the chaotic and unsettling circumstances surrounding us.


and we wondered about the color of the sky outside
Amidst the turmoil, we contemplated the beauty and uncertainty of the world beyond.


in warsaw in 1939
In the historical context of war-torn Warsaw during 1939.


it was alright just to be alive
The mere act of existence was a solace and source of comfort.


it was good that you were mine
Having you by my side brought a sense of stability and happiness.


and you held your hands up
You raised your hands, expressing vulnerability and openness.


to form a heart in the air
Arranging your hands to depict a symbol of affection and love.


you held you hands up with your thumbs touching
Your thumbs connected, symbolizing a unity and closeness between us.


they formed a heart in the air
The gesture of your hands created a visual representation of love and emotion.


through the piece missing in the brick wall
Observing the soldiers approaching through a gap in the wall.


we had an excellent view of the soldiers coming down the wall
We had a clear perspective on the impending danger of the approaching soldiers.


and you held your hands up where I could see them
You raised your hands in a way that caught my attention and ensured my understanding.


in the dark and they formed a heart in the air
Even in darkness and uncertainty, your hand gesture conveyed love and reassurance.


i heard the old songs radiating from you
I sensed a profound nostalgia and familiarity in the songs emanating from your being.


i heard the old songs radiating from you
I heard the echoes of the past and the emotional connection it brought through your music.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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