Born out of the ashes of seminal art thrashers Botch and Minneapolis punk h… Read Full Bio ↴Born out of the ashes of seminal art thrashers Botch and Minneapolis punk heroes Kill Sadie, Seattle's These Arms are Snakes have fast-become an integral part of the Pacific Northwest's ever-dynamic musical fabric. The band formed in Seattle, Washington in 2002 and began employing sinister guitar licks mixed with equal parts snarly vocals and a penchant for spaced out musical long form; painting the buzz-heavy Snakes as anything but conventional.

On January 15, 2010, the band released a statement announcing their end.

Brian Cook is now in Russian Circles.
Ryan Frederiksen is now in Narrows.
Steve Sneer is now in Crypts.

Mescaline Eyes
These Arms Are Snakes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Never mind the marrow of the program the bone was meant to be viewed
From a distance and if i bite my cheeks long enough i figure i could
Eat right through the skin
So breath slow and gnaw on

And while you suck on your pills for your composure it's like a light
Just burnt out in your head.then while it nestes in your vertabrae im
Like and epideral harvesting

So breath slow then stop i'll take you in again your breathing pattern
Is key to this thearapy.then find your favorite vein and watch for the
Pulse yes there it is.now begin.
Treat it like a push pin push it till it gets in.
Rue for skin.tile for eyes.deep black gums changing you from the inside
You buried your self into your hands.it takes it all away.
May myself be caught in this i cam always look to the sky.pronounce the words softly and then breath slow.breath slow
It's just another way i'm going to have to carry you.
On a sling on a leash.it's got you in one it's got you in four.

So belittled your almost gone.
It takes the first spark to make it through the night.it takes all night just to get it right.it's right now.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Mescaline Eyes" by These Arms Are Snakes depict the singer's struggle with addiction and self-destructive behavior. The first stanza sets the tone, musing on the superficiality of the world and how people tend to focus on the surface instead of delving deeper. The singer suggests that they could eat through their skin to get to the marrow, emphasizing a desire to reach something raw and essential. The second stanza references the 'pills' the singer takes to maintain composure, but they are described as burning out the light in their head. The singer aims to distract the singer from the pills and their harmful effects. They suggest that breathing slowly and focusing on physical sensations can help distract from the mental anguish. The third stanza depicts the singer taking control, reminding the singer to focus on their breathing pattern and then describing a process of injecting a substance through a vein, digging in deep with a push pin. The imagery is visceral and hints at the painful process of finding relief from addiction. The song suggests that in the search for something raw and real, there is pain and suffering involved, but that it is necessary to make it through.

The repetition of "breath slow" throughout the song acts as a reminder to the listener to slow down and focus on their breath, perhaps to calm the mind or to feel the physical sensation more keenly. The use of metaphors and vivid imagery adds to the sensory experience of the song and the struggle that the singer is facing. The repeating last lines of the song, "It takes the first spark to make it through the night. It takes all night just to get it right. It's right now," seem to suggest that finding a way through addiction or self-destructive behavior is a slow process that takes time and commitment.

Line by Line Meaning

Never mind the marrow of the program the bone was meant to be viewed
Don't worry about understanding the details of the program, just focus on the overall picture

From a distance and if i bite my cheeks long enough i figure i could Eat right through the skin
If I keep my distance and remain patient, I can achieve my goals through dedication and persistence

So breath slow and gnaw on
Take your time and focus on the task at hand

And while you suck on your pills for your composure it's like a light Just burnt out in your head.then while it nestes in your vertabrae im Like and epideral harvesting
Your attempts to calm yourself with medication only serve to numb your mind, while I extract what I need from you

So breath slow then stop i'll take you in again your breathing pattern Is key to this thearapy.then find your favorite vein and watch for the Pulse yes there it is.now begin. Treat it like a push pin push it till it gets in.
Control your breathing and focus on the therapy process. Once we find the right spot, insert the needle with precision

Rue for skin.tile for eyes.deep black gums changing you from the inside You buried your self into your hands.it takes it all away.
The effects of the drug are taking hold, altering your physical appearance and taking away your worries

May myself be caught in this i cam always look to the sky.pronounce the words softly and then breath slow.breath slow
Even though I am part of this process, I can still find solace and strength in spirituality. Take deep breaths to stay calm

It's just another way i'm going to have to carry you. On a sling on a leash.it's got you in one it's got you in four. So belittled your almost gone.
I will have to take control of you and lead you through this process, as you become weaker and more dependent

It takes the first spark to make it through the night.it takes all night just to get it right.it's right now.
The initial push is crucial for success, but it takes time and effort to achieve the desired outcome. The time is now to make it happen

Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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