Todd's Ship Gods
Type O Negative Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Giant living there I used to know
Author of the testosterone scriptures
Where did you go?
Now I remember what you told me that time
Falling from my bike,
scraping my knee
keep it from sunshine,
So no one sees
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man
See little boy hiding amongst shadows
Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain
From the storms predicted by the Tarot
Pray for the rain
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man
The lyrics of Type O Negative's "Todd's Ship Gods" is a poignant reflection on the ideas of masculinity and vulnerability. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of industrial labor, an "author of the testosterone scriptures" and a "giant" that the singer once knew but has now disappeared. This image of the fading, former glory of the masculine ideal is associated with the memories of a personal conversation between the two, related to embracing pain and not showing weakness. This advice, to "keep it from sunshine so no one sees," is seen as a learned behavior by the singer, who would not cry but instead "be a man."
However, the song takes a twist as the singer acknowledges that this kind of repressed masculinity can claim collateral damage. The second verse touches on the idea that by attempting to mold boys into idealized versions of traditional masculinity, it impairs their ability to express their emotions and their vulnerability. The line "See little boy hiding amongst shadows / Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain" paints a picture of a child ashamed of his emotions, perhaps because he has been taught to believe that vulnerability is weakness. The song ends with the repeated refrain "I won't cry / Above all things boy, be a man," as though the singer is struggling with the conflict between the message he has internalized and the recognition that it is illusory.
Line by Line Meaning
Grease, sweat, coffee, faded shipyard pictures
The singer describes the setting of the song, a shipyard, using sensory details
Giant living there I used to know
The singer reminisces about someone they knew who was once a big part of their life
Author of the testosterone scriptures
The person the singer knew used to have a macho, dominant personality
Where did you go?
The artist wonders what happened to the person they knew
Now I remember what you told me that time
The artist recalls a specific piece of advice the person they knew gave them
Falling from my bike, scraping my knee
The singer remembers a time when they got hurt and needed emotional support
If you're gonna weep, keep it from sunshine, So no one sees
The advice the singer received was to hide their emotions and not show vulnerability
I won't cry Above all things boy, be a man
The artist internalized the advice and now believes that crying is a sign of weakness
See little boy hiding amongst shadows
The artist imagines a young boy who is ashamed of showing emotion
Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain
The boy is afraid that crying will reveal deep-seated emotional problems
From the storms predicted by the Tarot
The boy believes that his hidden pain is inevitable and inescapable, like a foretold storm
Pray for the rain
The boy hopes that by praying for an emotional release, he can avoid being overwhelmed by his pain
I won't cry Above all things boy, be a man
The advice to hide emotions and be tough is reinforced, showing how it affects multiple generations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER THOMAS STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
k 2
Grease, sweat, coffee, faded shipyard pictures
Giant living there I used to know
Author of the testosterone scriptures
Where did you go?
Now I remember what you told me that time
Falling from my bike,
scraping my knee
If you're gonna weep,
keep it from sunshine,
So no one sees
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man
See little boy hiding amongst shadows
Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain
From the storms predicted by the Tarot
Pray for the rain
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man
ShadowbirdX24
"Giant living there i used to know" this song is one of my favorite songs,i lost my father about 5 yrs ago & this song brings me peace when i listen to it.
"I wont Cry"... Thank You Peter for heping me deal with loss
Biffa Bacon
all my best to you for your loss
TheStepmonkey
Im sorry for your loss, he is in a better place watching over you.🕊️
kulerage
Would I be met with disagreement if I said this was one of Type O's most beautiful songs?
For The Love Of Noise
only by fools
Tristin471
Not at all. It’s a great song!
TheStepmonkey
You've good taste👌 This is in my top 3 TON songs💚
Jessie Hermit
Not by me.
What
If you are listening to this like I am then disagreement would love to meet you
k 2
Grease, sweat, coffee, faded shipyard pictures
Giant living there I used to know
Author of the testosterone scriptures
Where did you go?
Now I remember what you told me that time
Falling from my bike,
scraping my knee
If you're gonna weep,
keep it from sunshine,
So no one sees
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man
See little boy hiding amongst shadows
Ashamed of tears exposing ancient pain
From the storms predicted by the Tarot
Pray for the rain
I won't cry
Above all things boy, be a man