Capricorn
Vampire Weekend Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can't reach the moon now
Can't turn the tide
The world looked different
When God was on your side
Who builds the future?
Do they care why?
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen clearly, you don't have to try

Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

Alone and wounded
But in my prime
I called the hospital
They didn't have the time
I'd seen it comin'
It's no surprise
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen clearly, you don't have to try

Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

A hundred dollars
On someone's dime
I looked for answers there
They weren't mine to find
Good days are comin'
Not just to die
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen, baby, you don't have to try

Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone




Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Capricorn" by Vampire Weekend touch on themes of struggle, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in life. The opening lines "Can't reach the moon now, Can't turn the tide, The world looked different when God was on your side" suggest a sense of lost hope and powerlessness. The reference to a time when "God was on your side" alludes to a time when things seemed more certain and secure, but that time has since passed, leaving the singer feeling adrift and unsure.


The chorus, which repeats the refrain "Capricorn, The year that you were born, Finished fast, And the next one wasn't yours," speaks to a sense of time slipping away and missed opportunities. The singer feels caught between being "Too old for dying young, Too young to live alone," highlighting a feeling of being in a liminal space where they don't quite belong. The image of "sifting through centuries for moments of your own" suggests a search for personal meaning and significance in a vast and indifferent world.


The second verse delves deeper into the singer's feelings of isolation and abandonment, as they reach out for help ("I called the hospital, They didn't have the time") and confront their own mortality and the lack of control over their fate. The repeated plea "you don't have to try" emphasizes a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if urging the listener to let go of their struggles and burdens.


The final verse introduces a glimmer of hope with the mention of "Good days are comin'," suggesting that despite the struggles and uncertainties, there is still potential for brightness and joy in the future. The closing lines reinforce the idea that the search for meaning and fulfillment is a lifelong journey, as the singer continues to sift through centuries for "moments of your own." The repetition of the chorus throughout the song serves to underscore the cyclical nature of life and the never-ending quest for understanding and peace.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't reach the moon now
Feeling like you can't achieve your dreams


Can't turn the tide
Unable to change the course of events


The world looked different when God was on your side
Feeling a sense of loss or change in perspective


Who builds the future? Do they care why?
Questioning the motives behind the creation of the future


I know you're tired of tryin', Listen clearly, you don't have to try
Encouraging someone to let go of their struggles and worries


Capricorn, The year that you were born, Finished fast, And the next one wasn't yours
Reflecting on the passage of time and missed opportunities


Too old for dyin' young, Too young to live alone, Sifting through centuries, For moments of your own
Navigating through life's challenges and searching for personal meaning


Alone and wounded, But in my prime, I called the hospital, They didn't have the time
Feeling isolated and overlooked when seeking help


I'd seen it comin', It's no surprise, I know you're tired of tryin', Listen clearly, you don't have to try
Accepting the inevitable and urging someone to find peace


A hundred dollars, On someone's dime, I looked for answers there, They weren't mine to find
Seeking answers and guidance but coming up empty handed


Good days are comin', Not just to die, I know you're tired of tryin', Listen, baby, you don't have to try
Holding onto hope for better days ahead and reassurance




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Written by: Chris Thompson, Ezra Koenig

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mackfromwayback

[Verse 1]
Can't reach the moon now
Can't turn the tide
The world looked different
When God was on your side
Who builds the future?
Do they care why?
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen clearly, you don't have to try

[Chorus]
Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

[Verse 2]
Alone and wounded
But in my prime
I called the hospital
They didn't have the time
I'd seen it comin'
It's no surprise
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen clearly, you don't have to try

[Chorus]
Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

[Verse 3]
A hundred dollars
On someone's dime
I looked for answers there
They weren't mine to find
Good days are comin'
Not just to die
I know you're tired of tryin'
Listen, baby, you don't have to try

[Chorus]
Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dyin' young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own

[Outro]
Capricorn
The year that you were born
Finished fast
And the next one wasn't yours
Too old for dying young
Too young to live alone
Sifting through centuries
For moments of your own



All comments from YouTube:

@JDfromTBC

"Too old for dying young, too young to live alone" GODDAMN

@TheBlueEyeBoy

up there with "I don't wanna live like this but I don't wanna die"

@40YearOldSkateVirgin

Too old for Diane Young

@plasticbleach4004

I initially heard it as "Too old for Diane Young" :|||

@michaelskurski912

That's what 60s LA playboy bob markley of west coast pop art experimental band felt like why he was attracted to younger girls

@andrewhedstrom4113

I was having a good day until I heard that line

29 More Replies...

@galoorozco3314

welcome back vampire weekend you’ve been missed

@MUFColin

tears in my eyes we are so back

@aethionr4478

GGMU but are you eth in or out?

@CoconutJewce

@@aethionr4478 Gotta be in at this point.

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