Auden grew up in Birmingham in a professional middle class family and read English literature at Christ Church, Oxford. His early poems, written in the late 1920s and early 1930s, alternated between telegraphic modern styles and fluent traditional ones, were written in an intense and dramatic tone, and established his reputation as a left-wing political poet and prophet. He became uncomfortable in this role in the later 1930s, and abandoned it after he moved to the United States in 1939, where he became an American citizen in 1946. His poems in the 1940s explored religious and ethical themes in a less dramatic manner than his earlier works, but still combined traditional forms and styles with new forms devised by Auden himself. In the 1950s and 1960s many of his poems focused on the ways in which words revealed and concealed emotions, and he took a particular interest in writing opera librettos, a form ideally suited to direct expression of strong feelings.
He was also a prolific writer of prose essays and reviews on literary, political, psychological and religious subjects, and he worked at various times on documentary films, poetic plays and other forms of performance. Throughout his career he was both controversial and influential. After his death, some of his poems, notably โFuneral Bluesโ (โStop all the clocksโ) and โSeptember 1, 1939โ, became widely known through films, broadcasts and popular media.
Ballad
W. H. Auden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On my best friends patio
Jump to
16 doing bumps off a key
In the goat house bathroom
Cops came, we had to go
18 off the LSD
Sittin' in a two seat
Chase thrills like i chased those pills
& the good Lord knows
This shit gets real
Chasing thrills, I was chasing thrills
I was chasing thrills
You know the deal, you know the deal
I was running, I was gunning
Had my own philosophy
If it made me feel like something once
It cant be bad for me
Go
19, it was me and Ashley loading up an IV
In a dollar tree parking lot
Once young under Carolina sun,
Had a hell of a run
The repercussions were an afterthought
21, I was so naive
Thinking somebody would ever come & save me
Vodka drowns out most of the problems
& Even warm those chills
This shit gets real
Chasing thrills, I was chasing thrills
I was chasing thrills
You know the deal, you know the deal
I was running, I was gunning
Had my own philosophy
If it made me feel like something once
It cant be bad for me
Go
The lyrics of W. H. Auden's song "Ballad" depict the experiences and choices made by the singer during their teenage and young adult years. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about their first encounter with marijuana at the age of 14, which took place on their best friend's patio. This sets the stage for a series of youthful escapades and experimentation.
At the age of 16, the singer describes using cocaine by snorting it off a key in the bathroom of a place referred to as the "goat house." This suggests a reckless and rebellious mindset, as the use of drugs is done in a clandestine manner. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when the police arrive, forcing them to leave.
As the singer reaches the age of 18, they mention trying LSD and experiencing the sensation of vertigo. This line implies that the singer was seeking intense experiences and enjoying the unpredictable effects of mind-altering substances. They acknowledge the dangers involved but continue to chase thrills and pills, fully aware that their actions could have consequences.
Moving forward to the age of 19, the singer recounts a scene where they and someone named Ashley were preparing to inject drugs intravenously in a parking lot. This portrays a deeper level of addiction and desperation as they indulge in risky behavior to fulfill their cravings. The mention of the Carolina sun and acknowledging their once-youthful innocence emphasizes the stark contrast between the past and present consequences.
Finally, at the age of 21, the singer reflects on their naivety, harboring hopes that someone would come and save them from their destructive path. Turning to alcohol, the singer uses vodka to temporarily numb their problems and momentarily alleviate their anxieties. They acknowledge the chilling effects that come with the choices they have made but continue to chase thrills, fully aware of the risks involved.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ballad" are a reflection on the singer's journey through addictive behaviors, substance abuse, and the pursuit of intense experiences. The song highlights the understanding that these actions have real consequences, yet the singer remains trapped in a cycle of seeking pleasure and momentarily escaping their problems, regardless of the potential harm caused to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I was 14 when I first smoked weed
At the age of 14, I experienced my first encounter with marijuana.
On my best friends patio
This happened in the outdoor space belonging to my closest friend.
Jump to
Skipping ahead to another significant moment in my life.
16 doing bumps off a key
When I reached the age of 16, I started snorting cocaine from a key.
In the goat house bathroom
This took place in the bathroom of a particular location or establishment known as the "goat house".
Cops came, we had to go
Law enforcement officers arrived, forcing us to leave the scene.
18 off the LSD
Upon turning 18, I experimented with the drug LSD.
Sittin' in a two seat
I found myself seated in a small space designed for only two people.
I was trippin off that vertigo
Under the influence, I was experiencing hallucinations and the sensation of dizziness.
Chase thrills like i chased those pills
I constantly sought excitement and danger, just as I pursued the consumption of prescription pills.
& the good Lord knows
The divine power is aware of my actions and intentions.
This shit gets real
The situation becomes intense and serious.
Chasing thrills, I was chasing thrills
My pursuit was focused on seeking intense sensations and excitement.
You know the deal, you know the deal
You understand the nature of my actions and motivations.
I was running, I was gunning
I was actively involved in a reckless and energetic lifestyle.
Had my own philosophy
I possessed a personal belief system and way of thinking.
If it made me feel like something once
If a particular substance or experience gave me a sense of significance or purpose in the past.
It cant be bad for me
I convinced myself that it couldn't have negative consequences for my well-being.
Go
Move forward or progress.
19, it was me and Ashley loading up an IV
At the age of 19, Ashley and I were preparing a syringe for intravenous drug use.
In a dollar tree parking lot
This took place in the parking area of a discount store called "Dollar Tree".
Once young under Carolina sun
In the past, when we were young and exposed to the sun in the state of Carolina.
Had a hell of a run
We had a remarkable and eventful period of time.
The repercussions were an afterthought
We didn't consider or fully comprehend the negative consequences that would follow.
21, I was so naive
By the time I turned 21, I lacked wisdom and understanding.
Thinking somebody would ever come & save me
Holding the belief that someone would eventually rescue me from my troubles or problems.
Vodka drowns out most of the problems
Consuming vodka helps to temporarily alleviate or suppress many of the issues I face.
& Even warm those chills
Additionally, it provides comfort and warmth against the feelings of fear or unease.
This shit gets real
The situation becomes intense and serious.
Chasing thrills, I was chasing thrills
My pursuit was focused on seeking intense sensations and excitement.
You know the deal, you know the deal
You understand the nature of my actions and motivations.
I was running, I was gunning
I was actively involved in a reckless and energetic lifestyle.
Had my own philosophy
I possessed a personal belief system and way of thinking.
If it made me feel like something once
If a particular substance or experience gave me a sense of significance or purpose in the past.
It cant be bad for me
I convinced myself that it couldn't have negative consequences for my well-being.
Go
Move forward or progress.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Marcus Rivers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind