Guitarist Bob "Beano" Parker, who also played for other Vermont bands such as X-Tractions, Roman Shades, Gas and Oil, and Nation of Hate, died in January 2014. Vocalist Tom Curley has said that he doesn't think he will "ever be able to write another song without Beano. He was the best. He was Burlington.".
The Sun
Wards Lyrics
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Stretch out the hours like smoke
Like the sun I'm fevered white
If you could bathe in my heat would you let it soak
A flash of white
As you and i ascend through the clouds
I know it's just for now
I'm leaving too much room for doubt
Leave this situation maybe I can swim the song
I've been asleep while you're gliding
Swallowing days while you taste the fruit
Take me to her now
Crystal waters and her summer sun
I'm walking around in a haze
Andy's calling from the stage
Telling me to lose myself
But I can't find myself to lose myself
Or lose myself to find myself
I'm in pieces but I see you whole
I could soften to your glow
I'm envying those about whom nothing I know
I gotta walk on to get gone
Leave this situation maybe I can swim the song
I've been asleep while you're gliding
Swallowing days while you taste the fruit
Take me to her now
Crystal waters and her summer sun
The lyrics of Ward's song "The Sun" depict a desire to prolong and savor the joyous moments of summer. The opening line, "Can we make this summer last," expresses a wish to extend the season's fleeting beauty. The comparison of stretching out the hours like smoke suggests a desire to make time appear slower and more fluid.
The line "Like the sun I'm fevered white" symbolizes the intense passion and heat one feels during the summer. The singer wonders if someone else, represented by "you," would be willing to immerse themselves in this heat, metaphorically asking if they would be open to experiencing the singer's intensity.
The next section speaks of an ephemeral connection between the singer and "you" as they ascend through the clouds. This fleeting moment is acknowledged as temporary, with the phrase "just for now" expressing an awareness of its transitory nature. However, doubt arises within the singer, suggesting a lack of confidence that this connection can be sustained.
The singer then decides to leave their current situation and embark on a journey. The imagery of walking and swimming the song implies a search for resolution and escape. The line "swallowing days while you taste the fruit" highlights the contrast between the singer's detachment and "you" fully enjoying life's experiences.
The lyrics shift focus in the next section, as the singer envies those who seem complete and content. They express a desire to soften to the glow of another person's happiness. The phrase "in pieces but I see you whole" suggests a yearning for unity and a longing to find oneself through connection with another.
The repetition of the phrase "lose myself to find myself" captures the struggle to balance individuality and the desire for connection. The singer acknowledges being lost in a haze, symbolizing a lack of clarity or direction. All the while, someone named Andy is calling from the stage, urging the singer to lose themselves. However, the singer expresses a difficulty in finding themselves to begin with.
The song concludes with a plea to be taken to a place with crystal waters and the warmth of the summer sun. This longing for a serene and joyous environment suggests a desire for tranquility and escape from the haze of confusion and doubt expressed throughout the song. Overall, the lyrics convey a yearning for connection, escapism, and a search for one's identity amidst the fleeting beauty of summer.
Line by Line Meaning
Can we make this summer last
Can we prolong the enjoyment and freedom of this season
Stretch out the hours like smoke
Extend the passage of time like the lingering presence of smoke
Like the sun I'm fevered white
Similar to the intense heat of the sun, I am overwhelmed and restless
If you could bathe in my heat would you let it soak
If you could immerse yourself in my intensity, would you embrace it fully
A flash of white
A sudden and bright burst of light
As you and i ascend through the clouds
As we rise above the uncertainties and distractions
I know it's just for now
I am aware that this temporary state won't last indefinitely
I'm leaving too much room for doubt
I'm creating uncertainty and insecurity by not taking decisive action
I gotta walk on to get gone
I need to keep moving forward to escape from this situation
Leave this situation maybe I can swim the song
If I leave this circumstance, perhaps I can fully embrace the rhythm and flow of life
I've been asleep while you're gliding
While you are moving effortlessly and gracefully, I have been unaware and dormant
Swallowing days while you taste the fruit
While you enjoy and savor each moment, I am simply going through the motions without truly experiencing
Take me to her now
Bring me to the presence of someone who embodies serenity and joy
Crystal waters and her summer sun
The clear and pure waters along with the radiant sun of her presence
I'm walking around in a haze
I am moving aimlessly and without clear direction
Andy's calling from the stage
Andy is urging me to let go and lose myself in the moment
Telling me to lose myself
Encouraging me to abandon self-consciousness and surrender to the experience
But I can't find myself to lose myself
I am unable to discover my true identity in order to relinquish it
Or lose myself to find myself
I must let go of my ego and attachments to discover my authentic self
I'm in pieces but I see you whole
Even though I feel fragmented, I perceive your completeness
I could soften to your glow
I could become gentler and more receptive to your radiant presence
I'm envying those about whom nothing I know
I am envious of those who seem content and fulfilled, despite knowing little about them
I gotta walk on to get gone
I need to keep moving forward to escape from this situation
Leave this situation maybe I can swim the song
If I leave this circumstance, perhaps I can fully immerse myself in the harmonious flow of life
I've been asleep while you're gliding
While you are moving effortlessly and gracefully, I have been unaware and dormant
Swallowing days while you taste the fruit
While you enjoy and savor each moment, I am simply going through the motions without truly experiencing
Take me to her now
Bring me to the presence of someone who embodies serenity and joy
Crystal waters and her summer sun
The clear and pure waters along with the radiant sun of her presence
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: David Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jonathan Graham
I love this tune..