Originally from the prairies of Canada, she is now based in Sweden. She has recorded 5 albums, contributed her music to indie films, dance and theatre productions, and toured in North America, Europe, Brazil, and Japan.
Némesis
Wendy McNeill Lyrics
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Some quickly some slow
They drink their coffee eat bread
Read the paper shake heads --they say
"How can they do that"
"No better then rats"
What's that the pot calling the kettle black
And all the while the sun is rising
The mills of god grind slowly
Through this land of the high and the holy
Sharp witted but not clear
Focused in on the snows of last year
Eyes of amber feet of lead
Loves nectar soon dead
Will you change it the last words said
And all the while the sun is rising
Slowly deeply i will be the change i want to see
It's not easy but i will be the change i want to see
She wears a pendant around her neck
But it hasn't penetrated her heart yet
Where's justice what's law
The first witness the last draw
Suddenly there wad a pain in her chest
Where the emerald finally settled to rest
A tear washed things clear
There's only one of us here
And through us the sun is rising
Though circuitous and obscure
The feet of nemesis how sure
There's a rumble there's a call
Come one come all
There's only one of us here
Slowly deeply i will be the change i want to see
It's not easy but i will be the change i want to see
. And though circuitous and obscure
The feet of Nemesis how sure! Sir William Watson: Europe at the Play
Retributive justice generally, as 'the Nemesis of Nations', the fate
Which sooner or later overtakes every great nation.
The mills of God grind slowly.
--Retribution may be delayed, but it is sure to overtake the wicked
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small;
Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.
Longfellow: Retribution
Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Mohandas Gandhi
The lyrics of Wendy McNeill's song Nemesis talk about the judgmental nature of people and their tendency to criticize others without realizing their own flaws. The song starts with the singer observing people coming and going, sipping coffee, reading the newspaper, and passing judgment on their fellow beings. The singer notes that while these people criticize others for being no better than rats, they fail to recognize their own shortcomings, which is like the pot calling the kettle black. The song highlights the irony of the situation where people are quick to criticize others but don't see their own faults.
The song then takes a philosophical turn and talks about the slow and circuitous nature of Nemesis, which is the Greek goddess of retribution. The singer notes that Nemesis's feet are sure and that retribution may be delayed, but it's sure to overtake the wicked. The singer talks about being the change one wants to see in the world, which reflects Mohandas Gandhi's famous quote. The song concludes with the singer observing that there's only one of us here, and through us, the sun is rising. It's a call for people to introspect, recognize their flaws, and be the catalyst for positive change in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I watch them come i watch them go
Observing people's actions
Some quickly some slow
Behavior varies
They drink their coffee eat bread
People meet their basic needs
Read the paper shake heads --they say
Reacting to the news
"How can they do that"
Questioning others' actions
"No better than rats"
Making derogatory comments about others
What's that the pot calling the kettle black
Irony of criticizing others for something you also do
And all the while the sun is rising
Life goes on
The mills of God grind slowly
Retribution takes time
Through this land of the high and the holy
No one is above karma
Sharp witted but not clear
Intelligent but indecisive
Focused in on the snows of last year
Stuck in the past
Eyes of amber feet of lead
Conflicted and slow-moving
Loves nectar soon dead
Love is fleeting
Will you change it the last words said
Questioning whether one can make a difference
Slowly deeply i will be the change i want to see
Commitment to personal growth
It's not easy but i will be the change i want to see
Acknowledgement that change is difficult
She wears a pendant around her neck
Appearances can be deceiving
But it hasn't penetrated her heart yet
Lack of deep understanding
Where's justice what's law
Questioning the legal system
The first witness the last draw
Justice is served
Suddenly there was a pain in her chest
Epiphany or realization
Where the emerald finally settled to rest
Symbolic representation of the realization
A tear washed things clear
Cathartic experience
There's only one of us here
Humanity is interconnected
And through us the sun is rising
Life goes on
Though circuitous and obscure
Complicated and unclear
The feet of Nemesis how sure
Retribution is inevitable
There's a rumble there's a call
Impending change
Come one come all
Invitation for everyone to join
Slowly deeply i will be the change i want to see
Commitment to personal growth
It's not easy but i will be the change i want to see
Acknowledgement that change is difficult
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.