Wolf Parade released their eponymous debut EP in 2003 with only Spencer, Dan and Arlen performing on it. After Hadji joined the group, they released another independent, self-titled EP in 2004. They were signed to Sub Pop by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse and released their first widely-distributed record, Wolf Parade EP. In September 2005 their debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary was released.
Apologies to the Queen Mary was given this name because, as in rock and roll tradition, Wolf Parade trashed the Queen Mary hotel. It was said that they trashed the hotel worse than any band before them.
Their second album, At Mount Zoomer, was released June 17, 2008, and third, Expo 86 on July 5, 2010. On November 29th 2010 Wolf Parade called an indefinite hiatus.
The haitus ended when the band released Cry Cry Cry on Oct 6, 2017.
Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
Wolf Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I got a fist
So I got a plan
It's the best that I can do
Now we'll say, "it's in God's hands"
But God doesn't always have the best goddamn plans, does he?
I ain't quite the beauty
Who pulls out two guns and shoots at the pretty, pretty view
I gotta get a new bell to ring
A new song to sing
A steady hand to ring
A readiness of things
A new plan to bring to the people
People I can trick them into thinking anything
Oh, and rust, it's just right in the light
It's gold, it's golden
Oh, I got water and holes in my hands
I'm a digger of holes in the land, of holes in
And you know it's the easiest way
And you know it's the easiest way
And you know it's the easiest way
And you know it's the easiest way, hey
So I go
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
I got water and I got holes, oh
La, la, la, la, la, la
The Sons and daughters of hungry ghosts, oh
La, la, la, la, la, la
I got water and I got holes, oh
La, la, la, la, la, la
The sons and daughters of hungry ghosts, oh ghosts, oh
La, la, la, la, la, la
I got water and I got holes, oh
La, la, la, la, la, la
The sons and daughters of hungry ghosts, oh, ghosts
So I got a hand (la, la, la, la, la, la)
So I got a fist
So I got a plan
It's the best I can do
Say, "it's in God's hands" (la, la, la, la, la, la)
But God doesn't always have the best goddamn plans, does he?
La, la, la, la, la, la
I can't believe in the guns, I can't believe in the view
I sing, sing, sing, la, la, la, la, la, la
I can't believe in those hunters and kings and you
Heard her sing la, la, la, la, la, la
I got a new plan to bring
I got a new song to sing, it goes
La, la, la, la, la, la
I got a new plan to bring and you know
And you know it's the easiest way (la, la, la, la, la, la)
And you know it's the easiest way (la, la, la, la, la, la)
And you know it's the easiest way (la, la, la, la, la, la)
And you know it's the easiest way (la, la, la, la, la, la)
So I go
At its core, "Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts" is a song about feeling lost, disconnected, and uncertain in a world that can often feel overwhelming and bleak. The lyrics speak to the struggle to find meaning, purpose, and hope in the face of such challenges. The line "now we'll say, 'it's in God's hands'/But God doesn't always have the best goddamn plans, does he?" captures this sentiment, as does the repeated refrain of "I got water and holes in my hands/I'm a digger of holes in the land of holes in/And you know it's the easiest way."
The song suggests that, in the face of such uncertainty and struggle, the simplest path may be to "trick" oneself and others into thinking that they have it under control, that they have a plan, that things will be okay. But the repetition of the line "the sons and daughters of hungry ghosts" implies that this is a shared struggle, one that we all face in some way.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a hand
I have some basic skills or abilities
So I got a fist
With my abilities, I can make a move or defend myself
So I got a plan
I have a strategy to go forward or achieve something
It's the best that I can do
I am doing my best with what I have
Now we'll say, "it's in God's hands"
We may defer to divine power for guidance or trust in fate
But God doesn't always have the best goddamn plans, does he?
Sometimes bad things happen and we question whether a higher power is responsible
I ain't quite the beauty
I am not physically attractive
Who pulls out two guns and shoots at the pretty, pretty view
I refuse to be blinded by superficial beauty and instead focus on deeper issues
I gotta keep thinking things, hunters and kings to block out the view
I need to concentrate on things that matter and ignore distractions
I gotta get a new bell to ring
I need to find a new way to get people's attention
A new song to sing
I need to create new ideas or messages to share
A steady hand to ring
I need to be confident and consistent in my actions
A readiness of things
I need to be prepared for whatever comes my way
A new plan to bring to the people
I need to come up with a fresh approach to connect with others
People I can trick them into thinking anything
It is easy to deceive people or manipulate their thoughts and beliefs
Oh, and rust, it's just right in the light
The decay or wear of something can become noticeable when exposed to illumination
It's gold, it's golden
Something can still have value even if it is tarnished or imperfect
Oh, I got water and holes in my hands
I have limited resources and abilities
I'm a digger of holes in the land, of holes in
I am working hard but not necessarily making progress
And you know it's the easiest way
Sometimes taking shortcuts or the path of least resistance is tempting
La, la, la, la, la, la
Repeating a nonsensical sound serves as a kind of mantra or coping mechanism
I got water and I got holes, oh
I am still struggling with limited resources and abilities
The Sons and daughters of hungry ghosts, oh
I and others like me are still searching for meaning or fulfillment
So I go
I will continue moving forward despite challenges
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arlen Thompson, Dan Boeckner, Hadji Bakara, Spencer Kyle Krug
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind