My Big Nurse
byrne david and brian eno Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all the world's desires
When he shakes the stars above
When we lose the ones we love
When the seasons lose their grip
When the tightrope walker slips
When the past becomes the now
When the lost becomes the found
When we fall in love with war
When the angel fucks the whore
When the road we travel on
Takes us back where we came from
A million kinds of possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon
In the comfort of the world
In the arms of my big nurse
From the science of the heart
To each animal and plant
Compact, relaxed, intact, give thanks
I'm counting all the possibilities
For dancing on this lazy afternoon
The song "My Big Nurse" by David Byrne and Brian Eno is a reflection on the state of the world as it currently exists. The lyrics mention a range of events and phenomena, from the loss of loved ones to the seasons losing their grip, to falling in love with war. These events are described in a disconnected, stream-of-consciousness way, suggesting the chaotic nature of life as it is experienced by the songwriter. Throughout, the lyrics are marked by a sense of uncertainty and instability, as the singer attempts to navigate the complexities of existence.
The final verse of the song is marked by a shift in tone, as the lyrics move from describing chaotic events to celebrating the simple pleasures of life. The singer finds comfort in the world and in the arms of their "big nurse," perhaps a metaphor for a stable force in the world that can be relied upon. The lyrics express gratitude for the world as it is, with all its faults and complications.
Overall, "My Big Nurse" is a contemplative song that grapples with the complexities of life and the world we inhabit. It suggests that while there are a million kinds of possibilities for struggle and chaos, there are also opportunities for joy and celebration, particularly in the small moments of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
When the lake's on fire
When passions run high and everything feels intense and overwhelming
With all the world's desires
Amidst a global culture of seeking fulfillment and satisfaction in life
When he shakes the stars above
When a higher power disrupts our world, whether through natural or supernatural means
When we lose the ones we love
When we experience the profound grief of losing people we care about deeply
When the seasons lose their grip
When weather patterns become unpredictable and disrupt our sense of stability and predictability
When the tightrope walker slips
When people who are seen as skilled, confident, and in control falter and make mistakes
I'm counting all the possibilities
I am considering all the different ways that life can unfold, for better or for worse
When the past becomes the now
When events or memories from the past resurface and impact our present
When the lost becomes the found
When things or people we thought were gone forever suddenly reappear and rekindle hope
When we fall in love with war
When we become enamored with conflict and violence, either on a personal or global scale
When the angel fucks the whore
When some individuals engage in behavior that is perceived as immoral or hypocritical
When the road we travel on takes us back where we came from
When life seems cyclical and we find ourselves returning to familiar situations or patterns
A million kinds of possibilities
There are countless different ways that life could unfold, and we are aware of this potential
For dancing on this lazy afternoon
Despite the challenges and uncertainties we face, we are still able to find joy and ease in the present moment
In the comfort of the world
In a space where we feel at ease and secure, surrounded by things that nourish and support us
In the arms of my big nurse
Feeling held and comforted by a powerful, nurturing force (whether an actual nurse or a metaphorical representation)
From the science of the heart
Drawing upon our emotional intelligence and understanding of human connection and empathy
To each animal and plant
Extending our empathy and compassion to all living beings on the planet
Compact, relaxed, intact, give thanks
Being grateful for being whole, centered, and at peace, even amidst life's difficulties
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind