The Repudiated Immortals
of Montreal Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The creator of what's now cliche had some funny words to say
?All you little things are incomplete?
Why did he speak of us that way?
I don't cry not 'cause I don't care
It's very hard to feel the way we used to feel up there
The creator of what's now cliche
Wants us little things to cry and feel alone
But don't don't lose hope no no no no
No no no don't feel sad 'cause it's a violent world
But there's still beauty
I'll take care of you if you take care of me

I like to sit and listen to the sound
Of the snowflakes landing on the trees
But I can't get used to feeling cold
I can't get used to what has happened here to you and me




There's no escaping so I won't try
It's just the heaviness that comes with knowing you will never die

Overall Meaning

The Repudiated Immortals by of Montreal is a melancholic reflection on life and mortality. The opening lines are a direct reference to William Blake's famous quote, "To generalize is to be an idiot. To particularize is the alone distinction of merit." The singer ponders the ironic thought that the creator of something that has now become a cliche had once spoken of humanity as incomplete beings. The creator's statement implies that as finite beings, we cannot help but be flawed and is a reminder of our limitations. However, the singer wonders why the creator would speak of us, "little things," in such a way, leaving us alone to feel incomplete and distant.


The singer then mentions that they don't cry, not because they don't care, but because they find it hard to feel the way they used to feel. This line suggests that the singer finds it difficult to connect with their emotions since they have perhaps experienced too much pain and grief in their lifetime. The creator's words have made it even harder to feel anything at all, leaving them with a sense of loneliness and isolation. The singer then offers hope, despite the world being violent, there is still beauty in life, and they can take care of each other.


Overall, The Repudiated Immortals is a beautifully introspective song that deals with themes of mortality, the human condition, and our innate capacity to care for others.


Line by Line Meaning

The creator of what's now cliche had some funny words to say
The person who first introduced ideas that are now overused had a unique perspective


All you little things are incomplete
The singer feels that they and others are not whole or fully realized beings


Why did he speak of us that way?
The singer is questioning why the creator spoke about humanity in such a negative manner


I don't cry not 'cause I don't care
The artist is explaining that they don't cry due to emotional detachment


It's very hard to feel the way we used to feel up there
The artist longs for the emotional intensity they once felt


Wants us little things to cry and feel alone
The creator desires for humanity to suffer and feel isolated


But don't don't lose hope no no no no
The singer is encouraging others to remain optimistic despite difficult times


No no no don't feel sad 'cause it's a violent world
The artist acknowledges the harsh reality of the world, but urges others not to be consumed by sadness


But there's still beauty
The artist believes that beauty can be found amidst the violence and ugliness of the world


I'll take care of you if you take care of me
The artist proposes a mutual support system


I like to sit and listen to the sound
The singer finds serenity in the sound of snowflakes falling on trees


Of the snowflakes landing on the trees
The artist is specifically referencing the sound of snowflakes falling onto trees


But I can't get used to feeling cold
The singer cannot tolerate the physical sensation of coldness


I can't get used to what has happened here to you and me
The singer cannot come to terms with the events that have transpired in their life and the lives of others


There's no escaping so I won't try
The singer acknowledges that there is no escaping the harshness of reality


It's just the heaviness that comes with knowing you will never die
The artist feels weighed down by the realization that they will never be immortal




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN BARNES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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