The lyrics of this song have always fascinated me. They're written almost like prose. There's got to be some grander meaning to the lyrics - is it a statement about conformity? Is it a diatribe against the oppressive nature of man? - but I don't know what it is.
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily
Joyfully, playfully watching me
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible
Logical, oh responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable
Clinical, oh intellectual, cynical
There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am
Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal, oh fanatical, criminal
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
Acceptable, respectable, oh presentable, a vegtable
But at night, when all the world's asleep
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am
I agree with both of your ideas, though I tend to agree with the second more. I think it approaches not the downfalls/complexity of society, but the idea of approaching those them.
Posted by: Glockenshpeal at November 19, 2005 09:28 PM