Imitation of the Sky

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of collective mourning for a figure named Susie High, who was once a celebrated "apple of their eye" and "lover." Her absence is deeply felt, transforming her from a vibrant presence to "no more than a memory." The repeated phrase "This is the mourning of Susie High" underscores the pervasive grief and the finality of her loss, suggesting a shared experience of sorrow among the speakers. The central tension arises from Susie's ambitious pursuit of flight, described as "living lighter than a feather" and being a "champion of aeronautic minds." This ambition, however, led to her downfall, symbolized by her falling "into the Rhine." The lyrics question the nature of her ambition, calling it "a bastard" and suggesting that her attempt to "fly beyond the ocean" was a fatal endeavor, leaving those who believed in her feeling let down. The most striking image is Susie being "a walking imitation of the sky." This phrase suggests she was someone who embodied aspiration, freedom, and perhaps even a touch of the divine or unattainable. Her "mechanical mistress wings" hint at an inventive spirit, but her ultimate fate, falling from her lofty ambitions, contrasts sharply with the boundless nature of the sky she emulated. The lyrics also play with the idea of her potential return, questioning if "every bird" might be Susie, blurring the lines between her legend and reality. This song's power lies in its elegiac tone and the specific imagery of Susie's rise and fall. The repetition of her name and the phrase of mourning creates a ritualistic feel, emphasizing the depth of the loss. The contrast between her soaring ambition and her tragic end, coupled with the lingering question of her presence in nature, makes her story resonate as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked aspiration and the profound impact of losing someone who seemed to touch the heavens.