Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a stark picture of isolation and societal rejection, even when gathered together. The opening lines, "All together, all alone," immediately establish a paradox of communal solitude, suggesting that physical proximity offers no real solace or sense of belonging. The idea that "Places can not claim us home" reinforces this feeling of rootlessness, as if the speakers are adrift, unable to find any anchor in the world.
The central tension arises from the repeated imagery of people leaving – "Fishwives leave the gutters," "Mothers leave their sons." This exodus highlights a societal breakdown or a deliberate casting out of certain groups. The "curious men / With their curious smiles" who "Leave rejected in pairs / One by one" seem to be both observers and agents of this rejection, their smiles hinting at a detached, perhaps even predatory, amusement at the misfortune of others. This creates a sense of pervasive judgment and exclusion.
The craft of the lyrics leans heavily on stark, almost brutal, imagery and a sense of resigned repetition. The phrase "Feeding stranger lusts in dark / Cornered each in alley park" is particularly potent, suggesting exploitation and a lack of agency. The repeated chorus, detailing the departures and the "curious men," acts like a refrain of doom, emphasizing the inescapable nature of their plight. The final, fragmented "We have..." section, trailing off into silence, powerfully conveys a sense of unfinished business, unspoken shame, or a loss of voice.
This writing is effective because it avoids explicit explanation, instead relying on evocative, unsettling images to convey a profound sense of alienation and vulnerability. The ambiguity of who "we" are and why they are being rejected allows the listener to project their own experiences of marginalization onto the narrative. The unresolved ending leaves a lingering feeling of unease, making the emotional impact of the lyrics resonate long after they conclude.
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