Snowblind

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a darkly comic, almost fable-like picture of transactional relationships and the blindness of infatuation. We see Fallbrook Sedgewynd showering gifts on Nancy – from practical ringnecks to decadent eggs and emeralds – attempting to elicit a response, but receiving only indifference. The narrative then shifts to Rosie, who also receives elaborate gifts, sonnets and all, but offers even less in return, just a fleeting glance. The repetition of "neither nods nor time of day" and "neither hugs nor cozy chats" highlights the one-sided nature of these affections. The central, repeated refrain, "Love is nasty, love is so blind / Love shall make us all go snowblind," serves as the grim thesis. It suggests that love, or at least the pursuit of it depicted here, is not a gentle, reciprocal force but a destructive, blinding one. The phrase "snowblind" is particularly potent, evoking a sense of disorientation and an inability to see clearly, leading one into danger. This isn't about romantic bliss; it's about a dangerous, self-imposed delusion. The most striking turn comes with the introduction of the bear. Sedgewynd's final, bizarre gift – a bear fed honey – seems to be a desperate, absurd act. The lyrics then take a sharp, violent pivot: the bear, unafraid of "Hades," devours the ladies. This surreal, shocking image suggests that the blindness of love, when pushed to its extreme, leads not just to personal disappointment but to literal annihilation, a brutal consequence for Sedgewynd's misguided affections. This narrative's effectiveness lies in its escalating absurdity and the stark contrast between the elaborate, often bizarre gifts and the utter lack of genuine connection. The simple, almost nursery-rhyme structure clashes with the dark, violent outcome, making the final lines about the bear and the eaten ladies all the more jarring and memorable. It’s a cautionary tale where the pursuit of affection leads to a literal, fatal blindness.