Posterity Is Just Around the Corner

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a disorienting, almost absurdly cheerful embrace of the concept of "posterity." Initially, it's a distant, anticipated arrival, a phrase repeated like a mantra by various groups. This creates a sense of impending, perhaps inevitable, future. The arrival of posterity is framed as a positive, almost guaranteed event, especially when linked to the birth of a baby, suggesting a natural, biological progression. The central tension arises from the shift from "just around the corner" to "Posterity is here." This transition is jarring, amplified by the almost dismissive line, "It really doesn't pay to be a mourner." The lyrics suggest that the arrival of posterity isn't a somber event to be lamented, but something to be celebrated, even if its implications are unclear. The repeated, almost nonsensical "oom-pah" chant further underscores a feeling of manufactured festivity or a forced march towards this future. The most striking craft element is the relentless repetition of the titular phrase, "Posterity is just around the corner," which morphs into "Posterity is here." This linguistic loop creates a sense of inescapable momentum. The juxtaposition of grand pronouncements about posterity with mundane, almost childish imagery like "pulling plums like Jackie Horner" and the nonsensical chanting strips the concept of its gravitas, turning it into something both banal and vaguely unsettling. This lyrical approach is effective because it satirizes the way grand societal concepts can be reduced to catchy slogans and hollow celebrations. The constant, upbeat repetition, coupled with the lack of any real substance or emotional depth, creates a feeling of unease beneath the surface of forced optimism. It leaves the listener questioning what "posterity" truly means when it's reduced to a jingle and a baby.