Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a portrait of an enigmatic figure, a "strange subject" whose very existence defies conventional understanding. The initial description, "with a beard, in the eyes, on the face of salt and more," immediately establishes a sense of mystery and perhaps a weathered, almost elemental nature. This strangeness is amplified by paradoxical imagery, like the idea of "raining without getting wet," suggesting a being that operates outside the normal rules of reality. The narrator seems captivated, trying to grasp the essence of this unusual individual.
The central tension lies in the narrator's attempt to define and comprehend this "strange subject," who is simultaneously a "boy strange, a man size." There's a sense of an inherent, almost magnetic force at play, described as a "whirlwind" that "pulls more." This pull is further emphasized by the evocative image of "the moon I carry on my fingers," which seems to draw both the narrator and the subject deeper into this inexplicable connection. The repetition of "and more" throughout the verses acts as a persistent amplifier, suggesting an unending quality to the subject's strangeness and the narrator's fascination.
The most striking aspect of the writing is its use of surreal and impossible comparisons to convey the subject's unique aura. The comparison to an "Indian who could try to be like he was" hints at a primal, perhaps untamed, essence that is difficult to emulate or even fully grasp. The concluding line, "as if it had never been before," reinforces the idea that this encounter, or this subject, is unprecedented and utterly singular, leaving a lasting impression of profound otherness.
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