Song Meaning

Two figures, described as "two big babies," meet on a "winter's day" and decide to "get all dressed up to play." This initial image suggests a childlike innocence or perhaps a deliberate regression into immaturity. However, the moment they "went outside, never to return" introduces a chilling finality. The repeated assertion that "babies never learn" is juxtaposed with their actions, implying a destructive cycle or a refusal to acknowledge consequences, culminating in their perpetual "cry." The core tension arises from the stark contrast between the infantile "babies" persona and the grim, irreversible actions described. The lyrics pose a provocative question: "Who said babies never die?" This challenges the common perception of babies as purely innocent and immortal, suggesting instead a vulnerability to harm or a metaphorical death. The act of one "pushed the other down into the salty snow" is a brutal image, highlighting a betrayal and a sense of being forgotten, as "no one would ever know." The most striking craft element is the persistent, almost taunting repetition of "they cry and they cry" and the rhetorical question about babies dying. This creates a sense of inescapable sorrow and a dark, ironic commentary on perceived innocence. The phrase "laugh at who kisses them, times nine" adds another layer of unsettling ambiguity, hinting at a distorted form of affection or a perverse joy found in suffering. The lyrics suggest that these "babies" are trapped in a loop of destructive behavior and unending grief, where their perceived innocence offers no protection. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to subvert expectations of innocence and vulnerability. By framing destructive acts within the language of childhood, the song creates a disquieting atmosphere. The persistent crying and the questioning of mortality force the listener to confront a darker, more complex reality where even the most seemingly innocent can be perpetrators or victims of irreversible harm, forever caught in their sorrow.