September by The Shins Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Love and Self-Reflection
Lyrics
Pontus kindly gave up a pearl
Of his eternal stone and mud
And ain’t she lovely bone and blood
Born of the sea
A thousand miles away from me
A court of angels
Ward of the sun
A future forming
A curse undone
Under our softly burning lamps she takes her time
Telling stories of our possible lives
And love is the ink in the well when her body writes
I’ve been selfish and full of pride
And she knows deep down there’s a little child
But I’ve got a good side to me as well
And it’s that she loves in spite of everything else
A song in the tree has distracted her mind
Some other curious form of life
Has made its presence to her known
And she coos so gently, soft and low
Her shining face in a million reflections
On tiny raindrops that fall in a veil
Over our city like notes from above
And it overwhelms me I just ain’t that tough
It’s not that the darkness can’t touch our lives
I know it will in time
But she’s no ordinary valentine
And now when the sun goes down she sheds a darling light
I’ve been selfish and full of pride
But she knows deep down there’s a little child
But I’ve got a good side to me as well
And it’s that she loves in spite of everything else
The Shins’ track ‘September’ is the sonic embodiment of nostalgic reminiscence and intimate self-reflection. Wrapped in harmonious melodies and embellished with poetic lyricism, the song stands as a testament to the band’s unique ability to craft songs that resonate on a deeply personal yet universally relatable level.
This psych-folk ballad, while seemingly simple on the surface, is a complex montage of emotions and themes, from the pain of distance to the beauty of love’s resilience. Let’s explore the intricate tapestry that is ‘September,’ hanging on the gallery wall of The Shins’ discography.
The Cosmic Ballet of ‘September’: A Universe Within a Song
When we dive into ‘September,’ we enter a peculiar yet familiar world. The song’s opening lines introduce us to a creation myth-like scene, as Pontus, the Greek god of the sea, presents a gift—a ‘pearl’ of human essence. It’s a striking beginning that underlines the ethereal roots of human origins and the connection to the natural world.
Here, the ‘lovely bone and blood’ emerge as dualistic themes reflecting humanity’s inherent beauty and the raw vulnerability of existence. The song subtly plays with this imagery of birth and being, neatly tying it to the cyclical nature of the earth, thus hinting at the themes of renewal and persistent change.
Distantly Intimate: The Paradox of Love and Separation
Profound love often stands defiantly in the face of physical distance—’A thousand miles away from me,’ utters the narrator, alluding to the agonizing stretch of space between lovers. Yet, this space is more than mere miles; it’s a metaphorical divide that must be traversed emotionally and spiritually.
The lyrics convey a sharp longing that is at once deeply personal to the narrator but resonates universally. The aching is tempered by an unspoken certainty—a ‘court of angels’ and a destiny unfolding, which insists that love persists beyond the constraints of the physical world.
Peeling Back the Ink: The Hidden Meanings of September
At its core, ‘September’ delves into the inkwell of the heart—where love is not just a feeling but an act of continuous creation, akin to storytelling. The significance of ‘love is the ink in the well’ speaks volumes about how the narrator appreciates the expressive depth their partner brings to their life.
‘When her body writes’ is not just the literal act of writing but a metaphor for existence itself—every action, every touch, is a stroke of that narrative. This realization of the communicative power of love draws us into a more profound contemplation of how we imprint upon each other.
A Chorus Among the Trees: The Memorable Line of September
‘A song in the tree has distracted her mind’—this lyric is a narrative pivot in the midst of ‘September.’ The attention to life’s simple wonders, like a songbird amidst the throes of life’s complexity, encapsulates a fundamental message of the song—the world continues its waltz around us, full of distractions, full of beauty, full of life.
It’s a memorable line because it encapsulates the essence of presentness and the continuous stream of intrigue that is life; it’s about being attuned to the small beauties around us, even as we brood on the grand scale of our own existence and relationships.
The Glowing Edge of Darkness: Understanding Resilience in Duality
‘It’s not that the darkness can’t touch our lives; I know it will in time’—here, The Shins present us with the duality of life and love. Darkness is inevitable, an intrinsic part of our journey. Yet, there’s an optimism that glows through the acknowledgment of our shared vulnerabilities.
The song suggests that even if darkness is inherent in our existence, it’s the personal valentines—the treasured relationships—that provide a beacon of light. The resilience found in acknowledging both the darkness and the light speaks to a wisdom that many seek but few songs manage to encapsulate as gracefully as ‘September’ does.
