Common Miracle

A place dedicated to the work of Stina Nordenstam
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sound world
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Common Miracle

Post by sound world »

I'm having yet another attempt at getting the words down for Common Miracle.I remember having a go on one of the old boards,along with RobB and ~michael among others.
Anyone want to add their opinions on my text?
The bits I've marked in brackets are the ones I'm having most problems with.

COMMON MIRACLE

There will be a sudden silence
Where before there was a voice
There'll be just enough of absence
Two hundred pounds or so

(Chorus) But her skin and bones are altered
All is different now
It is such a common miracle it happens all the time

It was not an old man?/omen? clear day??)
And you had no special skills
Except for fingertips and eyelids
Bruised with life and living

(Chorus)

It reflected life like all things
And it was a lot like love
But its absence seems so small here
Barely flickers on my skin

(Chorus)
Last edited by sound world on Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

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zoot
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Post by zoot »

Two hundred pounds are sown?

The rest seems correct. It is 'eyelids' and 'reflecting'.

(I have no idea what this song is about).

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sound world
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Post by sound world »

Cheers Zoot
I've been listening to it today,and it suddenly hit me that it's '200 pounds or so'.Pounds as in WEIGHT.
Because it's about the end of a relationship (surprise surprise)-or the moment of post-coital triste?,after the lover has gone.Discuss.
There's 'just enough' absence,the '200 lbs or so' of the guy (or girl?).
And maybe the next verse starts 'It was not a normal clear day' which kind of makes sense with the following line.
Beautiful song,whatever.One of my favourites.

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Post by blue »

It does sound like 'two hundred pounds or so', but in the first line it sounds to me like 'sudden' silence?

I love the line 'but her skin and bones are altered' - this ties in with the sense of the weight of the man on her body, an image she's used most recently in 'Get On With Your Life'. The simple but rather profound notion that what happens to our bodies leaves an imprint on our souls. Similar to the idea of the 'body map' in albums by Bjork and Tori in recent years.
Ice, you were the one most tender with the rivers.
You, the roof of the waves, layer after layer after layer ...

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sound world
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Post by sound world »

Yep it could be 'sudden'-and makes more sense.
I've edited it.
Now I'd love someone to work out verse 2,line 1.Listening back,it isn't 'normal' at all.I must have dreamt that bit :D

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