☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a man trying to figure out why his lover left him.
- He observes his surroundings and looks for clues that could help him understand the reasons behind her decision.
- The lyrics express the confusion and uncertainty of the protagonist as he tries to comprehend the loss.
- Various symbols and imagery are used to represent the protagonist's thoughts and memories.
- The song ends without finding a definitive answer to his questions, underscoring the protagonist's frustration.
Interpretation
The song "Hide Away Folk Family" by
They Might Be Giants is about a man trying to figure out why his beloved left him. He counts 32 steps he retraces to find possible reasons for her decision.
The first two verses describe how the protagonist tries to find clues in his surroundings. He mentions that the color doesn't dry in a room and the dirt reaches to the sky, indicating that something is wrong. He also counts 32 feathers in his new Indian headdress and 32 new moons in the sky. All these observations leave him puzzled.
In the chorus, the song lyrics repeat various syllable combinations that don't make real sense but may reflect the confusion of the protagonist.
In the third verse, the song lyrics mention that the protagonist has heard 32 lies he couldn't believe when the ground gave way. It seems like his world is crumbling and night turns into day. He sees 32 soldiers running in place and 32 freight cars, all with his beloved's face. These images likely symbolize the many thoughts and memories that haunt him.
At the end of the text, he counts the steps from 28 to 31, but there is no 32nd step. This could mean that he hasn't found a definitive answer to his questions and continues to grope in the dark.
Overall, the song "Hide Away Folk Family" is about the search for answers and the frustration of not finding clear reasons for the abandonment of a loved one. The lyrics express the confusion and uncertainty of the protagonist as he tries to understand the loss.