Written on the Forehead by PJ Harvey Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Haunting Message of Conflict and Loss
Lyrics
In a sad circus by a trench of burning oil
People throw belongings, a life-time’s earnings
Among the scattered rubbish and suitcases on the sidewalk
Take palms and orange and tangerine trees
With eyes that’re crying for everything
(Let it burn, let it burn, burn, burn)
(Blood, blood, blood, blood and fire)
So I talked to an old man by the generator
He was standing on the gravel by the fetid river
He turned to me and answered, “baby, see”
Said, “war is here in our beloved city”
Some dove in the river and tried to swim away
Through tons of sewage they’d written on their foreheads
Take palms and orange and tangerine trees
And eyes that’re crying for everything
Let it burn, let it burn
Let it burn, burn, burn
Let it burn, let it burn
Let it burn, burn, burn
In the pantheon of music artists who deftly blend poetry with melody, PJ Harvey stands out as a paragon of lyrical depth and complexity. Her song ‘Written on the Forehead,’ a track from her acclaimed 2011 album ‘Let England Shake,’ serves as a potent examination of war’s irrevocable impact on the human spirit and the environment.
Harvey’s evocative lyrics weave a tapestry of imagery that, while often cryptic, invites listeners to ponder the consequences of violence that permeate through generations. This exploration dissects the mosaic of metaphors Harvey employs, delving into the haunting narrative hidden beneath a seemingly tranquil soundscape.
An Unflinching Gaze into War’s Carnage
At first glance, PJ Harvey’s ‘Written on the Forehead’ gently lulls with its dreamy soundscape, but a closer listen reveals a stark contrast. The music’s ethereal quality is a stark juxtaposition to the visceral depictions of a war-torn land. Dinars thrown at belly dancers amidst a ‘sad circus by a trench of burning oil’ portray both the fleeting pleasures sought during distress and the overshadowing grimness of conflict.
Moreover, the reference to ‘belongings, a life-time’s earnings’ scattered amongst trash and suitcases strewn on a sidewalk further underlines the chaotic displacement and loss suffered by civilians. Such vivid imagery draws the listener into the harrowing reality faced by those caught within the desolation of war, their perfect lives shattered, displaced to oblivion.
The Fruitful Earth Marred by Blood and Fire
Utilizing the symbolism of the natural world, Harvey juxtaposes the fertile offerings of ‘palms and orange and tangerine trees’ with the pervasive ‘eyes that’re crying for everything.’ These lines evoke a sense of deep lamentation for the loss of both human life and nature’s beauty, a frequent casualty of warfare that’s often overlooked amid the human toll.
The repetitive cry — ‘Let it burn, burn, burn’ — becomes an intense meditation on destruction. It’s an acceptance of the inevitability of desolation, and perhaps, a comment on the apathy shown by the world as once-rich landscapes and lives are consecrated to the flames.
Tragedy Etched in the Smallest of Gestures
Harvey’s keen observational prowess shines when she highlights a conversation with ‘an old man by the generator.’ His matter-of-fact declaration — ‘war is here in our beloved city’ — captures the grim resignation that permeates life in the midst of conflict. This acceptance is as chilling as it is telling, suggesting both a deep-rooted sense of forbearance and an acknowledgment of the inescapable presence of strife.
Simultaneously, there is resilience in the old man’s presence, a generator signifying not just literal electricity, but perhaps the endurance of the human spirit amidst adversity. Yet, the ‘fetid river’ underscores the decay of both morality and environment, etching the tragedy of war indelibly in even the smallest details of existence.
Bearers of Their Own Stories: The Forehead’s Mark
The song’s title phrase, ‘written on their foreheads,’ suggests an inescapable identity branded onto the individuals, much like the indelible mark of Cain. Harvey poignantly uses this imagery to convey that the survivors of war carry their experiences openly, unable to hide the psychological scars engraved by the traumas they have endured.
Diving into the river to escape, the ‘tons of sewage’ that individuals carry symbolize the heavy burden of war’s residue, which clings to the psyche long after the physical threat has dissipated. The mark on the forehead transforms into a metaphor for the stain of war that taints the collective consciousness and continues to affect future generations.
Echoes of Resistance: ‘Let it Burn’s’ Memorable Refrain
The most haunting aspect of ‘Written on the Forehead’ is its refrain: ‘Let it burn.’ The words ring out as a haunting hymn of resolve amid calamity. It’s a chant that oscillates between the hope of purification by fire and the despairing resignation to the destructiveness of the current state of affairs.
These four words, repeated with a spectral intensity, lodge themselves in the listener’s mind, emblematic of the song’s essence. They become a mirror reflecting our sentiments towards an increasingly tumultuous world. The burning could symbolize an end, or perhaps an urgent cry for transformation, inviting the listener to reflect on the alarmingly cyclical nature of human conflict.
