The lyrics describe a night where the speaker longs for a breeze to move through the open windows, hoping to escape the misery of life. The scene transitions to a dream involving Pascal's Submarine, a woman waiting for her man hysterically, and questions about life and death. The imagery culminates in a dark scene with a woman collapsing after being stuck with a needle.

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Meaning of "Pascal's Submarine" by Gordon Downie


The lyrics of "Pascal's Submarine" reflect a sense of suffocation and yearning for escape from the hardships of life. The desire for a breeze to move through the open windows symbolizes a hope for change or relief from the burdens and troubles that weigh the speaker down. The dream involving Pascal's Submarine may represent a metaphorical journey into the unknown depths of the subconscious, where fears and anxieties reside. The woman waiting for her man and the questions about life and death hint at themes of uncertainty, loss, and the fleeting nature of existence. The scene with the woman collapsing after being stuck with a needle conveys a sense of vulnerability and fragility in the face of pain and suffering. Overall, the lyrics paint a poignant picture of human struggles, existential questioning, and the search for solace in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty.