Meaning of "Banjo" by Leonard Cohen

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The broken banjo symbolizes something ominous or threatening that the speaker is fixated on, unable to escape. The dark, infested sea represents the world filled with challenges and dangers. The banjo could represent an unresolved issue, trauma, or fear that haunts the speaker, following them wherever they go. The lyrics suggest a sense of fatalism and duty – the banjo's duty is to harm, and the speaker's duty is to acknowledge and understand the harm it brings. The repeated lines emphasize the relentless nature of this looming threat and the speaker's resigned acceptance of its presence. Overall, the lyrics of "Banjo" explore themes of inevitable danger, inner turmoil, and the struggle to come to terms with haunting demons.

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