Meaning of "Halls of Sarah" by Neko Case

The lyrics of "Halls of Sarah" seem to paint a picture of a woman, Sarah, who is burdened by the expectations and exploitation of others. She is portrayed as a silent, mournful figure who is used by men to further their own purposes, with her own desires and needs disregarded. The repeated references to denial, exploitation, and Sarah's beaten heart and mouth of stone suggest a sense of powerlessness and resignation in the face of exploitation. The plea for Sarah to haunt her own dreams can be seen as a call for her to reclaim her agency and resist the attempts of others to shape her identity. The imagery of poets doing an odious business and loving womankind as lions love Christians highlights the predatory nature of the exploitation Sarah faces, drawing a parallel between her experiences and historical acts of violence and domination. Overall, the song can be interpreted as a poignant exploration of power dynamics, exploitation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of dehumanization.