The lyrics describe a place called Arcady where life is simple and pure, filled with seraphic pipes and maids dancing on a molten green. The singer reflects on a relationship where a teacher was once admired but now the partner seems self-absorbed. The twisted nature of the relationship is represented by cat gut binding ankles to a bedstead.

Meaning of "Arcady" by Peter Doherty

"Arcady" represents an idealized place or state of being where life is idyllic and carefree. However, the lyrics suggest that relationships can complicate this simplicity, particularly when one person begins to outgrow the other emotionally or intellectually. The imagery of the cat gut binding ankles to a bedstead symbolizes a sense of entrapment and the loss of freedom within the relationship. The realization that the partner is more concerned with their own self-image than with genuine connection leads to a feeling of disillusionment. Overall, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time combined with a warning about the complexities and potential pitfalls of romantic relationships.