Meaning of "Icarus Smicarus" by Punch Brothers

The lyrics of "Icarus Smicarus" seem to explore the tension between staying within the confines of societal norms and expectations, and the desire to break free and rise above them. The repeated commands to get back in one's hole, crawl under a rock, and fall over oneself suggest a sense of being constrained, restricted, or even self-destructive. This can be seen as representing the pressure to conform, to stay small, to not reach higher. On the other hand, the insistence on getting out of one's shoes and growing wings signifies a yearning for liberation, growth, and transformation. By referencing the myth of Icarus, who famously flew too close to the sun, the lyrics could also be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the consequences of daring to defy limitations. Overall, the lyrics of "Icarus Smicarus" present a complex and thought-provoking reflection on the conflict between staying grounded and aiming for the heights, between safety and risk, between being stifled and being free.