Meaning of "Angle Of Repose" by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

The lyrics of "Angle Of Repose" by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum delve into the fragility and impermanence of human relationships and life itself. The metaphorical depiction of individuals as rulers of their own countries symbolises the self-contained nature of people's inner worlds and the barriers that exist between individuals. The crossing of borders at night suggests a transgression of boundaries and an attempt to understand the customs of others, only to forget them by day, highlighting the transient nature of connections. The imagery of planting stories, songs, laughter, and battles only to have them come up in different forms demonstrates how our actions can have unforeseen consequences and how we are all interconnected in a cyclical, ever-evolving world. The final stanza warns of the futility of material possessions and the inevitable "avalanche of useless things" that will ultimately consume us all, underscoring the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of meaningful connections over material goods.