Meaning of "Downtown Seoul" by The Mountain Goats

The lyrics of "Downtown Seoul" evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love or encounter. The imagery of the white bird breaking the dark Korean sky symbolizes a fleeting moment of beauty and magic amidst the mundane. The physical intimacy described, from holding hands to feeling the warmth of another person's body, emphasizes the power of human connection in the face of passing time and changing circumstances. The mention of the "grace of the lord of song" suggests a sense of fate or destiny, as the singer muses on how different things could have been if not for the serendipity of that moment. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of wistful reminiscence and the enduring impact of a brief encounter on the singer's memory.