Young Cardinals

Alexisonfire's song 'Young Cardinals' delves into the juxtaposition of innocence and the chaotic, often dark, realities of the world. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the strange and sometimes unsettling events that occur during the nighttime hours. The opening lines, 'Strange things happen in the nighttime hour / Yesterday’s buds are tomorrow’s flowers,' suggest a transformation and the passage of time, hinting at the inevitable loss of innocence as one grows older.

The recurring imagery of 'young cardinals' nesting in trees serves as a metaphor for youth and purity. The plea, 'Oh hear our songs / Reign your innocence on me,' reflects a longing to hold onto or reclaim that innocence amidst the complexities and corruptions of the adult world. The song contrasts this innocence with darker themes, such as 'nicotine babies being born with no spines' and 'we stoke our fires with the bones of tyrants,' highlighting the harsh realities and moral decay present in society.

The song also touches on themes of knowledge and ignorance. The lines 'Young cardinals take flight / Return to nest in the black of night / There are things you were not meant to know' suggest that there are certain truths or realities that are too burdensome or damaging for the innocent to bear. This tension between the desire to protect innocence and the inevitable exposure to the world's darker aspects is a central theme of the song, making 'Young Cardinals' a poignant reflection on the loss of innocence and the complexities of growing up.