Digital Booklet - Neon Bible

Black Mirror 4. 13

1

I walked down to the ocean After waking from a nightmare. No moon no pale reflection. 2 Black Mirror, Black Mirror 3 Shot by a security camera You can’t watch your own image And also look yourself in the eye. 4 Black Mirror, Black Mirror, Black Mirror 5 I know a time is coming All words will lose their meaning Please show me something that isn’t mine 6 —But mine is the only kind that I relate to. Le miroir casse, The mirror casts mon reflet partout. 7 Black Mirror, Black Mirror, Black Mirror 8 The black mirror knows no reflection. It knows not pride or vanity. It cares not about your dreams. It cares not for your pyramid schemes. 9 Their names are never spoken. The curse is never broken. The curse is never broken. 10 Un! Deux! Trois! Dis: Miroir Noir! —Black Mirror! Un! Deux! Trois! Dis: Miroir Noir! —Black Mirror! 11 Mirror, mirror on the wall, Show me where them bombs will fall. Mirror, mirror on the wall, Show me where them bombs will fall. Black Mirror! Black Mirror! Black Mirror! 1

KEEP THE CAR RUNNING 3. 29

2

Every night my dream’s the same. Same old city with a different name. Men are coming to take me away. I don’t know why, but I know I can’t stay. 1

There’s a weight that’s pressing down. Late at night you can hear the sound. Even the noise you make when you sleep. Can’t swim across a river so deep. 3 They know my name cause I told it to them, But they don’t know where And they don’t know When It’s coming, when It’s coming. 2

There’s a fear I keep so deep, Knew its name since before I could speak: Aaaah aaaaaah aaaaah aaaaaah 5 They know my name ’cause I told it to them, But they don’t know where And they don’t know When It’s coming, Oh ! when, but It’s coming 4

Keep

the

car

running

If some night I don’t come home, Please don’t think I’ve left you alone. The same place animals go when they die, You can’t climb across a mountain so high. 8 The same city where I go when I sleep, You can’t swim across a river so deep. 9 They know my name cause I told it to them, But they don’t know where And they don’t know When It’s coming, Oh! when is it coming? 6 7

Keep Keep Keep

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car car car

running running running

NEON BIBLE 2. 16

3

A vial of hope and a vial of pain, In the light they both looked the same. Poured them out on into the world, On every boy and every girl. 1

It’s in the Neon Bible, the Neon Bible Not much chance for survival, If the Neon Bible is right. 2

Take the poison of your age, Don’t lick your fingers when you turn the page, What I know is what you know is right, In the city it’s the only light. 3

It’s the Neon Bible, the Neon Bible, Not much chance for survival If the Neon Bible is right. 4

Oh God! well look at you now! Oh! you lost it, but you don’t know how! In the light of a golden calf, Oh God! I had to laugh!

5

Take the poison of your age, Don’t lick your fingers when you turn the page, It was wrong but you said it was right, In the future I will read at night. 6

In the Neon Bible, the Neon Bible Not much chance for survival, If the Neon Bible is true. 7

INTERVENTION 4. 19

4

The king’s taken back the throne. The useless seed is sown. When they say they’re cutting off the phone, I tell ‘em you’re not home. 1

No place to hide, You were fighting as a soldier on their side. You’re still a soldier in your mind, Though nothing’s on the line. 2

You say it’s money that we need, As if we’re only mouths to feed. I know no matter what you say, There are some debts you’ll never pay. 3

Working for the Church while your family dies. You take what they give you And you keep it inside. Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home. Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone.” 4

I can taste the fear. Lift me up and take me out of here. Don’t wanna fight, don’t wanna die, Just wanna hear you cry. 5

Who’s gonna throw the very first stone? Oh! who’s gonna reset the bone? Walking with your head in a sling Wanna hear the soldier sing: 6

INTERVENTION “Been working for the Church while my family dies. Your little baby sister’s gonna lose her mind. Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home.” Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone.” 7

I can taste your fear. It’s gonna lift you up and take you out of here. And the bone shall never heal; I care not if you kneel.

8

We can’t find you now, But they’re gonna get their money back somehow. And when you finally disappear, We’ll just say you were never here. 9

Working for the Church while your life falls apart. Singin’ hallelujah with the fear in your heart. Every spark of friendship and love will die without a home. Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone.” Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone.” 10

Black WAVE / bad vibrations 3. 57

5

We can reach the sea. They won’t follow me. Shadows, they fear the sun. We’ll make it if we run! 2 Run from the memory. Je nage, mais les sons me suivent. 3 Left my name with the border guards, a name that I don’t need. Ce sera un long voyage sur les vagues de l’oubli. 4 Run from the memory. Je nage, mais les sons me suivent. 1

Stop now before it’s too late, been eating in the ghettoon a 100 dollar plate. 6 Nothing lasts forever that’s the way it’s gotta be, there’s a great black wave in the middle of the sea for me, for you, for me, it’s always for you. 7 Stop now before it’s too late. Your lover was for hire, have you noticed he’s been late? 8 Nothing lasts forever that’s the way it’s gotta be, there’s a great black wave in the middle of the sea for me, for you, for me, it’s always for you. 9 The sound is not asleep, it’s moving under my feet. The sound is not asleep, it’s moving under my feet. The sound is not asleep, it’s moving under my feet. The sound is not asleep, it’s moving under my feet. 5

OCEAN OF NOISE 4. 53

6

In an ocean of noise, I first heard your voice, Ringing like a bell, As if I had a choice, oh well! 1

Left in the morning While you were fast asleep, Into an ocean of violence, A world of empty streets. 2

You’ve got your reasons, And me I’ve got mine, But all the reasons I gave Were just lies to buy myself some time. 3

In an ocean of noise, I first heard your voice. Now who here among us Still believes in choice? —Not I! 4

No way of knowing What any man will do, An ocean of violence Between me and you. 5

You’ve got your reasons, And me I’ve got mine, But all the reasons I gave Were just lies to buy myself some time. 6

I’m gonna work it ‘Cause time won’t work it I’m gonna work it ‘Cause time won’t work it out for I’m gonna work it on

7

out. out. out. you. out.

THE WELL AND THE LIGHTHOUSE 3. 56

7

I’m serving time all for a crime I did commit. You want the truth? You know I’d do it all again. Left for dead, heaven is only in my head! 1

I heard a voice calling from down inside a well. “See that silver shine?” she said to come claim what was mine. So down I fell, down into the water black. My prison cell, only the moon was shining back! 2

If I seem lost, well I weighted the cost and chose my crime— now it’s mine all mine! 3

I heard the voice calling from just outside the well. She said, “You fool, now that you know your end is near; you always fall for what you desire or what you fear!” 4

R e s u r r e c t e d living in a lighthouse, If you leave them ships are gonna wreck. R e s u r r e c t e d living in a lighthouse, The lions and the lambs ain’t sleeping yet. 5

(ANTICHRIST TELEVISION BLUES) 5. 07

8

I don’t wanna work in a building downtown, No I don’t wanna work in a building downtown. I don’t know what I’m gonna do, ‘cause the planes keep crashing always two by two. I don’t wanna work in a building downtown, No I don’t wanna see when the planes hit the ground. 1

I don’t wanna work in a building downtown, I don’t wanna work in a building downtown. Parking their cars in the underground, Their voices when they scream, well they make no sound. I wanna see the cities rust, and the trouble makers riding on the back of the bus. 2

3 Dear God, I’m a good Christian man. In your glory, I know you understand, That you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid, My girl’s 13, but she don’t act her age. She can sing like a bird in a cage, O Lord, if you could see her when she’s up on that stage! 4 You know that I’m a God-fearing man. You know that I’m a God-fearing man. But I just gotta know if it’s part of your plan To seat my daughters there by your right hand. I know that you’ll do what’s right, Lord, For they are the lanterns and you are the light.

(ANTICHRIST TELEVISION BLUES) Now I’m overcome, By the light of day. My lips are near, but my heart is far away. Tell me what to say, I’ll be your mouthpiece! 5

Into the light of a bridge that burns As I drive from the city with the money that I earned. Into the black of a starless sky, I’m staring into nothing And I’m asking you why: Lord, will you make her a star So the world can see who you really are? 6

Little girl, you’re old enough to understand, That you’ll always be a stranger in a strange, strange land. The men are gonna come while you’re fast asleep, So you better just stay close and hold onto me. If my little mocking bird don’t sing, Then daddy won’t buy her no diamond ring. 7

Dear God, would you send me a child? Oh! God, would you send me a child, ‘Cause I wanna put it up on the TV screen, so the world can see what your true word means. Lord, would you send me a sign, ‘cause I just gotta know if I’m wastin’ my time! 8

Now I’m overcome, By the light of day. My lips are near, but my heart is far away. Now the war is won, How come nothing tastes good? 9

(ANTICHRIST TELEVISION BLUES) You’re such a sensitive child! Oh! you’re such a sensitive child! I know you’re tired, but it’s alright, I just need you to sing for me tonight. You’re gonna have your day in the sun; You know God loves the sensitive ones. 10

Oh! my little bird in a cage! Oh! my little bird in a cage! I need you to get up for me, up on that stage, and show the men that you’re old for your age. Now ain’t the time for fear, But if you don’t take it, it’ll disappear! 11

Oh! my little mocking bird sing! Oh! my little mocking bird sing! I need you to get up on that stage for me ,honey, And show the men it’s not about the money.

12

Wanna hold a mirror up to the world, So that they can see themselves inside my little girl! 13

Do you know where I was at your age? Any idea where I was at your age? I was working downtown for the minimum wage, and I’m not gonna let you just throw it alla way! I’m through being cute, I’m through being nice, O tell me, Lord, am I the Antichrist?! 14

WINDOWSILL 4. 16

9

“Don’t wanna hear the noises on TV, Don’t want the salesmen coming after me, Don’twannaliveinmy father’shousenomore. 2 Don’t want it faster, I don’t want it free, Don’t wanna show you what they done to me, Don’twannaliveinmy father’shousenomore. 3 Don’t wanna choose black or blue, Don’t wanna see what they done to you, Don’twannaliveinmy father’shousenomore. 1

’Cause the tide is high, and it’s rising still, and I don’t wanna see itat my windowsill. 4

Don’t wanna give ‘em my name and address, Don’t wanna see what happens next, Don’twannaliveinmy father’shousenomore. 6 Don’t wanna live with my father’s debt, You can’t forgive what you can’t forget, Don’twannaliveinmy father’shousenomore. 7 Don’t wanna fight in a holy war, Don’t want the salesmen knocking at my door, I don’t wanna live in America no more. 5

WINDOWSILL ’Cause the tide is high, and it’s rising still, And I don’t wanna see it at my windowsill. 8

MTV, what have you done to me? Save my soul, set me free! Set me free! What have you done to me? I can’t breathe! I can’t see! 10 World War III, when are you coming for me? Been kicking up sparks, we set the flames free. 11 The windows are locked now, so what’ll it be? A house on fire, or a rising sea? 9

Why is the night so still? Why did I take the pill? Because I don’t wanna see it at my windowsill!

12

Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! Don’t wanna see it at my windowsill! 13

NO CARS GO 5. 43

10

We know a place where no planes go

1

We know a place where no ships go

2

No

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3

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4

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MY BODY IS A CAGE

MY BODY IS A CAGE 4. 47

11

My that

body is a cage keeps me from dancing with the one I love, but my mind holds the key. 1

My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love, but my mind holds the key. 8

You’re standing next to My mind holds the My body is 9

My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love, but my mind holds the key. 2

I’m of It’s but 3

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on a stage and self-doubt hollow play, clap anyway.

My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love, but my mind holds the key. 4

You’re standing next to My mind holds the

me. key.

I’m living in an that calls darkness Though my language is still the shapes fill my

age light. dead head.

5

6

I’m living in an age whose name I don’t know Though the fear keeps me moving, still my heart beats so slow.

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My body is a cage. We take what we’re given. Just because you’ve forgotten, that don’t mean you’re forgiven. 10

I’m living in an age that screams my name at night, But when I get to the doorway there’s no one in sight. 11

My body is a cage that keeps me from dancing with the one I love, but my mind holds the key. 12

You’re standing next to My mind holds the

me. key.

Set Set Set

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13

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Recorded and mixed during 2006 at “the church” in Québec. Additional recording was done at Win and Régine’s house, the St. James Anglican Church in Bedford, Québec, the Église St. Jean Baptiste in Montréal, as well as in New York and Budapest. Additional mixing was done at Olympic Studios in London. Written, produced, arranged, and performed by The Arcade Fire The Arcade Fire are: Régine Chassagne Richard Reed Parry Win Butler Tim Kingsbury Will Butler Sarah Neufeld Jeremy Gara Recorded by Markus Dravs and Scott Colburn Assisted by François Chevallier, James Ogilvy, Sharon Levinson, Mike Feuerstack, Alex Droomgoole, Dave Emery, & Tom Hough. Tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11. Mixed by Nick Launay and The Arcade Fire Tracks 3 & 5. Mixed by Markus Dravs and The Arcade Fire Tracks 1 & 10. Mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent with The Arcade Fire Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Metropolis Studios, London. Orchestral Arrangements on Black Mirror, Keep The Car Running and No Cars Go by Owen Pallett and Régine Chassagne Orchestra and Choir Sessions recorded at the Hungarian National Radio Studios, Budapest. Session coordination and editing: Michael Paert Orchestra Contractor: Csaba Lokös Recording Engineer: Denes Redly Orchestra Conducted by: István Silló Choir Conducted by: Peter Drucker Copyist: Daryl Griffith Strings: Owen Pallett, Violin; Marika Anthony-Shaw, Viola; Mélanie Auclair, Cello. Brass: Pietro Amato, Laurent Ménard, Margaret Gundara, Jake Henry, Geoffrey Shoesmith, Andreas Stolzfus, Colin Stetson, edith gruber. Brass on Ocean of Noise: Martin Wenk and Jacob Valenzuela

Harp on Black Mirror and The Well and The Lighthouse: Liza Rey Treatments on Black Mirror, Neon Bible, and My Body Is a Cage: Hadji Bakara Gospel Singers on My Body Is a Cage and (Antichrist Television Blues): Chantel Gero, Tasha Gero, Jean Sherwood, Joanne Degand, Shauna Callender. Thanks to Katherine Cram for your assistance in coordinating these sessions. Thank you to the Ven. Dr. Brian A. Evans, Archdeacon of Bedford, for the assistance provided during the recording at St. James Anglican Church, Bedford, Québec, and to the Église St. Jean Baptiste, Montréal, for allowing us to use their organ. Album cover shoot: Directed by Tracy Maurice Production assistance: Jean-Luc Della Montagna for NúFilms Director of Photography: François Miron Costumes: Renata Morales Still Photographer: Christophe Collette Thank you to: McGill Synchronized Swim Team, Jenny Craig, Elle Nunnerley-Paquette, Chloe Vice, Michelle Adelman and the entire crew who gave their time and energy to make the project happen. Thanks to Paul McKee for set-up coordination and assistance. Artwork & Packaging design by Tracy Maurice (Layout assistance from Morgan Charles and Maggie Fost) Website by Vincent Morisset and Olivier Groulx This record would not have been close to possible without Scott Rodger and everyone at Quest Management (Jennifer, Jessica, Stuart, Ian, Isaac and Giaco). And a special thanks to Liza Shore, who we want to love (in a friendship way). Martin Wenk and Jacob Valenzuela appear courtesy of Touch & Go Records and City Slang. The name Neon Bible, from a novel by John Kennedy Toole, is used with permission of Grove Press, Inc. c/o Macintosh & Otis Inc. www.arcadefire.com www.neonbible.com www.sonovoxrecords.com www.pih.org www.mergerecords.com 1 866 NEON BIBLE