[insignificant figures]
[Time: 4'41"]
[Lyrics: Andy Wagner]
[First performed October 25, 1996 -- show #1]
[Appears as track #13 on "Pastor of Muppets"]
[Tim: electric bass, Nevin: violin, vocals, Kort: bouzouki, Jamie: percussion, Andy: guitar, vocals, Thom: guitar, vocals]


The first original ever performed by Bert, this song uses a play on words
(a play on significant figures, a mathematical construct)
to demonstrate the idea of feeling insignificant in respect
to an object of one's enamoration, and accepting a kind of
sad beauty in that, while at the same time trying move beyond it.


i am infinitesimal
admittedly quantum in my voice
these words i pen at great length
reducible to verbs, nouns, and white noise
a barely inaudible progression of chords
rhetoric poorly transduced
a screaming neutron
begging for your echolalia
at least that would be proof
that the sound had reached you

no, i don't
i don't have delusions of grandeur
and my feet
my feet will never leave the floor

she said, "things are awfully quiet"
"yeah, too quiet" was my silent reply
the evanescent strains of my chrondous croon
like isotopes depleting half-life
after half-life
"did you hear something?"
"it was probably just the wind," she said
best heard, not seen
well, i'll gladly trade you my catharsis
if you'd pass the vanishing cream.


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