Pacer
"Pacer" is the fourth song from Act III of the The Smashing Pumpkins' 2023 rock opera, ATUM.
As with several other songs on ATUM Billy Corgan has said "Pacer" likely wouldn't have been written had it not been for a rock opera project, as it deviates so much from typical Smashing Pumpkins material. As for the title "Pacer", Corgan initially thought it would be just a working title, but later decided to keep it given the "pace" of the song.[1]
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
(performed by June as her ship and others in the armada cross the perihelion gate)
June, for the first time, is forced to come to terms with her own death. She wonders if following after Shiny was worth it in the end. As her and her ship begin to burn up by the heat of the sun. Although, it is implied that June does not actually "die". It is a different type of "transformational event" that is separate from the traditional death we've come to expect.[1]
Lyrics[edit | edit source]
born on the wheel, osiris
i was reared to pace
for father swept no kingdom
dear mother vent no shame, but given a heart?
i'd milk my share as villain
forgiveness'd stab as the dowel
frond to frond thru forest
molten this leap of love
as father, i am risen
dear mother returns as dust
if given a heart
if given a heart
born on the wheel, osiris
if given a heart
i was reared to pace
if given a heart
for father swept no kingdom
if given a heart
oh, shiny
where you caught me, you caught me
i've praised such cygnets much better than myself
along these lyres to wind, to perish on fain hope
if given a heart
if given a heart
born on the wheel, osiris
if given a heart
i was reared to pace
if given a heart
for father swept no kingdom
if given a heart
dear mother vent no shame
if given a heart
Availability
| Title | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ATUM | Act III | Studio |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Corgan, Billy. "Cenotaph (with Diana Dagaz)". Thirty-Three (Podcast). Retrieved May 8, 2023.