"Carapace" lyrics, "by" Pearl Jam

by Alicia Gifford

Photo from Petter Lindgren

"Carapace" – Pearl Jam – The Honu Tour

They burst from the egg and each hatchling yearns
A rush to the sea—that soon serves to be
Dinner for terns.
The hatchling now learns
Life is so fragile.

 
(Refrain)
Carapace (honu, honu)
Reptilian grace (honu, honu)
In your gentle face
In your
Carapace
We must save you. (no na honu kai) 

Salt-pepper on skin heralds the doom
Makes them so ill—the tumors that kill,
O how it burns
The sea turtle learns
Life is so frail.

(Refrain)
Carapace (honu, honu)
Reptilian grace (honu, honu)
In your gentle face
In your
Carapace
We must save you. (no na honu kai)

(Chorus)
Each mother remembers
The beach of her birth
She returns to it now,
Back to its earth
On short flippered legs
She buries her eggs
The cycle anew
Damned turtle stew,
Damned turtle stew,
God damned turtle stew.

(Repeat, etc.)