Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)

The speaker contrasts a past life in New York, described as “dark and dirty,” with a new setting where young women pass by each morning. Watching them seems to draw the speaker out of isolation: they open the blinds, greet people, and find themselves speaking naturally. The emotional movement is quiet but clear, from withdrawal toward friendliness and renewed interest in the world.

The clock “that always said 12:30” may suggest a fixed, unchanging routine, though its meaning is not explained. Blinds are both literal window coverings and a possible image of keeping oneself shut away; no longer keeping them drawn signals greater openness. The “cloudy waters” that show no reflection suggest a state in which a person cannot see themselves clearly. Beauty lying “stagnant” and images breaking into “fragments” convey stillness and disconnection.

The lyrics do not say exactly why the speaker changes, or what the young women represent. Their presence may simply offer a reason to notice others and make contact, rather than being a complete explanation for the speaker’s transformation. The final lines repeat the new habits, leaving the change feeling real but perhaps still fragile. The song can be read as a movement toward connection, while keeping its cause and deeper symbolism open.