The song "Ice" by Joan Shelley talks about a cold layer of ice that holds around the door and breast during wintertime. The lyrics suggest that this winter chill represents a sense of emotional distance and detachment from the world around the singer. The verse mentions a load being pulled before which could mean the singer's past experiences that have turned to stone. There's also a stowaway creeping through the wall suggesting that something is trying to get in, but the king laid all the reasons on the singer's brow making it difficult to understand or cope with. The chorus talks about a coal mine weeping and all the people belonging to the singer. The singer desperately asks if they need them now. The later verses address a woman who is trying to convince the singer to do something that goes against the singer's blood. The song ends with a plea for help to explain the meaning of the last prayer that lingers from a hole in the ground. Overall, "Ice" is a haunting song that touches upon themes of emotional detachment and disillusionment. The sense of coldness and distance that come through in the lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to find meaning and purpose in their life and is searching for a way to connect with the world around them.
