I'm really sorry, Steven, but your bicycle's been stolen.
I was watching it for you 'til you came back in the fall.
I guess I didn't do such a good job after all.
I was feeling really sorry, Steven, and I spent all morning grieving.

And everybody's saying that you'll take the news gracefully.
Somehow, I don't think I'll be getting off that easily.

I meant her no harm when I left her unlocked outside the Orange Street Food Farm.
I was just running in, didn't think I'd be that long.
I came back, she was gone and all that was there was some bored old dog,
Leashed up to the place where your bicycle had been.
I guess we'll never see poor Madelline again.

Let this be consolation, Steven, that all the while you were in England,
I treated her with care and respect and gave her lots of love,
And I was usually pretty good 'bout locking her up. Where has she gone?
Well, I bet she's on the bottom of the French Town Pond, rudely abused on some heshner's joy ride.
So I wrote you this song in the hopes that you'd forgive me even though it was wrong,
Being so careless with a thing so great and taking your poor Madeline away.


Lyrics submitted by gyroscope

Apology Song Lyrics as written by Colin Meloy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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The Apology Song song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Missoula's a huge bike town (buncha hippies) and you really do need to be careful to lock up your ride, as there are theft's a plenty. There were signs posted up all inside the university theatre telling us not to leave anything valuable around, or it'll get hocked! Great town, but damn! Everytime I drive by the Food Farm now, I have to smile.

    agentzx3on March 30, 2005   Link

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