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The Decemberists – The Apology Song Lyrics 19 years ago
Once, a friend of mine came over to my house and decided inspect my laptop while I read a book. After a while of silence, this song suddenly blared... she kept it on repeat for a long time after that. She'd never heard of the band before, but Colin's voice amused her to no end. I think she fell in love after that.

And: Stephen's girlfriend, Madeline? I always figured that the bike was named Madeline. Heh...

submissions
The Decemberists – The Crane Wife 1 and 2 Lyrics 19 years ago
I first heard these before I knew they were based on a fable, and I figured that the story was a reference to an old love of Colin's or something. The crane really resonates in my mind as an image of a girl, who is sort of thin and gangly and fragile....
I really like the story, though. I've never heard it before.

submissions
The Decemberists – On the Bus Mall Lyrics 19 years ago
Let me being by saying that to me, this song is not even a song but an infatuation. Nothing could be loftier than it makes me feel... except maybe my play count for it in itunes.... Anyway, I was listening to it for the bajillionth time when suddenly I said, "Wait, this song is about gay guys, isn't it?" I did think about the idea that the guys are cross-dressers (I thought it said, "so take UP your make-up" and "the old men with LIPSTICKS") but I never gave a thought to prostitution. I'll never be able to listen to it the same way again, heh....

submissions
The Decemberists – Of Angels and Angles Lyrics 19 years ago
Suicide? No, silly--it's a love song. This is how I interpret it:

There are angels in your angles
There's a low moon caught in your tangles
((He's putting her on a pedastal right from the start, telling her that even her tiny details are perfect and worthy of higher recognition.))
There's a ticking at the sill
((Their alarm clock?))
There's a purr of a pigeon to break the still of day
((Sweet serenity--pigeons are such a great mascot for this song.))
As on we go drowning, down we go away
And darling, we go a-drowning, down we go away. Away...
((I don't know about you folks, but when I really love something I want to drown myself in it. If it's a song, I'll put it loop and play it over and over--if it's a person, it's more about drowning myself in things that remind me of him or sinking into his arms; so to me, drowning refers to a nearly obsessive surrender. "Take me, ocean--I'm yours! You're taking my breath away."))

There's a tough word
On your crossword
((This could be refering to the whole, "sunday morning, going slow and reading the paper" thing... or it could just mean that she's tounge-tied.))
There's a bed-bug nipping a finger
((Again, refering to their bed-time. Oo la la. This sort of reminds me of something I'd do if I was watching a loved one sleep--tuck them in, brush back their hair, and keep the bed-bugs from biting.))
There's a swallow
There's a calm
Here's a hand to lay on your open palm today
((Back to the pigeon thing--sweet serenity. Maybe they took a walk in the park holding hands.))
As on we go drowning, down we go away
And darling, we go a-drowing, down we go away. Away...
((He's surrendering to love.))
There are angels in your angles
There's a low moon caught in your tangles...
((He finishes with a beautiful image. They say that when you re-state something again and again in writing, it helps to convey to the reader that the author is off of his rocker--this is used a lot in romance novels, per the whole, "I can't stop thinking about him/her" thing. Also, by leaving us off where he started, it gives me a looping feeling--that this song could go on forever if left to its own devices. Love could be like that, couldn't it?))

All in all, I take this song to be about the simple-though-awe-inspiring day-to-day beauty that comes naturally from being head-over-heels in love with someone. Even during a lull in the day when virtually nothing is happenening, he's still estatic to be there. Isn't simplicity beautiful?

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