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The Apology Song Lyrics
I'm really sorry, Steven
But your bicycle's been stolen
I was watching it for you
Until you came back in the fall
Guess I didn't do 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 so 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 out, she was gone
And all that was there was some bored old dog
Leashed up to the place where your bicycle had been
Guess we'll never see poor Madeleine again
Let this be consolation, Steven
That all the while you were in England
I treated her with care and respect
And have her lots of love
And I was usually pretty good about locking her up
Where has she gone?
Well, I bet she's on the bottom of a Frenchtown pond
Rudely abused on some hesher's joyride
So I wrote you this song
In the hope that you'd forgive me
Even though it was wrong
Being so careless with a thing so great
And taking your poor Madeleine away, away
But your bicycle's been stolen
I was watching it for you
Until you came back in the fall
Guess I didn't do a good job after all
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 so easily
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 out, she was gone
And all that was there was some bored old dog
Leashed up to the place where your bicycle had been
Guess we'll never see poor Madeleine again
That all the while you were in England
I treated her with care and respect
And have her lots of love
And I was usually pretty good about locking her up
Well, I bet she's on the bottom of a Frenchtown pond
Rudely abused on some hesher's joyride
So I wrote you this song
In the hope that you'd forgive me
Even though it was wrong
Being so careless with a thing so great
And taking your poor Madeleine away, away
Song Info
Submitted by
gyroscope On Jun 01, 2004
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On Sunday night (June 27th, 2004) the Decemberists played a show at the Great American Music Hall. Prior to this song, Colin explained how this was, indeed, a true story. A few months after Colin wrote this song, he saw a guy he knew riding Madeline, the very same bike that was stolen. The guy riding the bike claimed that he found it in a dumpster. So Colin takes the bike back to Steven, who I'm sure is very much appreciative. A few months later again, Steven asks Colin to help him move. Colin agrees. Ironically enough, the bike was on the back of Colin's van when he backed up into a tree, I believe, thus leaving the bicycle in disrepair. The bike is currently locked up by the warehouse being described in "July, July!"
So Wikipedia says the Decemberists are from Portland but the only Frenchtown Pond I see online is near Missoula. Which city did the song take place in?
So Wikipedia says the Decemberists are from Portland but the only Frenchtown Pond I see online is near Missoula. Which city did the song take place in?
If anyone can get away with writing a song about a stolen bicycle, it's Colin Meloy. I love it.
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.
I would love it if someone wrote me a song to make up for something that was stolen of mine.
Especially if they put it on a CD.
"I'm really sorry, Sean, but your Identity has been stolen..."
i live in the town in which this took place and visit the orange street food farm often as well as the frenchtown pond this is all in missoula Mt
i really hope that this song was written like was said in the song.
i know a guy named steven who got his bicycle stolen from him. played him the song, and he laughed and laughed. his bicycle wasn't called madeleine tho. and it wasn't england it was vancouver, but hey.
It's so great that someone could actually pull off a song about apologizing for losing your buddy's bike and not come off cheesy. Such a cute song.
I agree with the above comment. It made me laugh when I first heard it.
The Decemberists are my new fav band, I think there has only been one album on full release in the UK, maybe wrong on that. Bought it on one of those 'that cover looks nice' missions and haven't looked back since. Downloaded this song as you can't buy it anywhere here and fell in love. Who are these guys where have they come from and thought I liked Arcade Fire, but these guys rockin me and my friends world.
You just instantly love this song and then it gets under your skin and you just have to play it to everyone you meet.