The Decemberists – The Engine Driver

General CommentOkay, meaning now.

I think that this is a song comprised of several different characters (obviously) with most of the focus given to the writer (who I think is, in some part, Meloy) -- it's very simple with lots of repetition, but I think it comes down to one moral -- All of these people are something by their very nature; it's in their bones, it's who they are, and they're calling out, "If you don't love me let me go" -- or, if you don't love me for who I really am, let me go.

Going deeper, you could look at the writer and think, he's trying to rid this love from his bones, so maybe she's become a part of him (assuming the first person is male, sorry) as well; or, he is becoming a part of her, as in "I am the heart that you call home". Yet, he's just a writer of fictions; he's trying to write her out of his life, but she won't let go.

So they're all people with dilemmas of the heart -- all having to do with the permanent *who* they are perhaps conflicting with their love's perception of them; or anyone's perception of them for that matter.

In any case, it's a beautiful song. Love it.

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  @trisweb
  +1

  I kind of think the point is all the characters, the engine driver, the lineman, the moneylender, all know who they are. They tell their jobs and seem to accept what they are.
  
  But the writer doesn't know who he is. He just writes to keep away a person who he loved. He doesn't really have that much of an identity separate from her because whenever he talks about himself, he relates it to this other person.
  
  Just how I see it :-)

  Flag EvilGiraffeon August 14, 2009  

General CommentThis song could be about a songwriter/musician/decemberists frontman.

Each of the professions he lists in the verses are various parts of being a touring musician.
"engine driver": touring across a country must feel.
"county lineman" or electrician: dealing with the equipment.
"moneylender": the business side of music.

and of course, a writer using fiction to work out a past relationship isn't a stretch of the imagine.

maybe colin's most autobigraphy song.
or i could be completely wrong.

either way, wonderful song.

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  @sethbrown

General CommentI feel as if it's about a writer trying to get over this girl.
He keeps writing these stories and pouring himself into these different characters
and no matter who he becomes he still doesn't get the girl.

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  @ATadBitEerie

General CommentIt's about that girl that you want but will never get, for whatever reason. Still, even knowing this, the love that you feel stays. Meloy is shrieking "if you don't love me let me go", but the love still stays, despite the fact that the writer has "written pages upon pages trying to rid you from my bones." A nasty little spot to be in. Part of me is starting to think that there is only ONE charactor...I'll post more on that once I think about it some more.

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  @five_to_one

General Comment^^I think that may be reading a bit much into it, as song's that Colin has written about mothers aren't necessarily reflections on his mother. His writing style is rarely ever autobiographical, it's mostly story telling.

That said...the engine driver in question is experiencing a feeling that I think five_to_one described best. Hopelessness, but at the same time, something deep inside him ("my bones") just won't let go, no matter what he does to try to get rid of her ("I've written pages upon pages").

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  @Ne Plus Ultra

General CommentWhen the song says 'Trying to rid you from my bones', I don't interpret that as trying to forget a girl. I'm writing a fiction book as well, and it's partially to just get the story out of me.

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  @brisingr47

General Comment"And I've written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones"

I get chills every time. :)

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  @odalisque

General Commentjust beautiful. My favorite on Picaresque

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  @Bryia_026

General Commenti love this song. i totally agree with five to one. i feel bad for him, especially cause im in pretty much the same position.....

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  @jazzy88

General Commentits really good. The catchiest on picaresque in my opionon.

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  @nonnycries