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When we hid out behind the risers at the high school
Working bitter calculations with a slide rule
The grim particulars of poisoning the swimming pool
The way you looked me in the eye, ready to die
We were becoming what we are
Collapsing stars
When we chewed up Baby Aspirin like bubblegum
Till our hearts were beating deep and rich as kettle drums
We knew if we waited long enough the change would come
And then the day did come, and at last
Hold tight
Hold fast
Catch lightning in a jar
Collapsing stars
I told you to load up on provisions
Cuz' we wouldn't be back for a while
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
Turn toward the camera and smile, smile, smile
When we ditched the plan to poison all our enemies
Stuffed our weapons in a clearing, and covered them with leaves
We are gonna come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaths one day
Well we are on our way
You can look
But you won't find
Another love like ours
Collapsing stars
Working bitter calculations with a slide rule
The grim particulars of poisoning the swimming pool
The way you looked me in the eye, ready to die
We were becoming what we are
Collapsing stars
When we chewed up Baby Aspirin like bubblegum
Till our hearts were beating deep and rich as kettle drums
We knew if we waited long enough the change would come
And then the day did come, and at last
Hold tight
Hold fast
Catch lightning in a jar
Collapsing stars
I told you to load up on provisions
Cuz' we wouldn't be back for a while
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
Turn toward the camera and smile, smile, smile
When we ditched the plan to poison all our enemies
Stuffed our weapons in a clearing, and covered them with leaves
We are gonna come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaths one day
Well we are on our way
You can look
But you won't find
Another love like ours
Collapsing stars
Lyrics submitted by my anaphora, edited by CollapsingStar
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He says Baby Aspirin in the version from Come Come to the Sunset Tree and Pseudoephedrine on the Dilaudid single. Also "Bringing in the Sheaves" is an allusion to an old hymn, and "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile Smile Smile" is a song from the Thirties.
Not entirely sure what this song's about. It appears to be a "standard bitter love song" ; ) but I dunno if that's too literal.
Great metaphor though.
I believe this song is actually about his own life, it was set to appear on The Sunset Tree, and it actually appears as a b-side on one of that album's singles. He said that his wife loved it, but it just didn't make it onto the record.
This could be one of the "Star" songs (e.g. Stars Fell on Alabama, New Star Song, Stars Around Her). That series is about spending time with a significant other or beloved.
Or maybe not because it's autobiographical, but it would make sense.
i dont know if its just me, or my version of this song, but im sure darnielle sings "when we chewed up pseudoephedrine" it doesnt make much difference i know but i really love that line like that.
@J.Parrett It kind of does make a difference really, pseudoephedrine is actually sort of a drug (albeit weak and dangerous) whereas Baby Aspirin makes a lot less sense.
I live in Asia and so I haven't heard this song yet. Lyrics look interesting, though. As do other Mountain Goats lyrics themountaingoats.net/lyrics/comecome_lyr.html
Saw the Tiny Desk Concert of Mountaineer Goat John Darnielle over at npr.org/templates/story/story.php Postmodernist yet appealing and lively.
Landed here, though, via another Collapsing Star song: "thoughts of collapsing stars" glasgow's richard youngs' "valley of the ultrahits" is.gd/5N9kq
See also 1977 report on collapsing stars of Orion jstor.org/pss/3962115