This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Me and you on Gallows Hill
1980, 1 or 2
Hurry up and tie your shoe
We’re gonna be late for school
Passing through the gravestones as we’re drawing near
I do not know anyone who’s buried here
In the basement singing songs
“Hughie, turn the PA on”
Judy let us rock that room
Out of time and out of tune
Walk the streets of Lunenburg, recall the time
I’m counting all the crows upon the power line
It’s beyond, beyond, beyond
I don’t know where to go, I don’t know where to run
It’s beyond, beyond, beyond
Of any place I know, this is the darkest one
In ‘87 I moved away
So long, boys, I’ll be back someday
I’ll visit every now and then
“It’s the Beginning of the End”
Judy’d come to see us when we played in town
Family and friends are so important now
September shaking sadness sings
Now look at what October brings
Answering the phones that ring
People speak unspeakable things
Trying to think of something I can say to them
Coming up with nothing
Again, again, again
Me and you on Gallows Hill
So much anger left to kill
You’re drifting out and drifting in
Where to end, where to begin?
Passing through the gravestones as we’re drawing near
Somebody we know and love is buried here
Anger flows like rivers deep
But in my heart I swear I’ll keep
Beauty, love and people close
Because that is what we need the most
The green grass on the hillside grows so high and true
They’d need a million crows to kill a sky this blue
1980, 1 or 2
Hurry up and tie your shoe
We’re gonna be late for school
Passing through the gravestones as we’re drawing near
I do not know anyone who’s buried here
In the basement singing songs
“Hughie, turn the PA on”
Judy let us rock that room
Out of time and out of tune
Walk the streets of Lunenburg, recall the time
I’m counting all the crows upon the power line
It’s beyond, beyond, beyond
I don’t know where to go, I don’t know where to run
It’s beyond, beyond, beyond
Of any place I know, this is the darkest one
In ‘87 I moved away
So long, boys, I’ll be back someday
I’ll visit every now and then
“It’s the Beginning of the End”
Judy’d come to see us when we played in town
Family and friends are so important now
September shaking sadness sings
Now look at what October brings
Answering the phones that ring
People speak unspeakable things
Trying to think of something I can say to them
Coming up with nothing
Again, again, again
Me and you on Gallows Hill
So much anger left to kill
You’re drifting out and drifting in
Where to end, where to begin?
Passing through the gravestones as we’re drawing near
Somebody we know and love is buried here
Anger flows like rivers deep
But in my heart I swear I’ll keep
Beauty, love and people close
Because that is what we need the most
The green grass on the hillside grows so high and true
They’d need a million crows to kill a sky this blue
Lyrics submitted by uncola
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To me, the song is about leaving home and coming back to find that everything's changed except the scenery. You can come home, see your same old friends, go to the same places you used to and do the same things, yet nothing's the same. I know that's probably not what the song is REALLY about, but that's what it means to me.
On a more general note: I absolutely LOVE the imagery created by the closing line. I about shat myself the first time I heard it. The whole final verse is perfection.
Agreed, the last verse, especially the last line about the crows is just amazing. Especially because it mentions the crows on the power lines at the beginning, and then the image comes back and just ties the whole song together. <br /> <br /> Beautiful song, kind of didn't notice it for a while amongst the millions of other songs on the album but now that I have, it's one of my favourites for sure.<br /> <br />
I'd say the song is very obviously about Joel's childhood in Lunenburg, NS. Growing up with friends, playing in crappy bands, etc, and his friend Judy. Obviously Joel eventually leaves his small town for bigger things, but never forgets his friends and family he left behind. Judy was tragically taken before her time, hence comparing the two journeys through Gallows Hill that take place in the song, comparing the first line "I do not know any who's buried here" to "someone that we know and love is buried here".<br /> <br /> Also, Judy is referenced in On & On & On in the verse about those that Joel's lost "I sing a verse now<br /> For those come and gone<br /> And left this earth now<br /> And we’re stuck here rolling on<br /> I can still hear Tappen tap<br /> I can still hear Judy’s laugh<br /> Helen’s making movies<br /> And my Granny Kay, she’s baking cookies<br /> They’ve come and gone now"<br /> <br /> Just the look on Joel's face when singing this song live was enough to prove to me that everything he talked about the 'anger left to kill' and 'flowing like rivers deep' that he's one of the most honest musicians both musically and emotionally I've ever had the opportunity to see and hear.