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Better Not Wake the Baby Lyrics

Kick a hole in the hallway
While singing like a painted lady
Use your skull like a cannonball
But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on?
How long, indeed?
You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby

Make your moan of your lot in life
Split your mind half crazy
Gouge your eyes with a butter knife
But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on?
How long, indeed?
You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby

Drown yourself in crocodile tears
Curse the gods what made 'ye
Pine away for your better years
But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on?
How long, indeed?
You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on?
How long, indeed?
You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone
But it better not wake the baby
2 Meanings

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Cover art for Better Not Wake the Baby lyrics by Decemberists, The

I'm thinking that this song was probably the product of Colin being warned about playing his music a little too loud while his wife was trying to see that their new baby, Milo, gets rest. So, with typical Meloy flair he let's loose with some really macabre imagery; "Use your skull like a cannonball" and "Gouge your eyes with a butter knife", for example. Maybe there was a little contention that spurred his imagination to violence? That's my take...........for now.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Better Not Wake the Baby lyrics by Decemberists, The

Correct lyrics :

Kick a hole in the hallway While singing like a painted lady Use your skull like a cannonball But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on? How long, indeed? You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone But it better not wake the baby

Make your moan of your lot in life Split your mind half crazy Gouge your eyes with a butter knife But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on? How long, indeed? You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone But it better not wake the baby

Drown yourself in crocodile tears Curse the gods what made 'ye Pine away for your better years But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on? How long, indeed? You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone But it better not wake the baby

How long will this go on? How long, indeed? You can bang a drum 'till the money's all gone But it better not wake the baby

@Cyberghost "Pine away for your banner years". More or less the same meaning.

@Cyberghost A few lines I think are different:

Kick a hole in the hallway wall Singin' like a painted lady Use your skull like a cannonball But it better not wake the baby

And I'm pretty sure he sings:

"Pine away for your banner years"

I love this song, it's all about hyperbole and how having a sleeping baby can be a very precious thing to new parents.

 
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