I've written pages upon pages trying to rid you from my bones

[timepiececlock]

I am rapidly becoming obsessed with this song. Particularly the third verse.

The Decemberists

"The Engine Driver"

I'm an engine driver
On a long run, on a long run
Would I work beside her
She's a long one, such a long one

And if you don't love me let me go
And if you don't love me let me go

I'm a country lineman
On a high line, on a high line
So will be my grandson
There are powerlines in our bloodlines

And if you don't love me let me go
And if you don't love me let me go

And I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
And I've written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
My bones
My bones

I'm a money lender
I have fortunes upon fortunes
Take my hand for tender
I am tortured, ever tortured

And if you don't love me let me go
And if you don't love me let me go

And I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
And I've written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
I am a writer, I am all that you have home
Home
And I've written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
My bones
My bones

Comments

[octopedingenue]

Oh God I am so obsessed with that song. It's one of my Fakir songs, among other things ("there are powerlines in our bloodlines").

[I am the heart that you call home]

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

You're right, it's a great Fakir song!

I only started being obsessed with it this last weekend. Now I'm listening to it constantly.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Is it just my imagination, or do you think "Take my hand for tender" is a reference to Shakespeare's "pound of flesh"? Coming right after "money lender" line. Either way, it's a powerful image.

[hex-the-ex.livejournal.com]

oh yes, its suchhhhhh a good song! definantly one of my favorite Decemberists songs, or near the top of the list. Saw them live last year and it was amazing to year.

Personal favorite line: "We have power lines in our blood lines"
in and out of context of the song.
Also particularly love the writer parts of the song....oh and all the rest.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Is it just my imagination, or do you think "Take my hand for tender" is a reference to Shakespeare's "pound of flesh"? Either way, it's a powerful image.


"We have power lines in our bloodlines" is a GREAT line. I'm also a big fan of "And I've written pages upon pages, trying to rid you from my bones."


I like the Decemberists, but sometimes the singer's voice gets annoying after listening too much. I find myself wondering what a song like this would sound like sung by someone else-- like Jeff Buckley, or maybe a female singer like Eva Cassidy or Alison Krauss. I bet this song would sound AMAZING wiht Alison Krauss.