A Bower Scene
The Decemberists Lyrics
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Said the sister
When wilt thou trouble the water
In the cistern
And what irascible black Bart
Is the father
And when young Margarete's waistline
Grew wider
The fruit of her amorous centaur
Inside her
And so our heroine withdraws
To the Taiga
The Decemberists' song "A Bower Scene" is a somber and mysterious ballad that tells the story of a young woman who has faced untold suffering and eventually retreats into isolation in the Taiga. The lyrics speak to the lingering effects of trauma and the pull of the natural world when the human world becomes unbearable.
The song's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the piece, with the 'inconsolable daughter' being the titular heroine, and her unnamed sister expressing a desire for her to disrupt the stagnant water, symbolizing a desire for change. The mention of 'irascible black Bart' as the father suggests that there was discord in the family dynamic that contributed to the heroine's eventual breakdown. Additionally, the reference to 'young Margarete's waistline' growing wider suggests that the young woman may have been victimized in some way, either through incest or sexual assault, which is further hinted at with the mention of the 'amorous centaur' inside her.
The final lines of the song, which reference the Taiga, evoke a sense of natural wonder and beauty, while also speaking to the character's desire to escape from the pain of her past. Overall, "A Bower Scene" is a haunting and evocative piece that speaks to the complexities of human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Thou inconsolable daughter
You, my dear daughter, cannot be comforted
Said the sister
Said the sibling of the daughter
When wilt thou trouble the water
When will you disturb the calm surface of the water
In the cistern
Located in the covered tank where water is stored
And what irascible black Bart
Who is this angry, temperamental, dark-skinned man called Bart
Is the father
Who happens to be the father
And when young Margarete's waistline
And when the young Margarete's tummy area
Grew wider
Expanded in size
The fruit of her amorous centaur
The result of her love for a half-human, half-horse creature
Inside her
Located within her body
And so our heroine withdraws
Therefore, our main character retreats
To the Taiga
To a forested area with coniferous trees, known as the Taiga
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: COLIN MELOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind