Band of Horses was formed by Ben Bridwell (guitar, vocals) and Mat Brooke (guitar) in 2004 after the break-up of their previous band, Carissa's Wierd. Rob and Creighton were formerly of the mathrock band The New Mexicans before joining Band of Horses. The group initially got attention from Sub Pop records after opening for Iron & Wine in Seattle area shows. In 2005, the band released their debut EP, Band of Horses Tour EP, which was sold exclusively at shows and on Sub Pop's website. Their debut full-length, Everything All the Time was recorded in 2005 with producer Phil Ek and released on March 21, 2006 to generally good reviews.
On July 13, 2006, Band of Horses appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman sans Brooke. As of July 25, 2006, Mat Brooke left Band of Horses to focus more on his other band, Grand Archives, who had also signed to Sub Pop.
The band's second album, Cease to Begin, was released on October 9 2007. The band has recently moved its base of operations from Seattle to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Their album, Infinite Arms, was released in May of 2010.
Their album, Mirage Rock, was released in September 2012.
Their latest album, Why Are You OK? was released in June 2016.
Boat to Row
Band of Horses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sleepin' out on the ground tonight.
Dilly now, now that I'm comin' home,
Dilly, you got someone to answer to.
Callin' out;
Ain't no way you're on your own.
Fallin' out;
Dilly, I made up my mind long ago. I shoulda known. I shoulda known. Oh, I shoulda known.
Dilly I, I never wanted to,
Have to, oh, lie to you.
Dilly I, I ain't ashamed a you,
Coz Dilly, I'm professin' too.
Callin' out;
Ain't no way you're own your own.
I'm fuckin' out on my own.
But Dilly, I made up my mind long ago. I shoulda known. I shoulda known. I, I shoulda known.
But bidin' time's a boat to row, ah.
You and I: I shoulda known. I shoulda known. I, I shoulda known.
But Dilly you, you've been called lazy boy,
Starin' out on the bedroom wall.
Now anytime you feel like comin' out,
Ya ain't too proud, ya ain't too proud to say hello, oh
The song “Boat to Row” by Band of Horses is a melancholic and introspective song about the difficulties of relationships and the regret that can arise from the choices that are made. The lyrics are quite cryptic, but upon closer inspection, it seems like the song is about a person named Dilly who the singer had a relationship with, but for some reason the singer is no longer with Dilly. The song has a resolute, plaintive melody that reflects the regretful nature of the lyrics.
The song begins with the singer confessing that they never wanted Dilly, which is a bold statement to make. The singer then goes on to describe how they are sleeping outside on the ground tonight and that Dilly now has someone else to answer to since the singer is coming home. The call and response between the singer and Dilly in the chorus highlights the sense of loneliness and abandonment that both characters are feeling. The line, “But bidin' time's a boat to row, ah,” emphasizes that time is both the river that carries them forward and the boat that they are rowing themselves in.
The final verse is about Dilly, who is portrayed as being lazy and staring at the bedroom wall. The singer urges Dilly to come out and say hello, underscoring a desire for reconciliation. Overall, the song “Boat to Row” is a reminder of the importance of reflection and self-awareness in relationships, and the need to make difficult choices in order to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Dilly I, I never wanted you,
I never had an interest in you, Dilly.
Sleepin' out on the ground tonight.
I'm sleeping on the ground tonight.
Dilly now, now that I'm comin' home,
Now that I'm returning home, Dilly,
Dilly, you got someone to answer to.
You have some explaining to do, Dilly.
Callin' out;
I am shouting out.
Ain't no way you're on your own.
You're not alone.
Fallin' out;
I'm leaving.
Your companion now.
You have a new companion now.
Dilly, I made up my mind long ago. I shoulda known. I shoulda known. Oh, I shoulda known.
Dilly, I decided a long time ago that this would happen. I should have known it would end up this way.
Dilly I, I never wanted to,
Dilly, I never wanted to have to lie to you.
Have to, oh, lie to you.
Lie to you, which I have done.
Dilly I, I ain't ashamed a you,
Dilly, I'm not ashamed of you.
Coz Dilly, I'm professin' too.
Because I'm professing my love for you, Dilly.
I'm fuckin' out on my own.
I'm leaving by myself.
But bidin' time's a boat to row, ah.
But waiting for the right moment takes time and patience.
You and I: I shoulda known. I shoulda known. I, I shoulda known.
You and I, Dilly, I should have known it would turn out like this.
But Dilly you, you've been called lazy boy,
Dilly, you've been called lazy.
Starin' out on the bedroom wall.
You're staring at the bedroom wall.
Now anytime you feel like comin' out,
If you ever feel like leaving the house,
Ya ain't too proud, ya ain't too proud to say hello, oh
Don't be too proud to say hello to me.
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leyla
I love the melancholia in it. Love love!
Conrad Zacharias
This one straight soothes my soul 🙏
xfredxcxholmesx
Sure wish I could buy this song on itunes
Turbo Tumy
I love it.
Stuart Martinson
This is a great version. I've only been able to find the live recording. What album is this from?
xfredxcxholmesx
@Nick Mei if i were them id release it and pay them. this is the best song they ever wrote.
Nick Mei
Its on an original demo they sold at shows when they first started out but you will probably never find it realeased because then they would have to pay the original members that played on the recording royalties
MrTradisrad
Man that early unsigned demo is awesome...then shortly after they were really good, sad to watch their fall into mediocrity but at least they make money on what they put these days
Mariangeles Petit Chiarelli
wow 👌
bloodtriangulum
crushing