The band takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the two lived together after college and has released three albums, "Charm School" (2003), "The Broken String" (2007) and "Grrr..." (2009).
Charm School (2003)
Charm School was Bishop Allen's first record. Recorded in fits and starts over two years, it grew song-by-song as Rice and Rudder wrote and played in their spare time. They recorded all the instruments on the album's 13 songs themselves, using drum loops to hide the fact that neither is a drummer, and almost everything on the record was recorded one track at a time in an ordinary bedroom. Backing vocals by Bonnie Schiff-Glenn and Kate Dollenmayer and supplementary drums by Coll Anderson, all added in the album's final stages, completed the songs.
The EP Project (2006)
In 2006, Bishop Allen recorded and released an EP every month of the year. Each record was titled for the month of its release (January, February, and so on), and, with the exception of August, which was a 14-song live disc, each contained four new studio songs.
The Broken String (2007)
In November 2006, Bishop Allen signed to Dead Oceans, a new sister label to Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, for a modest advance. They began recording a new record that January, at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, and delivered it two months later. This is Bishop Allen's first true studio recording and was released by Dead Oceans on July 24, 2007.
Grrr.... (2009)
Released in March 2009, this doesn't stray from Bishop Allen's specific brand of lovely indie pop.
Abe Lincoln
Bishop Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did his best to end depression
Good thinker, smart talker
Very tall man, very fast walker
Oh, lord, what a shame
Got shot down by three white name
Abe Lincoln, where are you now?
Did his best to end depression
Oh yeah, his brother too
Their hearts was big, though their blood was blue
Oh, lord, what a shame
Sirhan Sirhan had such good aim
Got shot down by three white name
Kennedy boys, where are you now?
In heaven
In heaven
In heaven
You're in heaven now
In heaven
In heaven
In heaven
They're in heaven now
MLK, God bless him
Malcolm X, God bless him
Mahatma Gandhi, God bless him
John Lennon, God bless him
Oh lord, what a shame
They got gunned down at the height of their fame
We need you, boy, where are you now?
Ronald Reagan, why oh why?
How do you manage to slide on by?
The song "Abe Lincoln" by Bishop Allen pays tribute to historical figures who have made significant contributions to society but who were tragically assassinated. The song begins with the singer praising Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, for his efforts to end the depression that gripped the country during his time in office. The song describes him as a good thinker and smart talker, as well as a tall and fast walker, highlighting his intelligence, charisma, and physical presence. However, the song takes a somber turn as the singer laments the fact that Lincoln was shot down by three white men, emphasizing the senseless violence that claimed the life of a great leader.
The song then shifts to other historical figures who were similarly targeted by assassins, including Robert F. Kennedy and his brother, John F. Kennedy. The song refers to their big hearts despite their blue blood, alluding to their privileged upbringing and social status, but also recognizing their commitment to social justice and equality. The song again emphasizes the shame of their senseless murders at the hands of white men, highlighting the systemic and pervasive nature of violence against marginalized communities.
The song then concludes with a list of other influential figures who were also assassinated, including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi, and John Lennon. The song recognizes their profound impact on society and laments their tragic deaths, calling out for their continued presence and guidance in a world that still struggles with violence, inequality, and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Abe Lincoln, God bless him
Praising Abraham Lincoln
Did his best to end depression
He worked hard to end the Great Depression
Good thinker, smart talker
He was intelligent and articulate
Very tall man, very fast walker
He was physically imposing and fast on his feet
Oh, lord, what a shame
Expressing sorrow and disappointment
Got shot down by three white name
He was assassinated by three white men
Abe Lincoln, where are you now?
Asking the rhetorical question, where is he now?
RFK, God bless him
Praising Robert Kennedy
Oh yeah, his brother too
Also acknowledging JFK's efforts
Their hearts was big, though their blood was blue
Their intentions were good despite their privileged upbringing
Sirhan Sirhan had such good aim
The assassin was skilled and accurate
Kennedy boys, where are you now?
Asking where the brothers are now
In heaven
Stating that they are in heaven
MLK, God bless him
Praising Martin Luther King Jr.
Malcolm X, God bless him
Praising Malcolm X
Mahatma Gandhi, God bless him
Praising Mahatma Gandhi
John Lennon, God bless him
Praising John Lennon
They got gunned down at the height of their fame
They were assassinated during a period of high visibility and influence
We need you, boy, where are you now?
Expressing a desire for their leadership in the present time
Ronald Reagan, why oh why?
Expressing frustration with the perception that Ronald Reagan received favorable treatment or is remembered positively despite his own controversies
How do you manage to slide on by?
Questioning how he avoided similar scrutiny and criticism
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.