The band has always sought to play a variety of music, both songs and instrumentals and with a large variety of guest musicians and sometimes some unusual instruments.
The current lineup features percussionist Marc Anderson, Todd Menton on vocals, guitar, mandolin and whistle, Dean Magraw on guitar, Drew Miller bassist and dulcimer player and David Stenshoel on fiddle and saxophone.
Boiled in Lead has been referenced by Mercedes Lackey in her Diane Tregarde novel, Children of the Night published in 1990 and by Emma Bull in her 1989 novel, War for the Oaks.
Robin's Complaint
Boiled in Lead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They chew the four chambers and spit out all the parts.
They paint their faces with such Byzantine arts
And leave you used up in the morning.
Beware of the women who promise blue skies
There's tornado warnings in the back of their saof eyes.
Like a weather forecaster, practiced in their lies
They'll leave you a disaster in the morning.
You can plow all their furrows and count up all their yields,
But then John Deere comes by with his newfangled wheels
And leaves you with the children in the morning.
The song "Robin's Complaint" by Boiled in Lead is a cautionary tale about women who are not what they seem. It is warning men to be careful of these women who can be dangerous and leave them feeling used and depleted. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and metaphors that really drive home the message.
The opening lines "Beware of the women who grind up men's hearts, They chew the four chambers and spit out all the parts" paints a gruesome picture of these women who are not only heartbreakers, but they are also destructive. They are portrayed as cannibals who consume the heart, the very essence of a person. The next lines continue to describe them as skilled liars, who promise happiness and sunny days, but in reality, they are bringing a storm of destruction. The metaphor of the weather forecaster who is practiced in their lies is a powerful one, as it highlights the idea that these women are experts in manipulation and deception.
The final verse takes a different approach, as it paints these women as fertile fields that can be plowed and harvested for their bounty. However, this too comes with a warning, as the arrival of John Deere and his modern equipment represents the new, modern world moving on from the more traditional ways. This metaphor suggests that these women may seem like a good investment at the time, but in the end, they may not be able to keep up with the changing times and leave the man alone with their children.
Overall, "Robin's Complaint" is a cautionary tale that speaks to the dangers of trusting someone based solely on appearance and promise. It urges men to be wary of women who may not have their best interests at heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Beware of the women who grind up men's hearts
Be cautious of women who hurt men deeply and mercilessly.
They chew the four chambers and spit out all the parts.
They destroy every part of a man's heart leaving nothing behind.
They paint their faces with such Byzantine arts
They disguise their true self with fancy makeup and complicated behavior.
And leave you used up in the morning.
After using you for their own satisfaction, they leave you feeling used and empty.
Beware of the women who promise blue skies
Be careful of women who make promises of happiness and joy.
There's tornado warnings in the back of their soft eyes.
Their gentle demeanor hides the storm of their deceitful nature.
Like a weather forecaster, practiced in their lies
They have mastered the art of deception and can predict the lies they will tell.
They'll leave you a disaster in the morning.
After they have taken what they want, they will leave you feeling like a disaster.
Beware of the women who open like fields
Be wary of women who appear to be open and loving.
You can plow all their furrows and count up all their yields,
You can explore every inch of their being and calculate their worth to you.
But then John Deere comes by with his newfangled wheels
Another man with better resources can easily take her away from you.
And leaves you with the children in the morning.
You are left alone to deal with the consequences of your actions, like raising the children she bore.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind