Jefferson
Early Day Miners Lyrics


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bridges of railroad ties
quarry swimming pools
careless, falling, beautiful
summer bright and full
wooden front porch stairs
angels mark the sky
how do you pretend?
how do you forget?
folding settlements
the pioneers outside are breaking down the doors
making room for more
history at hand
history roams free
free from our new regime
jefferson at rest




what do you suggest?
dust and sediment

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Early Day Miners' song Jefferson evoke a feeling of nostalgia and reflection on a bygone era. The imagery of bridges made of railroad ties and quarry swimming pools conjure up images of a simpler, more rural time. The use of the word "careless" to describe this beauty suggests that it was taken for granted and not appreciated enough. This feeling is further emphasized by the line "how do you pretend? how do you forget?" which seems to suggest that the singer is struggling to remember these moments of beauty and simplicity.


The lyrics then shift to a darker tone with the mention of "folding settlements" and pioneers breaking down doors to make room for more. The use of the word "settlers" suggests a violent displacement of native communities, and the phrase "making room for more" implies a never-ending cycle of destruction and expansion. The line "free from our new regime" suggests a reflection on how history is often written by the victors and how the current power structure dictates who is remembered and who is forgotten. The song ends with the simple image of "dust and sediment," suggesting that all that remains of this history are fragments and memories that are easily washed away or forgotten.


Line by Line Meaning

bridges of railroad ties
Structures built from wooden planks to cross over railways.


quarry swimming pools
Pools of water created from excavated rocks and minerals.


careless, falling, beautiful
Objects or experiences that are aesthetically pleasing, yet fleeting and not rooted in permanence.


summer bright and full
The season of summer in its full glory, characterized by long days and abundant sunshine.


wooden front porch stairs
Steps leading to a house's porch, made from wooden planks.


angels mark the sky
The presence of ethereal beings, often symbolizing peace and hope.


how do you pretend?
Asking how one manages to fake emotions or actions that are not genuinely felt or true.


how do you forget?
Asking how one manages to erase memories or feelings that are painful or unwanted.


folding settlements
Communities of people that are prone to collapsing or being dismantled.


the pioneers outside are breaking down the doors
Early settlers and explorers who challenge conventional boundaries and rules, pushing for progress and change.


making room for more
Creating space for new ideas, people, and experiences.


history at hand
A sense of palpable and ongoing connection to past events and figures.


history roams free
The concept that history is not a fixed or rigid entity, but rather fluid and ever-changing.


free from our new regime
Liberated from a new system of power or governance that may feel oppressive or constraining.


jefferson at rest
Referring to the famous American figure or symbol, resting in a peaceful or eternal state.


what do you suggest?
Asking for advice or input on a particular issue or topic.


dust and sediment
Tiny particles that have settled on surfaces over time, often symbolizing accumulated history or time passing.




Contributed by Skyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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