Colony of Birchmen
Mastodon Lyrics


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This forest is growing faster than I can tell
Cell structure eats away at a massive swell
Seems, however, I'm a victim of circumstance
Hunt for ogres and dwarfs
Lion slicer
Run with death
Run with death
White faces coming closer with every step
Earth envelopes taking breath without happenstance
Carve my teeth out, ripping through the sheep's head curse
Hunter gatherer
Ridden from the cave

Run with death
Run with death
Gone away
My heart's gone away
Taking everything
My heart's gone away
Take it now

Run with death
Run with death
Gone away
My heart's gone away
Taking everything




My heart's gone away
Take it now

Overall Meaning

Mastodon's "Colony of Birchmen" talks about a forest that is growing faster than the person can keep up with. The song opens with the line "this forest is growing faster than I can tell," which sets the pace for the rest of the song. As the forest grows, it devours the cell structure that's present. The singer in the song is unsure of what's happening to him. He feels like a victim of circumstance as he searches for ogres and dwarfs while running with death.


The lyrics in the first verse of the song depict the singer's confusion as to what's happening around him, with white faces coming closer with every step. The earth seems to be taking his breath away without any warning. The chorus of the song repeats the line "run with death" twice, emphasizing the importance of the meditation on the inevitability of death, and acknowledging that it may be time to let go. The second verse in the song talks about "carving my teeth out, ripping through the sheep's head curse." This line may be interpreted as the singer taking control of his life amidst the chaos that surrounds him. The lyrics in the bridge - "gone away, my heart's gone away, taking everything, my heart's gone away" - may refer to the singer's loss of control over his life.


Line by Line Meaning

This forest is growing faster than I can tell
The growth of this forest is happening so fast that it's hard to keep up


Cell structure eats away at a massive swell
The tree cells are breaking down the large mass of the forest


Seems, however, I'm a victim of circumstance
I feel like my fate is out of my control


Hunt for ogres and dwarfs
I am searching for mythical creatures


Lion slicer
I am a skilled hunter, capable of killing large predators


White faces coming closer with every step
Death is approaching, and I cannot escape it


Earth envelopes taking breath without happenstance
The earth is taking away my life without any apparent reason


Carve my teeth out, ripping through the sheep's head curse
I am willing to do whatever it takes to overcome any obstacle in my way


Hunter gatherer
I am a primitive human, surviving through hunting and gathering


Ridden from the cave
I have left my old way of life behind and embraced a new one


Gone away
Everything I once knew and loved is no longer with me


My heart's gone away
I have lost the passion and drive that once fueled me


Taking everything
Life continues to take things away, leaving me with nothing


Take it now
I am ready to accept whatever fate has in store for me


Run with death
I am willing to face death and run with it, rather than fight it


Run with death
I am willing to face death and run with it, rather than fight it


Gone away
Everything I once knew and loved is no longer with me


My heart's gone away
I have lost the passion and drive that once fueled me


Taking everything
Life continues to take things away, leaving me with nothing


Take it now
I am ready to accept whatever fate has in store for me




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRENT HINDS, WILLIAM KELLIHER, TROY SANDERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Eric Pederson

This forest is growing faster than I can tell
Cell structure eats away at a massive swell
Seems however I'm a victim of circumstance

Hunt for ogres and dwarfs
Lion slicer

Run with death
Run with death

White faces coming closer with every step
Earth envelopes taking breath without happenstance
Carve my teeth out ripping through the sheep's head curse

Hunter gatherer
Ridden from the cave

Run with death
Run with death

Gone away
My heart's gone away
Taking everything
My heart's gone away
Take it now

Run with death
Run with death

Gone away
My heart's gone away
Taking everything
My heart's gone away
Take it now



All comments from YouTube:

makemebad35

I like these guys new sound, pretty sweet!

President Shapiro

Not new anymore lol

Hydra X9K Music

15 years ago, jesus time flys

Angelo TriNidad

Wow what an old ass comment lol

Patrick star

Bro wake up itโ€™s 2007

Mike Madsen

@Patrick star fuuuuuuck

4 More Replies...

Kurt Cocaine

The song that mad me obsessed with this genre of music, the song that made me addicted to Mastodon and genuinely changed my perspective on a lot of things.
Absolutely fucking amazing.

Joshua R

Its stoner rock from Atlanta, when i saw them live it sounded like ass.

Victor C. Herte

Same here, man. Same.

Wilton King

Thereโ€™s a fine line between music and art. These guys dance on that line every single day.

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