As with their debut, Black Forest was recorded at Smart Studios in the band’s hometown of Madison, Wisconsin and produced by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab For Cutie, Sparklehorse). Recorded and mixed in less than two weeks, Black Forest is Pale Young Gentlemen’s first release with Madison-based label Science of Sound.
Pale Young Gentlemen currently consist of:
Mike Reisenauer- vocals, guitar, piano
Matt Reisenauer- percussion
Brett Randall- bass
Beth Morgan- cello
Gwen Miller- viola, bells
As of August 2011, Pale Young Gentlemen are on an indefinite hiatus.
Fraulein
Pale Young Gentlemen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with a lift to the table
from the barman
whose patrons are growing
restless for the showing
'fore the show.
make grown men babies
tonight.
Brother
see her
drink her
milk white glory.
She will turn me down,
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
Piano player lingers
backstage with the singers
poor piano
(more piano)
Weeps without a sound
so silent he is found at the fort line.
Handsome ladies sing swooning maybe's tonight.
Brother
see her
drink her
milk white glory.
She will turn me down
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
Milk white.
A perfect concentration,
an object of elation
is a fraulein.
She flirts without knowing
A fiction of a growing
fool's smile.
Young and unable
yet kings upon our table
tonight.
Brother
see her
drink her
milk white glory.
She will turn me down
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
The Pale Young Gentlemen's "Fraulein" is a melancholy song that speaks about unrequited love and the beauty of a woman who seems to captivate everyone around her. The song is set in a bar where the singer and other patrons are waiting for a show by some singers who are backstage. The barman lifts a table for some of the patrons to get a better view of the show, while the piano player lingers backstage with the singers. The singer admires the beauty of a woman he calls "fraulein" and pines for her, despite knowing that he will probably be turned down.
In the first verse, the singer mentions that their glances have become bolder, thanks to the barman's help. The bar patrons are growing restless with anticipation for the show, and the handsome ladies are having a profound effect on the grown men. The singer, in particular, feels captivated by the woman he calls "fraulein" and longs for her attention. He knows that his feelings will not be reciprocated, but he still waits for the opportunity to show her that he is around and interested.
The second verse describes the piano player weeping silently backstage. The handsome ladies sing swooning melodies, and the fraulein flirts without even knowing. The singer describes the fraulein as an object of elation and concentration, a woman whose beauty captures the attention of everyone in the room. The song ends with the singer pining for the fraulein, despite the knowledge that she will probably turn him down.
Line by Line Meaning
Our glances made able
with a lift to the table
from the barman
Our look was powerful, with the bartender's help, he lifts spirits
whose patrons are growing
restless for the showing
'fore the show.
The bar's regulars are getting impatient before the performance
Handsome ladies
make grown men babies
tonight.
The women are stunning, making the men feel young and innocent
Brother
see her
drink her
milk white glory.
My friend, look at her while she drinks, it's pure and beautiful like milk
She will turn me down,
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
I know she's going to reject me, but I want her to know that I still exist and hopelessly miss her
Piano player lingers
backstage with the singers
poor piano
(more piano)
The pianist stays behind with the vocalists to continue playing more music
Weeps without a sound
so silent he is found at the fort line.
He cries without making any noise and is discovered close to the battlefront
Handsome ladies sing swooning maybe's tonight.
Beautiful women sing romantic and ambiguous lyrics tonight
She will turn me down
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
I know she's going to deny me, but I want her to realize that I exist and continue to miss her
Milk white.
White like milk, symbolizing purity and innocence
A perfect concentration,
an object of elation
is a fraulein.
A fraulein is a cause for great happiness and is an ideal focus of affection
She flirts without knowing
A fiction of a growing
fool's smile.
She unknowingly flirts, which causes foolish infatuation to grow
Young and unable
yet kings upon our table
tonight.
Despite their youth and inexperience, these women reign supreme on our table tonight
Brother
see her
drink her
milk white glory.
My friend, watch her drink and appreciate her beauty
She will turn me down
but then at least know that I'm around.
So I pine
for my fraulein.
Although I expect her to reject me, I still want her to acknowledge my presence and forlorn longing
Writer(s): Pale Young Gentlemen
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.