Millbrook
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics


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The boys and girls of Millbrook
Are on the train from New York
Wearing new hats, shooting the shit
Deep in the heart of Dutchess County, bounty

And all the evening breakdowns,
Will soon be washed from their hands
The next very day, as they make way
Eating the apple to the chapel, holy

Don't even try,
They'll get away with murder
Sure as the rain washes away
And brings thunder

Oh, tell me can you see
The gentle tower rising?




Over the pines, out of a book
Zion mistaken for the state of Millbrook

Overall Meaning

The song Millbrook by Rufus Wainwright tells a story about a group of boys and girls from Millbrook who take a train from New York, wearing new hats and talking about their lives. Millbrook is a small town in upstate New York, and the song describes the beautiful nature and the peaceful life in Millbrook. The song is a tribute to the simple life and the beauty of the countryside, and how it contrasts with the chaos and noise of the city.


The lyrics also suggest that the boys and girls of Millbrook are innocent and pure. They eat apples on their way to the chapel, which reflects their spirituality and purity. The line "Don't even try, they'll get away with murder" suggests that they are untouchable, innocent and holy, and can get away with anything. The gentle tower rising over the pines is a symbol of spirituality and peace.


Interestingly, the song also refers to Zion being mistaken for the state of Millbrook. That is an allusion to the biblical Zion which is often used as a metaphor for a peaceful and holy place where people can live in peace and harmony. The song reflects Wainwright's deep connection to the simplicity of rural life, spiritualism and the beauty of nature.


Line by Line Meaning

The boys and girls of Millbrook
Referring to the people from the town of Millbrook


Are on the train from New York
Currently traveling from New York City to Millbrook by train


Wearing new hats, shooting the shit
Casually chatting while wearing new hats as a form of early excitement


Deep in the heart of Dutchess County, bounty
Referring to the town of Millbrook in Dutchess County; likely indicating they are anticipating new opportunities or advantages in the town


And all the evening breakdowns,
Any negative thoughts or events from the previous evening


Will soon be washed from their hands
Will be forgotten or erased from their memory


The next very day, as they make way
The following day, when they arrive at their destination


Eating the apple to the chapel, holy
Unsure, but possibly indicating a desire to return to their religious roots or a connection to the apple orchards present in the town or both.


Don't even try,
There is no use in trying to stop or change the following events


They'll get away with murder
They will be successful, regardless of any potential obstacles


Sure as the rain washes away
Similar to the certainty of rain washing away dirt


And brings thunder
Inevitably leading to thunder from the dark clouds


Oh, tell me can you see
Asking if the listener can perceive or notice something in particular


The gentle tower rising?
Referring to something building up or coming into view in the town


Over the pines, out of a book
Emerging from the background scenery like a storybook tale


Zion mistaken for the state of Millbrook
A reference to a biblical concept of paradise being mistaken for the actual physical town of Millbrook




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rufus Wainwright

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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