Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
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Our step mom, we did everything to hate her
She took us down to the edge of Decatur
We saw the lion and the kangaroo take her
Down to the river where they caught a wild alligator
Sangamon River it overflowed
Civil War skeletons in their graves
They came up clapping in the spirit of the aviator
The sound of the engines and the smell of the grain
We go riding on the abolition grain train
Steven A. Douglas was a great debater
But Abraham Lincoln was the great emancipator
Chicken mobile with your rooster tail
I had my fill and I know how bad it feels
Stay awake and watch for the data
No small caterpillar, go congratulate her
Denominator, go Decatur, go Decatur
It's the great I am
Abominate her, go Decatur, why did we hate her?
It's the great I am
Denominator, go Decatur, anticipate her
It's the great I am
Appreciates her, appreciate her
Stand up and thank her
Stand up and thank her
It's the great I am
Stand up and thank her
It's the great I am
Stand up and thank her
It's the great I am
Stand up and thank her
The song "Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!" by Sufjan Stevens has a somewhat abstract and cryptic set of lyrics, but with a closer look, it can be interpreted as a reflection on the complexity of relationships, specifically in the context of a blended family. The singer sings about his initial disdain for his stepmother but through a series of experiences and events, he comes to appreciate her and even sees her as deserving of admiration.
The first verse sets the scene, with the stepmother taking the singer and their family to the edge of Decatur, possibly as a punishment or to show them something important. They witness the capture of a wild alligator by a lion and a kangaroo, which could be seen as a metaphor for the blending of different cultures and backgrounds within a family. The second verse touches on the history of the area, with references to the Sangamon River causing a mudslide and uncovering Civil War skeletons. The mention of aviators clapping could be interpreted as a nod to the Wright brothers, who were from the Decatur area. The third verse contains more abstract language, but it seems to suggest the idea of growth and transformation, with references to a caterpillar and the acronym DATA (which could stand for Digital Audio Tape Archive or Data Accountability and Transparency Act).
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the way relationships can change and evolve over time, and how initial feelings of scorn or hostility can give way to appreciation and love.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four
The introductory count-in common in music
Our step mom, we did everything to hate her
We held animosity towards our stepmother and purposely acted out against her
She took us down to the edge of Decatur
She brought us to Decatur, Illinois and its surrounding areas
We saw the lion and the kangaroo take her
We witnessed wild animals overpower her
Down to the river where they caught a wild alligator
Where she was taken was near a river where they captured a wild alligator
Sangamon River it overflowed
The Sangamon River experienced a flood
It caused a mudslide on the banks of the operator
The flood led to a mudslide affecting the operator of the river area
Civil War skeletons in their graves
The graves of Civil War soldiers exist in the area
They came up clapping in the spirit of the aviator
The spirits of the deceased soldiers seemingly showed appreciation for the current events near their resting place
The sound of the engines and the smell of the grain
The noise of the engines and the aroma of grain were present in the area
We go riding on the abolition grain train
We rode on a train connected to the movement against slavery
Steven A. Douglas was a great debater
Steven A. Douglas was skilled in argumentation
But Abraham Lincoln was the great emancipator
Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his role in freeing enslaved individuals
Chicken mobile with your rooster tail
A vehicle resembling a chicken with a tail shaped like a rooster
I had my fill and I know how bad it feels
I have experienced enough and understand the negative emotions associated with reaching that point
Stay awake and watch for the data
Remain alert and aware of the surrounding information
No small caterpillar, go congratulate her
Do not underestimate the significance of this person whom we should applaud
Denominator, go Decatur, go Decatur
Denominator - representing something negative - should leave Decatur
It's the great I am
A reference to a religious identification of the Creator
Abominate her, go Decatur, why did we hate her?
We strongly disliked the woman, but why is that so?
Denominator, go Decatur, anticipate her
Something negative should expect this woman's presence
Appreciates her, appreciate her
We should show gratitude towards her
Stand up and thank her
A call to show appreciation physically
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind