They Are Night Zombies They Are Neighbors They Have Come Back From the Dead
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Ring the bell and call or write us
IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Can you call the Captain Clitus?
(Who will save it?)
Logan, Grant, and Ronald Reagan
(Dedicate it?) in the grave with Xylophagan
(Who will praise it?)
Do you know the ghost community?
(Commemorate it for you?)
Sound the horn, address the city

We are awakened with the axe
Night of the living dead at last
They have begun to shake the dirt
Wiping their shoulders from the earth
I know, I know the nation's past
I know, I know they rust at last
They tremble with the nervous thought
Of having been, at last, forgot

IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Ring the bell and call or write us
IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Can you call the Captain Clitus?
(Who will save it?) b-U-D-A! Caledonia
(Dedicate it?) s-E-C-O-R! Magnolia
(Who will praise it?) b-IR-D-S! And Kankakee
(Commemorate it for you?)
Evansville and Parker City

Speaking their names, they shake the flag
Waking the earth, it lifts and lags
We see a thousand rooms to rest
Helping us taste the bite of death
I know, I know my time is passed
I’m not so young, I’m not so fast
I tremble with the nervous thought
Of having been, at last, forgot

IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Ring the bell and call or write us
IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Can you call the Captain Clitus?
(Who will save it?) comer and Potato Peelers
(Dedicate it?) g-R-E-E-N Ridge! Reeders
(Who will praise it?) m-C-V-E-Y! And Horace
(Commemorate it for you?)
E-N-O-S! Start the chorus

Corn and farms and tombs in Lemmon
(Who will save it?) I know
I know the nations past
Sailor Springs and all things feminine
(Dedicate it?) I know
I know they rust at last
Centerville and Old Metropolis
(Who will praise it?) They tremble
With the nervous thought
Shawneetown, you trade and topple us
(Commemorate it for you?) Of
Having been, at last, forgot
IL-L-IN-O-IS! (Who will save it?) I know
I know the nations past
Hold your tongue and don’t divide us
(Dedicate it?) I know
I know they rust at last iL-L-IN-O-IS!
(Who will praise it?) They tremble
With the nervous thought
Land of God, you hold and guide us




(Commemorate it for you?) Of
Having been, at last, forgot

Overall Meaning

"They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!!" by Sufjan Stevens captures the sense of nostalgia and loss that comes from the passing of time and the fading memories of a place and its people. The song is an ode to the state of Illinois, with each verse calling out different towns and cities within the state. The repeated chant of "IL-L-IN-O-IS!" serves as a rallying cry, a way to gather attention and remind people of the rich history and heritage of Illinois.


The lyrics depict an eerie, almost apocalyptic scene with references to night zombies, shaking dirt, and the restless dead. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the forgotten past, the spirits and legacies of the people who once inhabited these places. As time passes, memories fade, and the once vibrant communities are left feeling abandoned and neglected.


Line by Line Meaning

IL-L-IN-O-IS!
Illinois!


Ring the bell and call or write us
Summon us, get our attention


Can you call the Captain Clitus?
Can you contact someone important?


(Who will save it?) Logan, Grant, and Ronald Reagan
Historical figures associated with Illinois who might save it


(Dedicate it?) in the grave with Xylophagan
Dedicate something to the memory of Xylophagan, someone from the past


(Who will praise it?) Do you know the ghost community?
Are you aware of the forgotten spirits of the past?


(Commemorate it for you?) Sound the horn, address the city
Make a proclamation or announcement for everyone to hear


We are awakened with the axe
We are stirred awake, ready for action


Night of the living dead at last
The long-awaited night of the undead has arrived


They have begun to shake the dirt
The zombies are rising from their graves


Wiping their shoulders from the earth
Brushing off the dirt, standing tall


I know, I know the nation's past
I am familiar with the history of the nation


I know, I know they rust at last
I understand that they eventually fade away or become forgotten


They tremble with the nervous thought
They are anxious about being forgotten


Of having been, at last, forgot
The fear of finally being erased from memory


Speaking their names, they shake the flag
By acknowledging them, their presence becomes more prominent


Waking the earth, it lifts and lags
Reviving the land, causing it to rise and fall


We see a thousand rooms to rest
We see countless opportunities to find solace


Helping us taste the bite of death
Allowing us to experience mortality


I know, I know my time is passed
I understand that my era has come to an end


I’m not so young, I’m not so fast
I am no longer youthful or agile


I tremble with the nervous thought
I am filled with anxiety, fearing being forgotten


Of having been, at last, forgot
The worry of ultimately fading away


Speaking their names, they shake the flag
By acknowledging them, their presence becomes more prominent


Waking the earth, it lifts and lags
Reviving the land, causing it to rise and fall


We see a thousand rooms to rest
We see countless opportunities to find solace


Helping us taste the bite of death
Allowing us to experience mortality


I know, I know my time is passed
I understand that my era has come to an end


I’m not so young, I’m not so fast
I am no longer youthful or agile


I tremble with the nervous thought
I am filled with anxiety, fearing being forgotten


Of having been, at last, forgot
The worry of ultimately fading away


Speaking their names, they shake the flag
By acknowledging them, their presence becomes more prominent


Waking the earth, it lifts and lags
Reviving the land, causing it to rise and fall


We see a thousand rooms to rest
We see countless opportunities to find solace


Helping us taste the bite of death
Allowing us to experience mortality


I know, I know my time is passed
I understand that my era has come to an end


I’m not so young, I’m not so fast
I am no longer youthful or agile


I tremble with the nervous thought
I am filled with anxiety, fearing being forgotten


Of having been, at last, forgot
The worry of ultimately fading away


Speaking their names, they shake the flag
By acknowledging them, their presence becomes more prominent


Waking the earth, it lifts and lags
Reviving the land, causing it to rise and fall


We see a thousand rooms to rest
We see countless opportunities to find solace


Helping us taste the bite of death
Allowing us to experience mortality


I know, I know my time is passed
I understand that my era has come to an end


I’m not so young, I’m not so fast
I am no longer youthful or agile


I tremble with the nervous thought
I am filled with anxiety, fearing being forgotten


Of having been, at last, forgot
The worry of ultimately fading away


Corn and farms and tombs in Lemmon
References to agriculture and burial places in Lemmon, Illinois


(Who will save it?) I know I know the nation's past
Understanding the history of the nation, identifying potential saviors


Sailor Springs and all things feminine
Mentions Sailor Springs and femininity


(Dedicate it?) I know I know they rust at last
Acknowledging the eventual deterioration and fading away of things


Centerville and Old Metropolis
Naming Centerville and Old Metropolis


(Who will praise it?) They tremble with the nervous thought
Expressing anxiety, fearing being forgotten


Shawneetown, you trade and topple us
Shawneetown, a place known for trade and instability


(Commemorate it for you?) Of having been, at last, forgot
Remembering what has been forgotten


IL-L-IN-O-IS! (Who will save it?) I know I know the nation's past
Illinois, the history of the nation, and potential salvation


Hold your tongue and don’t divide us
Keep silent and avoid causing conflicts or divisions


(Dedicate it?) I know I know they rust at last
Recognizing the eventual decay and disappearance


iL-L-IN-O-IS!
Illinois!


(Who will praise it?) They tremble with the nervous thought
Feeling anxious about being forgotten


Land of God, you hold and guide us
Illinois seen as a place of divine influence and guidance


(Commemorate it for you?) Of having been, at last, forgot
To remember what has been forgotten




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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