Each member is originally from Anchorage, Alaska and migrated separately to Portland, Oregon to start a career in music.[7][8]
Initially they called themselves "The Funeral Band", performing in the streets and outside of music venues. The name eventually changed to The Builders and The Butchers, "for no other reason than it was the only name all five members liked."[8] The first year of acoustic performances were mostly street shows until opening for the experimental band Man Man in 2006.[8] “We very slowly started plugging [our instruments] in.” Sollee says,[8] but the group had to figure out how to utilize its two percussionists on stage. They found that by splitting one drum kit between Seely and Rude, with one handling the kick drum and another playing the snare, they developed what the group calls a “deconstructed” drumming style.[8]
The band's song-writing process involves Sollee writing the lyrics out and presenting it to the other members, who then start playing and putting the music around these lyrics.[6]
In May 2008 the band won the Willamette Week’s “Best New Band of 2008”[9] and Seattle Sound’s “Best Live Performers 2008”.
In late 2010, The Builders and the Butchers signed with Badman Recording Co. and released their third album, Dead Reckoning on February 22, 2011.[10][11]
Short Way Home
The Builders and the Butchers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the judge comes down with the gavel
And the rain it looked like the blood on the ground
It shook the grass and the leaves and the gravel
You try (you try)
You try (you try)
You try to find the short way home
To try to find the way back home
Familiar signs, the rails alight
They disappeared one by one
And your fate's been sealed by the turning of the wheel
And the setting of the evening sun
So you crawl on by the light of the moon
Cross the reeds and over the hours
And you pray that you make it to the breakin' of the day
You're tryin' to find a way back home
You try (you try)
You try (you try)
You're tryin' find the short way home
Over roots, bloody knees and the bent over trees
You're tryin' to find the way back home
Mother why'd you have to go and clip my golden wings?
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
You put me down in the darkest well
And still that water stings
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
Mother why'd you have to go and clip my golden wings?
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
You put me down in the darkest well
And still that water stings
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
Mother why'd you have to go and clip my dirty wings?
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
You put me down in the deepest well
And still that water stings
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
It's a long time ago on my grave
As the judge comes down with the gavel
And the rain it looked like the blood on the ground
It shook the grass and the leaves and the gravel
And You try (you try)
You try (you try)
You try to find the short way home
Over roots, bloody knees and the bent over trees
You're tryin' to find the way back home
You're tryin' to find the way back home
You'd die to find the short way home
The song Short Way Home by The Builders and the Butchers tells the story of someone trying to find their way back home. The first verse has a sense of foreboding, as the rain looks like blood and the judge passes a sentence. The chorus repeats the phrase "you try" emphasizing the effort it takes to find the way back home. The second verse describes the journey, including crossing over reeds and crawling by the light of the moon. The bridge provides some insight into the singer's mindset, with the repetition of the line "Mother why'd you have to go and clip my golden wings?" suggesting that the singer feels trapped or limited in some way. The final verse repeats the first, emphasizing the weight of the journey.
The song has a sense of urgency and desperation, highlighting the difficulty in finding one's way back home. The imagery of blood and darkness creates a haunting atmosphere. The repetition of "you try" emphasizes the effort needed to overcome obstacles, while the bridge suggests that sometimes it's not just external obstacles but also internal barriers that must be faced.
Overall, Short Way Home is a powerful and evocative song that captures the struggle of finding one's way back to a place of safety and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a long time ago on my grave
The singer is reflecting on a past event, possibly their death and burial.
As the judge comes down with the gavel
The singer is being sentenced or condemned by an authority figure.
And the rain it looked like the blood on the ground
The rain is heavy and red, possibly symbolizing violence or death.
It shook the grass and the leaves and the gravel
The artist's surroundings are affected by the intensity of the rain.
You try (you try)
The artist is encouraging someone to keep going, even when it's difficult.
You try to find the short way home
The singer urges someone to find a quick and direct way back home.
Over roots, bloody knees and the bent over trees
The journey back home is difficult and painful, with obstacles in the way.
To try to find the way back home
The ultimate goal is to find a way to return home.
Familiar signs, the rails alight
The artist sees signs of familiarity, such as lighted rails.
They disappeared one by one
The familiar signs disappear as the artist moves along their journey.
And your fate's been sealed by the turning of the wheel
The singer's fate has been decided by external forces beyond their control.
And the setting of the evening sun
Time is passing and the day is ending.
So you crawl on by the light of the moon
The singer is continuing their journey under the light of the moon.
Cross the reeds and over the hours
The journey is full of obstacles, such as swampy areas and the passage of time.
And you pray that you make it to the breakin' of the day
The singer hopes to make it to their destination by sunrise.
Mother why'd you have to go and clip my golden wings?
The artist is resentful towards their mother for holding them back from their full potential.
I'm gonna fly off this building all the same
The artist is determined to break free from their restrictions, even if it means taking a risk.
You put me down in the darkest well
The singer feels trapped in a dark and oppressive place.
And still that water stings
The singer is still feeling the pain of their situation.
You're tryin' to find the way back home
The journey back home is still the main focus.
You'd die to find the short way home
The goal of returning home is so important that the artist is willing to put their life on the line.
Contributed by Oliver I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.