The Decemberists is a folk rock band which formed in 2000 in Portland, Oreg… Read Full Bio ↴The Decemberists is a folk rock band which formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon, United States. The band currently consists of Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, pedal steel guitar), Jenny Conlee (organ, piano, accordion), Nate Query (electric bass, acoustic bass, cello) and John Moen (drums). Notable former members include Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) and Jesse Emerson (bass).
Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came", uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which hundreds of thousands of people died.
In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered six- and twelve-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.
On 12 December 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, of Death Cab for Cutie fame, in April 2006. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, and their first major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed. The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, with The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on 17 October 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.
In July 2007 the Decemberists set out on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On 7 July, the tour put the group on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, and they were joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On 15 July the group performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then played a free concert in Chicago, Ilinois, at the recently developed Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In September 2007 they also played at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2007, they began The Long and Short of It Tour. However, having completed the European portion of the tour and immediately after playing the Chicago dates, the rest of the tour was canceled due to illness.
On 24 March 2009, the band released The Hazards of Love, their fifth album. The album's first single, "The Rake's Song", was made available for free on the band's website. The album featured guest appearances from My Brightest Diamond, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Robyn Hitchcock and Jim James. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200.
On 11 January 2011, the band released their sixth album The King is Dead. The band released the first single "Down by the Water" for free on their website. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States and is the highest charting album in the band's career. The second single, "This Is Why We Fight" was released on January 25, 2011.
There is another band with the same name:
(2). The Decemberists formed in Liverpool in 1984 when Andy Ford and Tom Gent from Swim Naked hooked up with Colin Pennington, who had just left The Tunnel Users. They played their first show at The Cavern in 1985 and then played extensively in their home city. After recording demo tapes which attracted attention from BBC Radio 1's John Peel and Rough Trade Records, they secured a residency at University Of London Union (ULU). Their first release was James Is (Still The Same) on the Discreet Campaigns compilation cassette tape alongside New Order and Cocteau Twins. After the appearance of Gift Horse on the Ways To Wear Coats compilation LP in 1987, the band changed their name to Hellfire Sermons.
James Is (Still The Same) was included on The Sound Of Leamington Spa Volume 6 in 2009. They are listed as βThe Decemberists Of Liverpool 1985-87β on this album to make a distinction from the famous 21st century group of the same name.
Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came", uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which hundreds of thousands of people died.
In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered six- and twelve-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.
On 12 December 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, of Death Cab for Cutie fame, in April 2006. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, and their first major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed. The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, with The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on 17 October 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.
In July 2007 the Decemberists set out on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On 7 July, the tour put the group on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, and they were joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On 15 July the group performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then played a free concert in Chicago, Ilinois, at the recently developed Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In September 2007 they also played at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2007, they began The Long and Short of It Tour. However, having completed the European portion of the tour and immediately after playing the Chicago dates, the rest of the tour was canceled due to illness.
On 24 March 2009, the band released The Hazards of Love, their fifth album. The album's first single, "The Rake's Song", was made available for free on the band's website. The album featured guest appearances from My Brightest Diamond, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Robyn Hitchcock and Jim James. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200.
On 11 January 2011, the band released their sixth album The King is Dead. The band released the first single "Down by the Water" for free on their website. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States and is the highest charting album in the band's career. The second single, "This Is Why We Fight" was released on January 25, 2011.
There is another band with the same name:
(2). The Decemberists formed in Liverpool in 1984 when Andy Ford and Tom Gent from Swim Naked hooked up with Colin Pennington, who had just left The Tunnel Users. They played their first show at The Cavern in 1985 and then played extensively in their home city. After recording demo tapes which attracted attention from BBC Radio 1's John Peel and Rough Trade Records, they secured a residency at University Of London Union (ULU). Their first release was James Is (Still The Same) on the Discreet Campaigns compilation cassette tape alongside New Order and Cocteau Twins. After the appearance of Gift Horse on the Ways To Wear Coats compilation LP in 1987, the band changed their name to Hellfire Sermons.
James Is (Still The Same) was included on The Sound Of Leamington Spa Volume 6 in 2009. They are listed as βThe Decemberists Of Liverpool 1985-87β on this album to make a distinction from the famous 21st century group of the same name.
[encore break]
The Decemberists Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Decemberists:
10. California One Youth and Beauty Brigade Take a long drive with me On california one, california one …
10. I Was Meant For The Stage I was meant for the stage, I was meant for…
12 What a gift, what a gift you can give me Here…
16 Military Wives Sixteen military wives Thirty-two softly focused brightly co…
9 On The Bus Mall In matching blue raincoats, Our shoes were our show boats …
A Beginning Song Let's commence to coordinate our sights Get them square to r…
A Bower Scene Thou inconsolable daughter Said the sister When wilt thou tr…
A Cautionary Song There's a place your mother goes When everybody else is soun…
A Soldiering Life Ambling madly all over the town The call to arms, you're…
All Arise Baby wants a new spin Baby wants a broken heart Hear you…
Angel There are angels in your angles There's a low moon caught…
Angel Won't You Call Me Angel, won't you call me? Could I be the only though I…
Angel Won't You Call Me? Angel, won't you call me? Could I be the only though I…
Annan Water You loom so deep and wide I would cross over If you…
Anti-Summersong Here now, long gone Three freaks and a bed are gone Went…
Apology Song I'm really sorry, Steven, but your bicycle's been stolen. I…
Artist My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist In pre-war Paris Sm…
As I Rise I have come a few miles I've got blisters on my…
Bachelor and the Bride There's a wrinkle in the water Where we laid our first…
Bagman On the lam from the law On the steps of the…
Bandit Queen As the sun is sinking low and the evening's tucked in…
Begin the Begin Birdie in the hand for life's rich demand The insurgency beg…
Ben Franklin's Song Electricity Yeah, you can all thank me Took some lightning, …
Better Not Wake the Baby Giggle hole in the hallway wall Singin' like a painted lady …
Billy Liar Billy Liar's got his hands in his pockets Staring over at…
Bridges & Balloons We sailed away on a winter's day With fate as malleable…
Burial Ground Oh, let's come down Meet at the burial ground They've undid …
Burying Davy Bring out your weeping weeds Put on your ten-pint bowlers …
Calamity Song Had a dream You and me and the war at the…
California 1 Youth and Beauty Brigade Take a long drive with me On california one, california one…
California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade Take a long drive with me On california one, california one …
California One Youth And Beaut Take a long drive with me On california one, california one…
California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade Take a long drive with me On california one, california one …
Carolina Low I am a boy from the high country And I got…
Cautionary Song There's a place your mother goes When everybody else is sou…
Cavalry Captain I am the cavalry captain I am the remedy to your…
Clementine You slept in your overalls After the wrecking ball Bereft yo…
Cocoon This cocoon, caught in Vesuvius' shadow Only the ashes remai…
Constantinople O, the minarets of Constantinople Are plated gold, ivory an…
Crazy on You We may still have time we might still get by Every…
Culling Of The Fold Cut him up boy You've got to cut him up boy He's…
Cutting Stone Dreamed I had a cutting stone Dreamed I held it all…
Days Of Elaine Those were the days of Elaine That was the phrase that…
Dear Avery Dear Avery, I think of you only Were you waving, were…
Decemberists Ambling madly all over the town The call to arms, you're…
Don Here we come to a turning of the season Witness to…
Don't Mind Truly, with his thorn in your side And you don't know…
Down by the Water See this ancient riverbed See where all the follies are led …
Down On the Knuckle Avery said he's got a cold comin' on Climbed into bed,…
E. Watson The year old painted pallid gray, the storm was coming…
Easy Come Limber Jack, he landed on his back Was bedding on the…
Eli Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigolds…
Eli The Barrow Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigol…
Eli the Barrow Boy Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigolds…
Eli The Barrowboy Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigol…
Eli, the Barrow Boy Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigolds…
Elli The Barrow Boy Eli, the barrow boy Of the old town Sells coal and marigol…
Engine Driver I'm an engine driver On a long run, on a long…
Everything I Try to Do Nothing Seems to Turn Out Right The film was a bust, but we stayed to the…
Everything Is Awful Everything, everything, everything, everything, everything, …
Fits & Starts All rise for the commandant as he addresses from the…
Foregone Dear arise and say it's a honey All this light that…
From My Own True Love Four score years Living down in this rain swept town Sea sal…
From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea) Four score years, living down in this rainswept town Sea sal…
Grace Cathedral Hill Grace cathedral hill All wrapped in bones of setting sun All…
Grace Catherdral Hill Grace cathedral hill All wrapped in bones of setting sun A…
Gymnast High Above The Ground The gymnast, high above the ground, Limbers up and falls ti…
Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect And here I dreamt I was a soldier And I marched…
Human Behavior If you ever get close to a human And human behaviour Be…
I 4 U & U 4 Me You're all made of tattered heel And you're the only constan…
I Don Truly, with his thorn in your side And you don't know…
I Don't Mind Truly, with his thorn in your side And you don't know…
I Was Meant for I was meant for the stage, I was meant for…
I Will Not Say Your Name I will not say your name Go back from where you…
I'll Be Your Girl When the summer days live to bore you And the river…
I'm Sticking With You Iβm sticking with you Cause Iβm made out of glue And anyth…
I4U & U4ME Youβ²re all made of tattered heel And you're the only constan…
III And under the boughs unbowed All clothed in a snowy shroud S…
Infanta Here she comes in her palanquin On the back of an…
Isn't It A Lovely Night? Isn't a lovely night And so alive With fireflies Providin…
January Hymn On a winter's Sunday I go To clear away the snow And…
Jesus Christ Angels from the realms of glory Stars shone bright above Roy…
July There is a road that meets the road That goes…
July July There is a road that meets the road That goes…
July July! There is a road that meets the road That goes…
June Hymn Here's a hymn to welcome in the day Heralding a summer's…
Kingdom Of Spain In the Kingdom of Spain There are such colours They…
Lake Song Down by the lake we were overturning pebbles And depending …
Legionnaire's I'm a legionnaire Camel in disrepair Hoping for a frigid…
Legionnaire's Lament I'm a legionnaire Camel in disrepair Hoping for a frigid…
Legionnaires I'm a legionnaire Camel in disrepair Hoping for a frigid…
Leslie Ann Levine My name is Leslie Anne Levine My mother birthed me down…
Like A Lion How it delighted Born so black and cold And admired…
Little Boxes Little boxes, on the hillside Little boxes made of ticky-ta…
Los Angeles There is a city by the sea A gentle company I don't…
Los AngelesI'm Yours There is a city by the sea A gentle company I don't…
Lost at Sea Four score years Living down in this rain swept town Sea sal…
Make You Better I want you, thin fingers I wanted you, thin fingernails And …
Margaret in Captivity I have snipped your wingspan, My precious captive swan. He…
Mariner's Revenge Song We are two mariners Our ship's sole survivors In this bell…
Midlist Author Fell upon a Tuesday when I had just got down…
Mistral So we already wrecked through the reservoir And I've already…
My Mother Was a Chinese Trapez My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist In pre-war Paris Sm…
My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist My mother was a Chinese trapeze artist In pre-war Paris Smug…
O New England Weβd come seven hours down Took the blue line to see…
O Valencia You belong to the gang And you say you can't break…
Oceanside But oh, if I could only get you oceanside, to…
Odalisque They've come to find you odalisque As the light dies horrib…
Of Angels and Angles There are angels in your angles There's a low moon caught…
On the Bus Mall In matching blue raincoats Our shoes were our show boats We …
Once in My Life Oh, for once in my Oh, for once in my life Could…
One Engine One engine barely makes it away One engine barely makes it…
Part I [PART I] [crone:] here upon this pillow Made of reed and wi…
Part IV [PART I] [crone:] here upon this pillow Made of reed and…
Part V [PART I] [crone:] here upon this pillow Made of reed and wi…
Philomena Oh, Philomena, are you in a tawdry gown Lean to your…
Please Daddy Please Daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas I don't wanna …
Raincoat Song Caroline youβre angry βCause you sleep like a spinster An…
Record Year I read in the paper today It's been a record year…
Red Right Ankle This is the story of your red right ankle And how…
Rise To Me Big mountain, wide river, There's an ancient call, These tre…
Riverswim River run And brother row And the ease between us, The calm …
Row Jimmy Julie catch a rabbit by his tail Come back step, like…
Rox In The Box If the rocks in the box Get the water right down…
Rusalka Rusalka / The Wild Rushes Rusalka, Rusalka your arms out of water Your hair like an…
Severed I alight like a whisper I alight with the lights out And…
Shankhill Butchers Two, three, four The Shankill butchers ride tonight You'…
Shankill Butchers Two, three, four The Shankill butchers ride tonight You bet…
Shanty for Arethusa We set to sail on a packet full of spice,…
Shiny By the bumper cars, in the pretty twining light, I…
Sixteen Military Wives Sixteen military wives Thirty-two softly focused brightly c…
Sleepless As you lie before me now, like a shadow On a…
Soldiering Life Ambling madly all over the town The call to arms, you're…
Song for Myla Go Myla Goldberg sets a steady hand upon her brow Myla Goldber…
Song for Myra Goldberg Myla Goldberg sets a steady hand upon her brow Myla Goldberg…
Sonnet Guido, I wish that you and Lapo and I Could be…
Sons When we arrive Sons and daughters We'll make our homes on …
Sons & Daughters When we arrive, sons and daughters We'll make our homes on…
Starwatcher Starwatcher Starwatcher in the night Starwatcher Starwatcher…
Stateside You called, I was drowning weary after the bar And the…
Sucker's Prayer I was not ready for the road I was so discontent…
Summersong Here now, long gone Three freaks and a bed are gone Went…
Sunshine On the lawn before the bouquet fell Long before we heard…
The Abduction of Margaret And all the while whispering arbors Provide cover What prev…
The Apology Song I'm really sorry, Steven, but your bicycle's been stolen. I…
The Bachelor and There's a wrinkle in the water Where we laid our first…
The Bagman's Gambit On the lam from the law On the steps of the…
The Bandit Queen As the sun is sinking low and the evening's tucked in…
The Chimbley Sweep I am a chimbley, a chimbley sweep No bed to lie,…
The Crane Wife 1 And under the boughs unbowed All clothed in a snowy shroud S…
The Crane Wife 1 & 2 PART ONE It was a cold night and the snow lay…
The Crane Wife 1 & 2 / The Crane Wife 3 It was a cold night And the snow lay 'round I pulled…
The Crane Wife 1 & 2 PART ONE It was a cold night and the snow lay…
The Crane Wife 3 And under the boughs unbowed All clothed in a snowy shroud S…
The Crossing The Queen I'm made of bones of the branches the boughs…
The Engine Driver I'm an engine driver On a long run, on a long…
and many more tracks by The Decemberists.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Aegis Electric
Since I'm getting sick of not having the lyrics, here it is for me.
And if who turned me on to this song ever sees this: thanks, I'm not into the band very much but they have a few that live rent free in my head, and the show was worth it, I hope you're doing well and that your songs are less relatable.
---
C&P from google:
-
Come the war
Come the avarice
Come the war
Come hell
Come attrition
Come the reek of bones
Come attrition
Come hell
This is why
Why we fight
Why we lie awake
And this is why
This is why we fight
When we die
We will die
With our arms unbound
And this is why
This is why
Why we fight
Come hell
Bride of quiet
Bride of all unquiet things
Bride of quiet
Bride of hell
Come the archers
Come the infantry
Come the archers
Of hell
This is why
Why we fight
Why we lie awake
This is why
This is why we fight
And when we die
We will die
With our arms unbound
And this is why
This is why we fight
Come hell
Come hell
This is why
Why we fight
Why we lie awake
This is why
This is why we fight
When we die
We will die with our arms unbound
And this is why
This is why we fight
So come to me
Come to me now
Lay your arms around me
And this is why
This is why
We fight
Come hell
Come hell
Come hell
Come hell
Rhys Ashwell
This song is incredible. It is an anthem for anyone who has ever been in the position where everything is against them, but they still came out laughing. The most important of life's battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul.
Mourning Nihilist
Well put my friend
GURILLA RON
Very under rated trackβ¦.this shit hits another level. For sure remaining a classic on my list!
Jane Doe
Heard this on the radio today. I'm stunned on how beautiful and haunting it is love it!
Michelle Hart
I know this comment is oldβ¦but this is why you have to do your own research to find truly amazing music and not get indoctrinated with the music on the radioβ¦
silentflute3
This is epic. It's beautiful, imaginative, deep, thought provoking, and a dark look at war in all forms. This would make a great film or novel. I'm probably gonna write a short story based on this album.
Jeremy Woods
hey, just checking in. did you write the short story?
MFaraji
"And when we die we will die with our arms unbound..." Beautiful.
Sky Dog
I've just decided this is my new favorite band. This is really, really good!
Adam Smith
Good choice. The Avett Brothers are the only other one going that's as good, IMO. Both are probably much closer to the end than beginning in terms of creative output. Both have amazing discographies.