The "Shankill Butchers" were a group of UVF members involved in a large number of loyalist terrorist activities in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the 1970s. The Butchers' chief notoriety came from late-night abduction, torture and cut-throat murders of random members of the Roman Catholic community, although they killed upwards of 30 people, including a significant number of Protestants, in sectarian attacks, paramilitary feuds, personal grudges and bombing raids.
Shankill Butchers
The Decemberists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Shankill butchers ride tonight
You better shut your windows tight
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives
And taking all their whiskey by the pint
'Cause everybody knows
A wicked wind will blow
Your ribbons from your curls
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you awake
They used to be just like me and you
They used to be sweet little boys
But something went horribly askew
Now killing is their only source of joy
'Cause everybody knows
If you don't mind your mother's words
A wicked wind will blow
Your ribbons from your curls
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you awake
The Shankill butchers on the rise
They're waiting until the dead of nights
They're picking at their fingers with their knives
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs
'Cause everybody knows
If you don't mind your mother's words
A wicked wind will blow
Your ribbons from your curls
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you
The Shankill butchers wanna cut you
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you, awake
Awake
Awake
Awake
The Decemberists's song "Shankill Butchers" is a haunting ode to the infamous group of serial killers who terrorized Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the 1970s. The song describes the Shankill Butchers' malicious activities, as they ride through the city at night, sharpening their weapons and drinking whiskey. The song warns listeners to keep their windows shut tight and to watch out for the wicked wind that blows the ribbons from their curls.
The lyrics suggest that the Shankill Butchers were once innocent children, just like everyone else, but something went "horribly askew," and now murder is their only source of joy. The repetition of the line "If you don't mind your mother's words, a wicked wind will blow your ribbons from your curls" provides a sense of foreboding and serves as a warning to those who may fall victim to the Butchers. The song ends with a haunting repetition of the line "The Shankill butchers wanna catch you awake," emphasizing the sense of fear and danger lurking in the city.
This song shows The Decemberists' talent for weaving together storytelling, history, and emotion into a powerful folk-rock ballad. The singer's warnings and the sense of danger layered into each verse make for a chilling listening experience. The song also sheds light on a dark chapter of Northern Irish history and showcases the power of music to both entertain and educate.
Line by Line Meaning
Two, three, four
Counting down to the beginning of a story
The Shankill butchers ride tonight
A notorious gang is out to commit violence
You better shut your windows tight
Protect yourself from the danger outside
They're sharpening their cleavers and their knives
Preparing their weapons for the upcoming attack
And taking all their whiskey by the pint
Drinking to fuel their violent tendencies
'Cause everybody knows
The danger is well-established and widely acknowledged
If you don't mind your mother's words
Ignoring the wisdom of those who care for you
A wicked wind will blow
Bringing misfortune upon those who ignore warnings
Your ribbons from your curls
Even something as insignificant as a ribbon will be taken away
Everybody moan, everybody shake
The fear is pervasive and overwhelming
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you awake
The gang wants to catch their victims alert and vulnerable
They used to be just like me and you
The gang members were once ordinary people
They used to be sweet little boys
They had innocent childhoods
But something went horribly askew
Something happened to turn them into violent criminals
Now killing is their only source of joy
They derive pleasure from taking the lives of others
The Shankill butchers on the rise
The gang is becoming more active and dangerous
They're waiting until the dead of nights
Using darkness as cover for their crimes
They're picking at their fingers with their knives
Displaying a disturbing level of comfort with weapons
And wiping off their cleavers on their thighs
Cleaning their weapons in preparation for their next attack
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you
The gang is actively seeking out victims
The Shankill butchers wanna cut you
The gang intends to do serious harm to those they catch
The Shankill butchers wanna catch you, awake
The gang is specifically targeting those who are not asleep
Awake
Reinforcing the point that the danger is real and imminent
Awake
Emphasizing the need for vigilance
Awake
Closing the song with a final warning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Colin Meloy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind