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 ‘The Decemberists Of Liverpool 1985-87’ on this album to make a distinction from the famous 21st century group of the same name.
The Infanta
The Decemberists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the back of an elephant
On a bed made of linen and sequins and silk
All astride on her father's line
With the king and his concubines
And her nurse with her pitchers of liquors and milk
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Among five score pachyderm
Each canopied and passengered
Sit the duke and the duchess' luscious young girls
Within sight of the baronness
Seething spite for this live largesse
By her side sits the baron her barrenness barbs her
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
A phalanx on camelback
Thirty ranks on a forward tack
Followed close, their shiny bright standards a-waving
While behind in their coach, in fours
Ride the wives of the king of Moors
And the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And as she sits upon her place
Her innocence laid on her face
From all atop the parapets blow a multitude of coronets
Melodies rhapsodical and fair
And all our hearts afire the sky ablaze with cannon fire
We all raise our voices to the air
To the air
And above all this folderol
On a bed made of chaparral
She is laid, a coronal placed on her brow
And the babe, all in slumber dreams
Of a place filled with quiet streams
And the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Oh
Oh
The Decemberists' song The Infanta is a narrative of a grand procession for a young princess, the Infanta, as she rides through the streets on the back of an elephant. The procession is accompanied by a large crowd who all come to praise and admire the princess. In the first verse, the author describes the luxurious palanquin on which the Infanta sits, made of linen, sequins, and silk, and the retinue accompanying her which includes the king, his concubines, and her nurse carrying pitchers of liquor and milk. The second verse highlights the envy of the Baroness who sits next to the Infanta and feels spiteful towards the young girl's wealth and status. The third verse describes the camels and their riders who follow behind the procession - wives of the king of Moors, and the prince's betrothed.
The final verse is the climax of the song where the author describes the grandeur of the event with rhapsodic music from the coronets and cannon fire illuminating the sky. The Infanta sits on a bed of chaparral with a coronal on her brow as the baby dreams of the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water.
The Infanta is a fascinating lyric in that it is a story about a grand procession that has been written in the form of a folk song. The lyrics narrate the event with an ethereal quality, and the lyrics are evocative of a bygone era.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes in her palanquin
The Infanta is arriving in a covered litter carried by her attendants
On the back of an elephant
The palanquin is being carried by an elephant
On a bed made of linen and sequins and silk
The Infanta is being transported on a luxurious bed made of fine fabrics and embellishments
All astride on her father's line
She is sitting with her father, the king, on his throne
With the king and his concubines
The Infanta is accompanied by the king and his female companions
And her nurse with her pitchers of liquors and milk
Her nurse is carrying pitchers of beverages to serve the Infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Everyone is celebrating and admiring the Infanta's arrival
Among five score pachyderm
There are around 100 elephants in the procession
Each canopied and passengered
Each elephant has a canopy and passengers on board
Sit the duke and the duchess' luscious young girls
The duke and duchess' attractive daughters are also riding on the elephants
Within sight of the baronness
The Infanta's presence is causing jealousy and resentment from the baron's wife
Seething spite for this live largesse
The baroness is envious of the grand display of wealth and extravagance
By her side sits the baron her barrenness barbs her
The baroness is sitting next to her husband, the baron, who is taunting her for her infertility
A phalanx on camelback
A group of soldiers on camels are marching in formation
Thirty ranks on a forward tack
There are thirty rows of soldiers marching forward
Followed close, their shiny bright standards a-waving
The soldiers are followed closely by their waving, bright-colored flags
While behind in their coach, in fours
Behind the soldiers, four women (wives of the king) are riding in a coach
Ride the wives of the king of Moors
The women riding in the coach are the wives of the king of Moors
And the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed
Also riding in the coach is the prince's fiancee, who is veiled
And we'll all come praise the infanta
The celebration continues in honor of the Infanta
And as she sits upon her place
As the Infanta sits on her royal throne
Her innocence laid on her face
The Infanta's pure and innocent expression is visible on her face
From all atop the parapets blow a multitude of coronets
From the high walls surrounding the palace, many horns and trumpets are being played
Melodies rhapsodical and fair
The music being played is beautiful and filled with emotion
And all our hearts afire the sky ablaze with cannon fire
Everyone's hearts are full of excitement as the sky is lit up with fireworks
We all raise our voices to the air
The celebration is so joyous, that everyone is singing and shouting in delight
To the air
Everyone's voices are filling the air
And above all this folderol
Despite all the commotion and excitement happening around her
On a bed made of chaparral
The Infanta is resting on a bed made of shrubbery
She is laid, a coronal placed on her brow
A crown has been placed on the Infanta's head as she rests
And the babe, all in slumber dreams
The baby (the Infanta) is sleeping soundly and dreaming
Of a place filled with quiet streams
The baby's dreams are of a peaceful place with gentle flowing water
And the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water
The baby was rescued from a lake and is now living a life of royalty
And we'll all come praise the infanta
The song ends with the continued celebration and admiration of the Infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
The song ends with the continued celebration and admiration of the Infanta
Oh
An exclamation of excitement or delight
Oh
An exclamation of excitement or delight
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COLIN MELOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@plantehgpg4812
Here she comes in her palanquin
On the back of an elephant
On a bed made of linen and sequins and silk
All astride on her father's line
With the king and his concubines
And her nurse with her pitchers of liquors and milk
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Among five score pachyderm
Each canopied and passengered
Sit the duke and the duchess' luscious young girls
Within sight of the baronness
Seething spite for this live largesse
By her side sits the baron her barrenness barbs her
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
A phalanx on camelback
Thirty ranks on a forward tack
Followed close, their shiny bright standards a-waving
While behind in their coach, in fours
Ride the wives of the king of Moors
And the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And as she sits upon her place
Her innocence laid on her face
From all atop the parapets blow a multitude of coronets
Melodies rhapsodical and fair
And all our hearts afire the sky ablaze with cannon fire
We all raise our voices to the air
To the air
And above all this folderol
On a bed made of chaparral
She is laid, a coronal placed on her brow
And the babe, all in slumber dreams
Of a place filled with quiet streams
And the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Oh
Oh
@swaggerbea4164
Here she comes in her palanquin
On the back of an elephant
On a bed made of linen and sequins and silk
All astride on her father's line
With the king and his concubines
And her nurse with her pitchers of liquors and milk
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Among five score pachyderm
Each canopied and passengered
Sit the duke and the duchess' luscious young girls
Within sight of the baronness
Seething spite for this live largesse
By her side sits the baron her barrenness barbs her
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
A phalanx on camelback
Thirty ranks on a forward tack
Followed close, their shiny bright standards a-waving
While behind in their coach, in fours
Ride the wives of the king of Moors
And the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And as she sits upon her place
Her innocence laid on her face
From all atop the parapets blow a multitude of coronets
Melodies rhapsodical and fair
And all our hearts afire the sky ablaze with cannon fire
We all raise our voices to the air
To the air
And above all this folderol
On a bed made of chaparral
She is laid, a coronal placed on her brow
And the babe, all in slumber dreams
Of a place filled with quiet streams
And the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
@jboobbb
When my daughter was a baby, I would play this song and, in a sleep-deprived state of euphoria, dance around her.
@christopherbingham5092
This is a fantastic opening song. The drums throughout the song really keep the energy going.
@bradley2572
I haven't yet listened to the rest of Picaresque, but I'm not sure why people in these comments are not digging this song. I think it's fucking magnificent.
@kasun_phoenix
It is magnificent
@NaboCane
Magnificent is right.
@MrShahid0072
Haven't seen a single negative comment 🙄
@OldieBones
I hope you got around to listening to the rest of Picaresque!
@dobeyhaden1232
its a vocabulary lesson too
@plantehgpg4812
Here she comes in her palanquin
On the back of an elephant
On a bed made of linen and sequins and silk
All astride on her father's line
With the king and his concubines
And her nurse with her pitchers of liquors and milk
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Among five score pachyderm
Each canopied and passengered
Sit the duke and the duchess' luscious young girls
Within sight of the baronness
Seething spite for this live largesse
By her side sits the baron her barrenness barbs her
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
A phalanx on camelback
Thirty ranks on a forward tack
Followed close, their shiny bright standards a-waving
While behind in their coach, in fours
Ride the wives of the king of Moors
And the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And as she sits upon her place
Her innocence laid on her face
From all atop the parapets blow a multitude of coronets
Melodies rhapsodical and fair
And all our hearts afire the sky ablaze with cannon fire
We all raise our voices to the air
To the air
And above all this folderol
On a bed made of chaparral
She is laid, a coronal placed on her brow
And the babe, all in slumber dreams
Of a place filled with quiet streams
And the lake where her cradle was pulled from the water
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
And we'll all come praise the infanta
Oh
Oh
@Fenrisfly
thanks