Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Chinese Rifle Song
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the chinese rifles sounded in the evening air
I heard them popping off everywhere
I lay out on the patio, on the chaise lounge
I lay out on the patio, and i let my hand rest against the hot redwood frame
And the chinese rifles sounded again
Could not stomach their acumen
The opening lyrics of The Mountain Goats' "Chinese Rifle Song" paint a picture of a peaceful evening spent lounging on a patio. However, this tranquility is soon interrupted by the sound of "chinese rifles" popping off in the air. The lyrics describe the feeling of discomfort and fear that comes with being unable to understand the proficiency of the shooter or their intentions.
The imagery and language used in this song suggest a larger metaphor for the unknown and unpredictable forces in our lives. The sound of the rifles becomes a symbol for the sudden and unexpected disruptions we may encounter, and the fear that can accompany these moments when we feel powerless to understand them. The song ultimately speaks to a sense of vulnerability in the face of forces beyond our control, and the need for resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay out on the patio, dreaming (2x)
I relaxed on the patio, letting my mind wander aimlessly
And the chinese rifles sounded in the evening air
I heard gunshots from distant Chinese soldiers ringing out in the evening breeze
I heard them popping off everywhere
The gunshots were so widespread it seemed like they were coming from all directions
I lay out on the patio, on the chaise lounge
I took comfort on the reclining chair on the patio
I lay out on the patio, and i let my hand rest against the hot redwood frame
I placed my hand on the hot wooden frame, feeling its texture and warmth
And the chinese rifles sounded again
The gunshots resumed once more, interrupting my peace once again
Could not stomach their acumen
I couldn't bear the precision and skill of the Chinese soldiers' marksmanship
Contributed by Jason K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.