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.
Elijah
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smear the walls with coconut oil, yeah
Fill the cast-iron kettle
With water and magnolia blossom
Let it boil
Let the water roll
Let the fire takes its toll
Dust off the idols
Give them something to eat
I think they're hungry
I know I'm starving half to death
I know you're waiting
I know you've been waiting for a long, long time
And I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Set the table
Those three extra places
One for me, one for your doubts
And one for God
Let the incense burn in every room
Feel the fullness of time in the empty tomb
Feel the future kicking in your womb
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats' song "Elijah" depict a unique domestic scene that is imbued with spiritual significance. The singer is preparing to return to his home after an extended absence. He instructs someone (perhaps his partner) to prepare the space for his return: "Streak the windows, smear the walls with coconut oil... Fill the cast-iron kettle with water and magnolia blossom." He seems to be describing a process of purification, preparation, and purification for his arrival. He wants everything to be perfect upon his return.
In the second verse, the singer's religious and mystical inclinations become even more apparent. He mentions "dusting off the idols" and feeding them, suggesting a sort of personal devotion or ritual. He acknowledges that he has been away for a while and seems to understand that his return may bring about doubt and skepticism in his partner, hence the "extra place for your doubts", but he still anticipates a spiritual connection between himself, his loved one, and God at the table where they will dine together. The incense burning in every room and the "future kicking in your womb" suggest a sense of rebirth and renewal, and the singer's return to the home represents the beginning of a new and spiritually rich phase in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Streak the windows
Clean the windows with a cloth or streaks to make them sparkling clean and clear.
Smear the walls with coconut oil, yeah
Apply a thin layer of coconut oil on the walls to bring out the shine and make them glisten.
Fill the cast-iron kettle
Put water in the cast-iron kettle to heat it up.
With water and magnolia blossom
Add magnolia blossom to the water in the kettle to infuse the sweet fragrance in it.
Let it boil
Wait for the water to boil by keeping the kettle on the stove.
Let the water roll
Let the water continue to boil and roll in the kettle.
Let the fire takes its toll
Allow the fire to continue burning until the water is boiled and ready.
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
The artist is returning home after a long period of absence or distance.
Dust off the idols
Clean the idols or statues of the gods by removing the dust and debris settled on them.
Give them something to eat
Offer food or offerings to the idols to appease them and show devotion.
I think they're hungry
The singer believes that the gods are hungry and need to be fed with devotion and offerings.
I know I'm starving half to death
The artist is extremely hungry and famished, and in dire need of food and sustenance.
I know you're waiting
The singer is aware that someone is eagerly waiting for him/her to return home.
I know you've been waiting for a long, long time
The singer is aware that the listener has been waiting for a very long time, indicating a strong desire or longing to see the singer.
Set the table
Prepare the dining table by arranging the plates, cutlery, and glasses in their respective positions.
Those three extra places
Set three additional places at the table; one for the artist, one for the listener's doubts or skepticism, and one for God.
Let the incense burn in every room
Light incense sticks in each room to create a fragrant and relaxing ambiance.
Feel the fullness of time in the empty tomb
Sense the passage of time and the emptiness in life, as if in an empty tomb, with a deeper appreciation for the present moment and the joy of coming home.
Feel the future kicking in your womb
Sense the excitement and anticipation of the future, as if in the womb, with a feeling of hope and positivity for what is to come.
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
The artist reiterates that he/she is returning home, conveying a sense of relief and comfort.
Contributed by Aubrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.