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.
Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone will need to mop this floor for me
When I emerge, I find my car
Like a cathedral in a dream of the future
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight
Flip on the high stakes radio
Try to sing the words right
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
I had his arms tied up behind him
We were together all day
Maybe make Culiacán by sunset
Try to, anyway
High as the clouds now
Flying
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
The lyrics of “Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace” by The Mountain Goats are open to interpretation, as many of John Darnielle’s songs are. However, the overall theme seems to be one of escape and redemption. The opening lines “The clouds explode and then the desert blooms / Someone will need to mop this floor for me” set the scene for a transformation of some sort. There is a sense of destruction and renewal happening simultaneously. The singer then finds their car, which is described as “like a cathedral in a dream of the future”. This car is a symbol of escape, a way out of the destruction and towards a brighter future.
The rest of the song is about driving away from this destruction, towards a new life. The lines “Drive until the rain stops / Keep driving” suggest that the singer is determined to keep going, no matter what obstacles they face. There is a sense of urgency here, as if the singer needs to keep moving forward to avoid being pulled back into the destruction they are leaving behind. The verse “I had his arms tied up behind him / We were together all day / Maybe make Culiacán by sunset / Try to, anyway” adds a layer of mystery and danger to the song. Who is “he”, and why were his arms tied up? It’s unclear, but it adds to the sense of urgency and escape that permeates the song.
Overall, “Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace” is a song about escape and redemption. The singer is leaving behind a destructive past and heading towards a brighter future, symbolized by their car. The sense of urgency and danger adds tension to the song, making it a compelling listen.
Line by Line Meaning
The clouds explode and then the desert blooms
The sudden outburst of what seems like chaos can lead to beautiful new beginnings.
Someone will need to mop this floor for me
I am feeling overwhelmed and need someone else to take care of one of my responsibilities.
When I emerge, I find my car
After a rough period, I am able to find something familiar and comforting.
Like a cathedral in a dream of the future
My car feels almost like a beacon of hope or promise amidst uncertainty.
Drive until the rain stops
I am seeking some sense of control and progress in a challenging situation, and will keep pushing until there's clarity.
Keep driving
I am determined to keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles come my way.
Pull over and blast off when I get the chance
I need to pause and recharge when I can, but when I have the opportunity to move forward again, I will take it full force.
Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight
The path forward suddenly seems simple and obvious, once I have enough perspective to see it clearly.
Flip on the high stakes radio
I'm looking for a boost of motivation or inspiration to help me keep pushing forward in my journey.
Try to sing the words right
I want to be in perfect harmony with the influences pushing me forward, so that I can find success and accomplish my goals.
I had his arms tied up behind him
In the past, I have exerted control over someone else in a way that I am not necessarily proud of.
We were together all day
Despite the complicated dynamics between us, we spent a lot of time together in the past.
Maybe make Culiacán by sunset
I have a clear plan in mind for how to reach my destination or goal, and I am optimistic about getting there on time.
Try to, anyway
Even though there are challenges or hurdles in my way, I will continue to strive towards my goal as best I can.
High as the clouds now
I feel invigorated and almost in a trance-like state as I push forward towards my goal.
Flying
I feel empowered and free as I make progress towards my ultimate destination or objective.
Contributed by Jayden C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jordan Tropila
The clouds explode and then the desert blooms
Someone will need to mop this floor for me
When I emerge, I find my car
Like a cathedral in a dream of the future
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Pull over and blast off when I get the chance
Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight
Flip on the high stakes radio
Try to sing the words right
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
I had his arms tied up behind him
We were together all day
Maybe make Culiacán by sunset
Try to, anyway
High as the clouds now
Flying
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Justin
John Darnielle has the best lyrics out there, the man is an absolute literary genius. Very few musicians out there have such power with their lyrics alone.
Christian Hirschmann
@noongrave He has books :o Thx for telling
noongrave
his books are pretty good
ForSkatan
When this man passes on, I hope that all of you keep his name alive. He is a genius with a small crowd. He is a legend, amazing, talented, witty, and incredible. He should have the credit he deserves. Remember John Darnielle as long as your alive. Show him to your kids, and tell your children to do the same. Thank you for all of your gifts to my life. You have saved me in many bad situations, and fore I do not know you personally i know your music. Thank you.
How To Meet Women
Honestly? This isn't overstated. Thank you for saying it. ..9 years ago.
Jordan Tropila
The clouds explode and then the desert blooms
Someone will need to mop this floor for me
When I emerge, I find my car
Like a cathedral in a dream of the future
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Pull over and blast off when I get the chance
Clear as an insect's wings in the sunlight
Flip on the high stakes radio
Try to sing the words right
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
I had his arms tied up behind him
We were together all day
Maybe make Culiacán by sunset
Try to, anyway
High as the clouds now
Flying
Drive until the rain stops
Keep driving
Lucy Smithers
the thing about John Darnielle's voice is that its interesting. Lets put it this way; in the end, when you're reading a piece of poetry, you don't care that the poet didn't capitalize anything. When you're reading "The Road", you don't care about the author's grammar. You can hear the emotion of this song shining through in his singing and chord choice. But, of course it doesn't really matter to me what other people have to say, as long as I can continue to listen to it.
nictro
Lucy Smithers well said
Baldanders
This song is amazingly touching and moving for a song about a man torturing another man to death in a house in Mexico.
Samuel Gebrehiwet
Austin Rogers That’s what the song is about