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.
Prowl Great Cain
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder if you'll ever get the chance to ask me why I turned you in
I saved my own skin but I live to fight, I live to fight another day
Still remember how brave you were when they came to take you away
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
It's hard to tell gifts of the spirit from clever counterfeits.
Sleepwalk through my days and mark the hours until these dark times fade
Like a caterpillar crawling out along the surface of the blade
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Rummage through the gutted storehouse now
And lick the sweat from my brow
Saw the trucks roll out this morning, not sure when they're coming back again
Feel the prickings of my conscience in my chest ever now and then
Sometimes a great wave of forgetfulness rises up and blesses me
And other times the sickness howls and I despair of any remedy
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats’ “Prowl Great Cain” resonate with themes of guilt, shame, and survival. The song starts with an ambiguous reference to collecting jewels from graveyards only to bury them again once arrived home. Then it goes on to talk about how the singer turned someone in to save their own skin. The lyrics indicate that this act causes the singer to feel guilty, but they cannot bring themselves to feel ashamed. This seeming contradiction is one of the central themes of the song.
The lyrics then transition to talk about seeing ghosts and sleepwalking through life. The singer marks the hours until the current “dark times” fade, signifying a sense of hope and optimism for the future. There is a sense of spiritual searching in the lyrics - the singer wonders whether the “gifts of the spirit” they see are real, or merely “clever counterfeits”. “Prowl Great Cain” ends on a slightly ominous note with the singer acknowledging the prickings of their conscience and wonders when the trucks will come back again.
Overall, the song offers us a unique perspective on guilt, shame, and survival. The singer acknowledges that they did something regrettable to protect themselves, but there is a sense that they still retain their sense of self. Though they wrestle with their conscience and feel guilty, they cannot bring themselves to feel ashamed.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather jewels from graveyards, when I get home bury them again
I collect valuables from dead people's graves and then rebury them in my own backyard.
Wonder if you'll ever get the chance to ask me why I turned you in
I betrayed someone and am unsure if they will ever confront me about it.
I saved my own skin but I live to fight, I live to fight another day
I prioritized my own safety but am still determined to continue on and keep fighting.
Still remember how brave you were when they came to take you away
I recall how courageous someone was when they were being apprehended by authorities.
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
I have remorse for my actions but I am not necessarily regretful.
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
I wander through desolate areas, like the biblical figure Cain.
Thought I'd seen the ghost up on the boulevard, between the broken bits
I believed I saw a spirit on the street, in the midst of chaos.
It's hard to tell gifts of the spirit from clever counterfeits.
Distinguishing actual spiritual gifts from fraudulent ones is difficult.
Sleepwalk through my days and mark the hours until these dark times fade
I exist in a state of lethargy and pray for the end of trying times.
Like a caterpillar crawling out along the surface of the blade
I navigate dangerous situations with extreme caution, like a bug carefully walking on a sharp edge.
Rummage through the gutted storehouse now
I sift through a plundered and emptied location.
And lick the sweat from my brow
I desperately try to take care of myself amidst physical exertion and adversity.
Saw the trucks roll out this morning, not sure when they're coming back again
I watched vehicles depart earlier and am uncertain of their return.
Feel the prickings of my conscience in my chest ever now and then
At times, I experience guilt and shame for my actions.
Sometimes a great wave of forgetfulness rises up and blesses me
Occasionally, my brain dulls my memories and grants me relief.
And other times the sickness howls and I despair of any remedy
Conversely, at times, my mental anguish consumes me and I am without any possible cure or relief.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cam
Gather jewels from graveyards, when I get home bury them again
Wonder if you'll ever get the chance to ask me why I turned you in
I saved my own skin but I live to fight, I live to fight another day
Still remember how brave you were when they came to take you away
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Thought I'd seen the ghost up on the boulevard, between the broken bits
It's hard to tell gifts of the spirit from clever counterfeits.
Sleepwalk through my days and mark the hours until these dark times fade
Like a caterpillar crawling out along the surface of the blade
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Rummage through the gutted storehouse now
And lick the sweat from my brow
Saw the trucks roll out this morning, not sure when they're coming back again
Feel the prickings of my conscience in my chest ever now and then
Sometimes a great wave of forgetfulness rises up and blesses me
And other times the sickness howls and I despair of any remedy
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Cam
Gather jewels from graveyards, when I get home bury them again
Wonder if you'll ever get the chance to ask me why I turned you in
I saved my own skin but I live to fight, I live to fight another day
Still remember how brave you were when they came to take you away
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Thought I'd seen the ghost up on the boulevard, between the broken bits
It's hard to tell gifts of the spirit from clever counterfeits.
Sleepwalk through my days and mark the hours until these dark times fade
Like a caterpillar crawling out along the surface of the blade
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
Rummage through the gutted storehouse now
And lick the sweat from my brow
Saw the trucks roll out this morning, not sure when they're coming back again
Feel the prickings of my conscience in my chest ever now and then
Sometimes a great wave of forgetfulness rises up and blesses me
And other times the sickness howls and I despair of any remedy
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
Prowl through empty fields, great Cain
oneida
Sometimes a great wave of forgetfulness rises up and blesses me.
And other times, the sickness howls and I despair of any remedy.
david
I first heard this song on NPR. fantastic song. the discussion you had with the host on your song writing methods inspired me to keep at it and try from another angle.
Brandon Rebidue
This song is like the perfect intro for a fantasy novel.
Proud Heretic
It's hard to tell gifts of the spirit from clever counterfeits
Jake Sibley
L. Ron Hoyabembe 2 and growing, thanms for asking
kalakakku
Wonderful song
PatBProductions
awesome, thanks!
tetsjin42
And I feel guilty but I can't feel ashamed
343asi
great song