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.
Treetop Song
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the palm trees were calling out to me
the line of them stretched fown the highway forever
as far as I could see
I waited til the sun was coming up
light morning traffic and a cool spring breeze
I heard the old voices calling down
from the tops of the trees
when I got up to the top, my head got light
for a minute everything in the world was alright
I saw the next tree just 10 feet away
give or take a few feet I guess
then I pushed off into the air with all my might
headed out into the center of the morning light
I knew that I was gonna make it
the new tree hardly shook to acknowledge my arrival
I knew that I would be alright
The Mountain Goats' Treetop Song is a song about escape and freedom, with the singer seeking solace and respite from the mundanity of everyday life. The song is set on an interstate highway, with the palm trees calling out to the singer like a siren song, beckoning him to leave behind his troubles and ascend to the treetops. There, he finds a sense of peace and tranquillity, with the old voices calling out to him from the tops of the trees.
In the second verse, we see the singer making the climb, his head getting light as he reaches the apex. Here, he finds a moment of clarity and calm in the midst of the chaos of the world below. From this point, he takes a leap of faith, pushing off into the air and heading out into the center of the morning light, certain that he will make a safe landing on the next tree.
The Treetop Song is a powerful commentary on the need for escape and the desire for freedom, as well as a powerful message of hope and optimism. It is a reminder that in the midst of the chaos of the world around us, we can find peace and serenity if we are willing to take a leap of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
All along the interstate
During my journey on the main road
the palm trees were calling out to me
The palm trees attracted my attention
the line of them stretched fown the highway forever
They were lined up continuously alongside the road
as far as I could see
Extensively as my sight could reach
I waited til the sun was coming up
I paused until the sun rose up
light morning traffic and a cool spring breeze
There was a sparse traffic and a refreshing spring breeze
I heard the old voices calling down
I perceived the elderly voices calling from the top
from the tops of the trees
The voices emerged from the highest points of the trees
when I got up to the top, my head got light
As I ascended, my head became weightless
for a minute everything in the world was alright
For a brief moment, everything in the world was good
I saw the next tree just 10 feet away
I spotted another tree approximately 10 feet from me
give or take a few feet I guess
Approximately, not precisely
then I pushed off into the air with all my might
I propelled into the air with my full strength
headed out into the center of the morning light
I flew into the middle of the daylight
I knew that I was gonna make it
I was confident that I could accomplish it
the new tree hardly shook to acknowledge my arrival
The new tree barely quivered to recognize my coming
I knew that I would be alright
I was certain that I would be fine
Contributed by Muhammad Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Casey Cox
All along the interstate
the palm trees were calling out to me
the line of them stretched fown the highway forever
as far as I could see
I waited til the sun was coming up
light morning traffic and a cool spring breeze
I heard the old voices calling down
from the tops of the trees
when I got up to the top, my head got light
for a minute everything in the world was alright
I saw the next tree just 10 feet away
give or take a few feet I guess
then I pushed off into the air with all my might
headed out into the center of the morning light
I knew that I was gonna make it
the new tree hardly shook to acknowledge my arrival
I knew that I would be alright
Kelly MacLeod
Could you upload "Golden Jackal Song?"