The lyrics are written from the point of view of a wizard who rules over a fantasy city called Riversend.
Younger
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drain the wellspring dry
Map out your coordinates
Send out scouts by day
Dole out mercenary pay
For restless young subordinates
You never know who might be hungry
It never hurts to scan the windows on the upper floor
I saw a face there once before when I was younger
Set the torch aflame
Call the night by name
Stake out your dark position
Lie in wait
By the gleaming city gate
Try not to lose sight of the mission
It never hurts to give thanks to the broken bones
You had to use to build your ladder
Moment close at hand
Half of you will never understand
And it doesn't really matter
Big smile on my face
Capsule just in case
Underneath my tongue
Voices on the breeze
I heard voices once like these when I was younger
Blood rushing to my face
I know that sweet warm taste
And the bitter trace
Storm right down that hill
If I don't, no one will
Follow me right through the chaos
This whole house is doomed
Even the big parts get consumed
Prepare a grave for Menelaus
It never hurts to give thanks to the navigator
Even when he's spitting out random numbers
I knew what those figures meant
And what they hoped to represent
When I was younger
The lyrics of "Younger" by The Mountain Goats depict a sense of urgency, determination, and reminiscence. The opening lines, "Crank that siren high, Drain the wellspring dry, Map out your coordinates," set the tone for a mission-driven mindset. The singer is preparing for a journey or a task, rallying their forces and allocating resources. It hints at a sense of adventure and the need for strategic planning.
The lines, "It never hurts to give thanks to the local gods, You never know who might be hungry," suggest a belief in the power of gratitude and an inclination towards acknowledging the forces beyond our control. There exists a sense of humility, recognizing that help and support can come from unexpected places.
As the song progresses, the lyrics touch upon themes of youth and the passing of time. The line, "I saw a face there once before when I was younger," evokes a nostalgic longing for days gone by. It reflects on the experiences and memories of a younger self, perhaps filled with innocence and a different perspective on the world.
Further, the lyrics delve into the idea of sacrifice and the pursuit of a greater purpose. References to broken bones needed to build a ladder and preparing a grave for Menelaus convey a sense of hardship and the cost of accomplishment. There is an implication that not everyone will understand the mission, but it remains essential nonetheless.
The final lines, "I knew what those figures meant, And what they hoped to represent, When I was younger," reflect on the loss of innocence and a deeper understanding of the world. It suggests that as we grow older, we gain wisdom and comprehension about the significance of certain experiences or symbols.
Line by Line Meaning
Crank that siren high
Amplify your voice and make it heard
Drain the wellspring dry
Exhaust all your resources
Map out your coordinates
Chart your own path and have a plan
Send out scouts by day
Explore and gather information
Dole out mercenary pay
Reward those who work for you
For restless young subordinates
For those who are eager and ambitious
It never hurts to give thanks to the local gods
Show gratitude to those who have supported you
You never know who might be hungry
You never know who may need assistance
It never hurts to scan the windows on the upper floor
Pay attention to the opportunities that may be above you
I saw a face there once before when I was younger
I remember seeing potential and possibilities in the past
Set the torch aflame
Ignite your passion and determination
Call the night by name
Challenge and confront your fears
Stake out your dark position
Define your place in the unknown or uncertain
Lie in wait
Be patient and ready for the right moment
By the gleaming city gate
Just outside the realm of success
Try not to lose sight of the mission
Stay focused on your goal
It never hurts to give thanks to the broken bones
Acknowledge the sacrifices made for progress
You had to use to build your ladder
That were necessary for your advancement
Moment close at hand
The opportunity is near
Half of you will never understand
Some won't comprehend the significance
And it doesn't really matter
But it doesn't diminish its importance
Big smile on my face
A genuine expression of happiness
Capsule just in case
Being prepared for unexpected situations
Underneath my tongue
Deeply hidden and not openly expressed
Voices on the breeze
Whispers of memories
I heard voices once like these when I was younger
I remember hearing similar words of wisdom in the past
Blood rushing to my face
Feeling a surge of emotions
I know that sweet warm taste
Being familiar with the joy and comfort it brings
And the bitter trace
But also aware of the pain it may bring
Storm right down that hill
Take bold and decisive action
If I don't, no one will
If I don't take the lead, no one else will
Follow me right through the chaos
Have faith and trust in me despite the uncertainty
This whole house is doomed
The entire situation is destined to fail
Even the big parts get consumed
Even the most significant components can be destroyed
Prepare a grave for Menelaus
Accept the unavoidable consequences
It never hurts to give thanks to the navigator
Show appreciation to those who guide you
Even when he's spitting out random numbers
Even when their advice may seem confusing
I knew what those figures meant
I understood the significance behind those calculations
And what they hoped to represent
And what they aimed to symbolize
When I was younger
In my earlier years
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Darnielle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Thompson
Crank that siren high
Drain the wellspring dry
Map of your coordinates
Send out scouts by day
Dole out mercenary pay
For restless young subordinates
It never hurts to give thanks to the local gods
You never know who might be hungry
It never hurts to scan the windows on the upper floor
I saw a face there once before when I was younger
Set the torch aflame
Call the night by name
Stake out your dark position
Lie in wait
By the gleaming city gate
Try not to lose sight of the mission
It never hurts to give thanks to the broken bones
You had to use to build your ladder
Moment close at hand
Half of you will never understand
And it doesn't really matter
Big smile on my face
Capsule just in case
Underneath my tongue
Voices on the breeze
I heard voices once like these when I was younger
Blood rushing to my face
I know that sweet warm taste
And the bitter trace
Storm right down that hill
If I don’t, no-one will
Follow me right through the chaos
This whole house is doomed
Even the big parts get consumed
Prepare a grave for Menelaus
It never hurts to give thanks to the navigator
Even when he's spitting out random numbers
I knew what those figures meant
And what they hoped to represent
When I was younger
[Saxophone solo]
Studio Skies And Water
I did the album artworks! :)
Love this song
2Stripez
That dragon's all like "reh"
Emphracy
Nice atrwork! Reminds me of a lot of things...
ashley wilson
Amazing artwork 🤙
Manuela Helena Fernandes
Very William Blake
Francisco Gonzalez
How did you make an apocalypse look cozy?
Jessie Milne
I can't believe we are in the era of 6 minute mountain goats songs
Owouomm Glahm
What a beautiful time to be alive.
Terry Beardmore
He's gone from one extreme (short songs buried in tape hiss) to the other (long, borderline over produced songs with practically every high end recording gimmick)
I prefer the "I can't even play guitar really, I can just write poems" John of a few years ago but anything that keeps John engaged as an artist is cool with me.
jagoandlitefoot
@Christopher Bingham iTunes says Going Invisible 2 is only 3:05 long, but An Antidote For Strychnine is 6:04.