Sudden Oak Death
The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice Lyrics
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gain an edge of panic in my face
search for some sign to tell me just how long I've been here
overturn the place
feels like each time my efforts fail
the whole hillsides disapprove
feel like a man whose veins have frozen overnight
yeah when the crack sounds in the wood
you will know that I'm down for good.
when the crack sounds in the wood
you will know, old friend, that I'm down for good.
I want to try to stand my ground,
dig my heels into the hills.
hope someone will come to right my balance
no one will.
feels like when I try to stretch my legs
everyone around me's trying too
so ready just to fall down, just to fall down
and to stay down.
I don't wanna spoil the view.
yeah when the crack sounds in the wood
you will know that I'm down for good.
when the crack sounds in the wood
you will know, old friend, that I'm down for good.
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice's song "Sudden Oak Death" describe a sense of helplessness and isolation in the face of adversity. The singer feels a loss of control over their own body, with their fingers going numb and their face becoming panicked. They search for some sign of how long they've been struggling, but find nothing to guide them. As they try to take action, they feel like they are being judged and rejected by those around them, creating a sense of frozen despair. Even as they try to stand their ground and find balance, they feel like they are constantly slipping and falling down.
The repeated refrain of "when the crack sounds in the wood, you will know that I'm down for good" drives home the sense of finality and inevitability that the singer feels. They are pushed to a breaking point by the challenges they face, and it seems like there is no way to recover from their defeat. Despite their struggles, however, they still feel a sense of attachment to the world around them, like they don't want to spoil the view. This creates a sense of tragic irony, as the singer is unable to fully participate in the world they still care about.
Overall, "Sudden Oak Death" is a powerful meditation on the feeling of being overwhelmed by events outside of your control, and the sense of hopelessness that can come with that realization.
Line by Line Meaning
lose a little feeling in my fingers
Feeling helpless, losing confidence and control, unable to grasp the situation.
gain an edge of panic in my face
Growing sense of anxiety as the situation becomes more and more challenging.
search for some sign to tell me just how long I've been here
Desperately looking for clues, direction or any sense of progress or achievement in a challenging situation.
overturn the place
Disrupting the status quo, challenging the existing order, taking risks and being bold.
feels like each time my efforts fail
Frustrated by lack of progress, feeling like everything is going wrong and nothing works out.
the whole hillsides disapprove
Feeling unsupported, unwanted or rejected by the community, society or environment.
feel like a man whose veins have frozen overnight
Feeling paralyzed, helpless, numb and depressed in the face of overwhelming adversity.
lying there, trying to move
Struggling, suffering and striving to get back on track, to heal, to recover and to overcome.
yeah when the crack sounds in the wood
A warning sign that something is about to break, or that there is a critical point of failure, danger or disaster.
you will know that I'm down for good.
The point of no return, of final defeat, of surrender, of losing hope or giving up.
I want to try to stand my ground,
To hold on to one's values, beliefs, traditions or identity, to resist pressure, change or temptation.
dig my heels into the hills.
Defend one's territory, refuse to back down or give in, to be resolute, stubborn or tenacious.
hope someone will come to right my balance
In need of help, support, guidance or mentorship to regain stability, confidence, direction or purpose.
no one will.
Feeling lonely, abandoned or betrayed, realizing that one must rely on oneself to overcome obstacles.
feels like when I try to stretch my legs
Attempting to grow, expand, evolve or innovate, but facing resistance, opposition, competition or peer pressure.
everyone around me's trying too
Feeling the pressure to conform, to fit in, to follow the crowd, or to compromise one's values or principles.
so ready just to fall down, just to fall down
Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, demoralized or defeated, and losing one's grip or momentum.
and to stay down.
Feeling hopeless or powerless to get back up, and to resume the journey or the struggle.
I don't wanna spoil the view.
Trying to maintain a positive outlook, a sense of humor or a sense of beauty, despite the challenges and setbacks.
you will know, old friend, that I'm down for good.
A recognition that one has been defeated, overcome or vanquished, but with a sense of acceptance, humility or grace.
Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kgpspyguy
this might be John's most underated song.
Matthew Reynolds
Best song on the album.
L. Ron Hoyabembe
Matthew Reynolds i agree. I wasnt crazy about most of them but this is one of my all time favorites from the mountain goats
Hexane
"Look, it is too late. Sometimes you have a bad day and you maybe for a moment think I can't really go on like this then if you're emo you go home and cry because work sucked and that's not cool right? But on the other hand, sometimes you have a year where you think to yourself "I'm not gonna last. This isn't gonna work out. I'm gonna keep showing up for the things I'm supposed to show up for and I'm gonna try and be a stand up dude or woman about it but something has got to break. Something bad is going to happen." This sort of thing happens to trees and it's called Sudden Oak Death." -John Darnielle
L. Ron Hoyabembe
Hexane where is this from?
Zetch_
@L. Ron Hoyabembe He said it one of the two times he's played this song live. http://themountaingoats.fandom.com/wiki/Sudden_Oak_Death
News About Brews
Beautiful song.
Jeremy Jed Michael Hall
great great artist. terrific song.
Jordan Frerichs
Just when I thought I'd mined all of the gems, this comes along.
Jacob Audette
I'm convinced that old Mountain Goats songs breed in the darkness of the internet. Over time, there are retroactively more 1997 TMG tracks than were recorded in 1997.