Howard and Crisp met while in college in Wilmington, North Carolina. That fall, they moved to nearby Raleigh to form The Rosebuds. Merge Records discovered their demo in early 2003 and released Make Out as a full-length debut album that October.
The Rosebuds Unwind EP, an EP with six songs, was released in April 2005, followed by Birds Make Good Neighbors in September. Night of the Furies was released in April 2007 and "Life Like" in October 2008.
The Rosebuds will release their next album in the summer of 2011 on Merge Records.
Leaves Do Fall
The Rosebuds Lyrics
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Where can you be
They said three months
You'd come for me
I've shouted "where?"
Out at the sea
'Cause your my love, my family
For old John Wayne to save us all
I want out both my hands and knees
I'm a desperate girl and that terrifies me
Can you hear me love?
My heart's the sea
It swirls and breaks
Since we can't be
I'm gonna build this sail
And they'll need me
Then we'll have kids, a family
I've waited for the leaves to fall
For old John Wayne to save us all
I want out both my hands and knees
I'm a desperate man and that terrifies me
(Hey, ey-)
Baby birds don't sing
In this old tree
And I've come down
Listen to the sea
So I must go
My bones cost me
To an earthen home to cradle me
I've waited for the leaves to fall
For old John Wayne to save us all
I want out both my hands and knees
I'm a desperate girl and that terrifies me
I praise the lord, now "I'll do it"
For an ancient promise
I could not keep
But I'm her lover
And death do me
This swirling ocean
Is the end of me
I've waited for the leaves to fall
For old John Wayne to save us all
I want out both my hands and knees
I'm a desperate man and that terrifies me
(Hey, ey-)
The Rosebuds's song Leaves Do Fall is a poignant reflection of the singer's longing for their love who has been gone for too long. It is a song about longing, desperation, and the fear of losing one's self. The song begins with the singer wondering where their love could be, as they were supposed to return after three months. The singer's love is not just a romantic love, but also their family, making it an emotionally layered song. The imagery of shouting out at sea creates a sense of loss and hopelessness that is palpable.
The chorus is where the singer's desperation is most evident. They have been waiting for the leaves to fall and for old John Wayne to save them all, but nothing seems to be changing. The use of "John Wayne" here is symbolic of the belief that a hero will come and save them, which is a common trope in popular culture. The singer's desire to get down on their hands and knees signifies their complete vulnerability and desperation. They are a desperate girl, and that terrifies them, which is a reflection of their fear of losing themselves in this desperate situation.
The song ends on a tragic note, with the singer having to accept that their love is gone forever. The death and cradling imagery show that this love story has come to an end. The singer, however, is willing to die for their lover and for the promise they couldn't keep. The swirling ocean metaphorically represents the chaos and turmoil within the singer's mind and heart, finally coming to an end, leading to their demise.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been gone too long
It has been a long time since you left.
Where can you be
I don't know where you are.
They said three months
Someone told me you would be back in three months.
You'd come for me
I was told you would come back to me.
I've shouted 'where?'
I have yelled for you to try to locate you.
Out at the sea
I have looked for you near the ocean.
'Cause your my love, my family
You are my love and my family.
I've waited for the leaves to fall
I have been waiting for the right time.
For old John Wayne to save us all
I have been waiting for a hero to come and rescue us.
I want out both my hands and knees
I am begging and pleading for help.
I'm a desperate girl and that terrifies me
I am desperate and afraid of what will happen.
Can you hear me love?
I hope you can hear me, my love.
My heart's the sea
My emotions are like the ocean.
It swirls and breaks
My heart is in turmoil.
Since we can't be
Because we cannot be together.
I'm gonna build this sail
I will take matters into my own hands.
And they'll need me
Someone will eventually depend on me.
Then we'll have kids, a family
We will start a family together.
Baby birds don't sing
There is no hope or joy in this situation.
In this old tree
In this familiar place.
And I've come down
I have lost hope.
Listen to the sea
I am listening to the ocean.
So I must go
I must leave this place.
My bones cost me
It is difficult for me to leave.
To an earthen home to cradle me
I will go to my final resting place.
I praise the lord, now 'I'll do it'
I am now ready to take action.
For an ancient promise
I will fulfill an old promise.
I could not keep
I failed to keep this promise before.
But I'm her lover
But I still love her.
And death do me
Even death cannot separate us.
This swirling ocean
This overwhelming emotion.
Is the end of me
This will be the death of me.
I'm a desperate man and that terrifies me
I am desperate and afraid of what will happen.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Howard, Kelly Crisp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind