The Decemberists — Sons & Daughters
Album: The Crane WifeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 717
Length: 5:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
These currents pull us across the border
Steady your boats, arms to shoulder
'Till tides will pull our hull to ground
Making this cold harbor now, home
Take up your arms, sons and daughters
We will arise from the bunkers
By land, by sea, by dirigible
We'll leave our tracks untraceable, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
Hear all the bombs, that fade away (x20)
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
These currents pull us across the border
Steady your boats, arms to shoulder
'Till tides will pull our hull to ground
Making this cold harbor now, home
Take up your arms, sons and daughters
We will arise from the bunkers
By land, by sea, by dirigible
We'll leave our tracks untraceable, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
When we arrive, sons and daughters
We'll make our homes on the water
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now
Hear all the bombs, that fade away (x20)
Comments (219)add comment
The beauty of Radio Paradise is its eclecticism. The Decemberists aren't for everyone, but that's why mute buttons were invented. I for one love them, and this song in particular.
I......can't.......stand......this......song......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please for the love of god Bill, stop playing this song. Please!
bwa-hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
this sounds like a middle school church youth group..
this sounds like a middle school church youth group..
Cynaera wrote:
whatever...yawn.
Okay, I've had a little time to process this song better, and I like it. I think the cinnamon reference is probably Biblical and metaphorical. In ancient times, things like olive oil, cinnamon and even sheep were considered precious, because they were either difficult to obtain, or were very labor-intensive to keep for what they produced.
I like the message of this song. I like the beat. I like the vocals. I like the fact that they were able to incorporate the word "dirigible" into the lyrics and, one up from that, were able to rhyme it.
Giving this a 7.
I like the message of this song. I like the beat. I like the vocals. I like the fact that they were able to incorporate the word "dirigible" into the lyrics and, one up from that, were able to rhyme it.
Giving this a 7.
whatever...yawn.
spotcheckbilly wrote:
Fixed it fer ya!
The Decemberists are highly overrated underated. I don't know why Hazards of Love was generally overlooked.
Fixed it fer ya!
crockydile wrote:
Same here.
Often like these guys...not this time.
Same here.
Often like these guys...not this time.
tapatia1072 wrote:
Yup. Especially the lousy falsetto-sounding background vocal.
This song goes on and on forever, with no apparent point. Very annoying.
Yup. Especially the
I was just going to comment on how great the lyrics are, esp rhyming "dirigible" and rhyming it well. So instead I'll say that it's really cool that it is also a round. I just love this song the more I hear it. So much to like!
Okay, I've had a little time to process this song better, and I like it. I think the cinnamon reference is probably Biblical and metaphorical. In ancient times, things like olive oil, cinnamon and even sheep were considered precious, because they were either difficult to obtain, or were very labor-intensive to keep for what they produced.
I like the message of this song. I like the beat. I like the vocals. I like the fact that they were able to incorporate the word "dirigible" into the lyrics and, one up from that, were able to rhyme it.
Giving this a 7.
I like the message of this song. I like the beat. I like the vocals. I like the fact that they were able to incorporate the word "dirigible" into the lyrics and, one up from that, were able to rhyme it.
Giving this a 7.
i was just thinking i wish i had a weird...er...distinctive voice...really.
dggeek wrote:
Apparently they haven't seen what happens when you try to fill your mouth with cinnamon.
harhar...I want to see the Decemberists do this on stage
dggeek wrote:
Oh, that was just horrible... I love cinnamon - put it in my coffee every morning, and mix it with honey to put on toast. I even like to suck on a cinnamon stick when I'm thinking hard at work.
I want to believe that the line, "Fill our mouths with cinnamon" was more a figurative term than a literal one...
Apparently they haven't seen what happens when you try to fill your mouth with cinnamon.
Oh, that was just horrible... I love cinnamon - put it in my coffee every morning, and mix it with honey to put on toast. I even like to suck on a cinnamon stick when I'm thinking hard at work.
I want to believe that the line, "Fill our mouths with cinnamon" was more a figurative term than a literal one...
forget the cinnamon....fill the backup singer chick's mouth with a ball gag
Lots of bombs
This is a pleasant song, except that the fade-out lasts for about 65 minutes and drums itself into your skull. 
spotcheckbilly wrote:
NAIL ON THE HEAD
The Decemberists are highly underated. I don't know why Hazards of Love was generally overlooked.
NAIL ON THE HEAD
The Decemberists are highly underated. I don't know why Hazards of Love was generally overlooked.
Love the Decemberists!
total garbage.
nah. why not?
it's just the contrived nasal brogue spewing pseudo-dadaist 'stories', the 'period' instruments striving for authenticity, and general shabbiness.
it's just the contrived nasal brogue spewing pseudo-dadaist 'stories', the 'period' instruments striving for authenticity, and general shabbiness.
Apparently they haven't seen what happens when you try to fill your mouth with cinnamon.
This song goes on and on forever, with no apparent point. Very annoying.
i generally like this band, but this isn't even a song
we'll fill our mouths with cinnamon? 
yclept wrote:
Oh, really? I'll bet you couldn't tell me what key this song is in without using Google.
the chick is so off key it hurts
Oh, really? I'll bet you couldn't tell me what key this song is in without using Google.
Always ironic...
haha he used the word "dirigible" in a song... haha!
EssexTex wrote:
I'll pass—but you go and live that dream, Tiger.
Yeah let's make our own shoes, build our houses from willow trees, and worship a strange bearded man who sleeps with all the women.
I'll pass—but you go and live that dream, Tiger.
Stingray wrote:
Nice! (The song!!)
NIGHTMARISH!!!
Nice! (The song!!)
NIGHTMARISH!!!
DaveInVA wrote:
BOMBS, Dave.
Hear all the bums fade away?
BOMBS, Dave.
Essbee wrote:
Pogue mahone ya tosser.
Ugh, Irish-sounding. Can't take that Irish sound. Why, I dunno.
Pogue mahone ya tosser.
Brilliant end to a brilliant album. And yes, that's a hurdy-gurdy in the background.
Quite nice...I like what I've heard from this album.
Hear all the bums fade away?
Yeah let's make our own shoes, build our houses from willow trees, and worship a strange bearded man who sleeps with all the women.
mozo125 wrote:
This is one of the more intelligent bands of the recent, 'newer', wave. I don't understand the negativity, as well. If you haven't given the whole album a shot, give it a try.
ianmoff wrote:
Yeah. Neat
Must buy this album? Hazards is in my top 10 albums - bought a couple of other albums on the strength of 'Hazards' and they are shite!!
Yeah. Neat
Must buy this album? Hazards is in my top 10 albums - bought a couple of other albums on the strength of 'Hazards' and they are shite!!
So what was this, a dare song? "I bet you can't use the words aluminum and cinnamon in the same verse."
punkbot wrote:
Yeah. Neat
Any song that uses the word dirigible is ok by me.
Yeah. Neat
drife wrote:
The actual stats would support the opposite conclusion. Only 16.4% of the ratings are less than a 5. That means 83.6% think this is at least "decent".
I give it a 7.
Gee if your statistics of 90% of the RP community were true, wouldn't the
song rating stats shown in the above histogram be more skewed to the left?
Put otherwise, wouldn't the histogram bins for ratings of 0-2 be taller?
song rating stats shown in the above histogram be more skewed to the left?
Put otherwise, wouldn't the histogram bins for ratings of 0-2 be taller?
The actual stats would support the opposite conclusion. Only 16.4% of the ratings are less than a 5. That means 83.6% think this is at least "decent".
I give it a 7.
Take up your arms, sons and daughters.
When we arrive.
We'll fill our mouths,
Hear all the bombs fade away.
Essbee wrote:
My ass
Ugh, Irish-sounding. Can't take that Irish sound. Why, I dunno.
My ass
Any song that uses the word dirigible is ok by me.
Hmmm, catchy, toe-tapping goodness... I think I like it just fine, thank you very much! 
TernaryBit wrote:
Gee if your statistics of 90% of the RP community were true, wouldn't the
song rating stats shown in the above histogram be more skewed to the left?
Put otherwise, wouldn't the histogram bins for ratings of 0-2 be taller?
Dear Bill,
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Gee if your statistics of 90% of the RP community were true, wouldn't the
song rating stats shown in the above histogram be more skewed to the left?
Put otherwise, wouldn't the histogram bins for ratings of 0-2 be taller?
Most Decemberists tracks are OK. But this one........ugh!
the chick is so off key it hurts
This song literally makes me feel physically ill. I'm really not lyin'. Kind of nauseous with a weird headache. It's very odd.
TernaryBit wrote:
Guess I missed the election, cause I didn't vote for you!
Dear Bill,
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Guess I missed the election, cause I didn't vote for you!
rdo wrote:
I agree that this is a really good song, I like the way that it builds. But I don't know about it being the national anthem, 30,000 people singing this at Yankee Stadium would be pretty cool but it would take too long for the ball game to start, I think.
This should be the national anthem.
I agree that this is a really good song, I like the way that it builds. But I don't know about it being the national anthem, 30,000 people singing this at Yankee Stadium would be pretty cool but it would take too long for the ball game to start, I think.
Dear Bill,
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Please stop playing everything by this band/vocalist. Thank you.
Sincerely,
— 90% of the RP community
Repetitive much? I'm surprised they didn't fall asleep singing the last 1/3 of the song.
Essbee wrote:
Chacun son goût man, but this is a bit like me saying I don't like that American sound.
Ugh, Irish-sounding. Can't take that Irish sound. Why, I dunno.
Chacun son goût man, but this is a bit like me saying I don't like that American sound.
Ugh, Irish-sounding. Can't take that Irish sound. Why, I dunno.
This should be the national anthem.
Brilliant
bindi wrote:
jealousy
wow, lots of negativity about this band - I don't understand the criticism. I really like their unique sound.
jealousy
islander wrote:
Thank you for saying what I was coming here to type.
This sucks sooo much less than the rest of the Decemberists song it gets a 3! He should practice this singing through the mouth style. If he would keep that up and drop the pretentiousness about 30% the might make it to marginal.
Thank you for saying what I was coming here to type.
Yay!
bindi wrote:
wow, lots of negativity about this band - I don't understand the criticism. I really like their unique sound.
I do too, sounds very fresh and crisp. This sucks sooo much less than the rest of the Decemberists song it gets a 3! He should practice this singing through the mouth style. If he would keep that up and drop the pretentiousness about 30% the might make it to marginal.
F1 wrote:
If by "wimp", you mean open, vulnerable, emotional, thoughtful, and musical, then I think I agree.
Total wimp music.
If by "wimp", you mean open, vulnerable, emotional, thoughtful, and musical, then I think I agree.
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I like it too.
Best I've heard from them yet. Nice - reminds me a bit of For Squirrels here.
I like it too.
Best I've heard from them yet. Nice - reminds me a bit of For Squirrels here.
This is one of the more intelligent bands of the recent, 'newer', wave. I don't understand the negativity, as well. If you haven't given the whole album a shot, give it a try.
Also, I've seen them live, and their lead singer, Colin Meloy (solo tour), on an additional occasion, and the shows are very good, and they put out an excellent effort.
Also, I've seen them live, and their lead singer, Colin Meloy (solo tour), on an additional occasion, and the shows are very good, and they put out an excellent effort.
wow, lots of negativity about this band - I don't understand the criticism. I really like their unique sound.
I got nothing but good to say about these guys. Ear candy!
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I like it too.
I third that.
I like it too.
I third that.
kellis wrote:
I like it too.
What is up with all the negative comments here? Sheesh. (I'm only referring to the last couple of pages, didn't go back any further)
On another note, I think this is a great song. The Decemberists are a band that has definitely grown on me - another fantastic find on RP!
On another note, I think this is a great song. The Decemberists are a band that has definitely grown on me - another fantastic find on RP!
I like it too.
I am guessing not many songs have tried rhyming with "dirrigible". Wow.
The Hindenburg would be proud.
"By land, by sea, by dirrigible
We'll leave our tracks untraceable"...
F1 wrote:
internet tough guy
Total wimp music.
internet tough guy
Total wimp music.
eastcoast wrote:
huh? this doesn't sound one iota like r.e.m.
i'm a big fan of this song - makes me smile. came out right after my daughter was born.
sounds too much like an REM wanna be...could have tried to find a better band to emulate...
huh? this doesn't sound one iota like r.e.m.
i'm a big fan of this song - makes me smile. came out right after my daughter was born.
What is up with all the negative comments here? Sheesh. (I'm only referring to the last couple of pages, didn't go back any further)
On another note, I think this is a great song. The Decemberists are a band that has definitely grown on me - another fantastic find on RP!
On another note, I think this is a great song. The Decemberists are a band that has definitely grown on me - another fantastic find on RP!
alux wrote:
That's almost clever...
No, but there's often a significant correlation...
That's almost clever...
No, but there's often a significant correlation...
mwsteele79 wrote:
mwsteele79 wrote:
I didn't know personal taste dictated intelligence. Thanks for clearing that up.
Great folk hymn by a great band. I know this is a matter of taste, but to me this is just very plain and unpretentious songwriting.
This sounds oddly tossed off in the context of the rest of the album. I like the whole thing, and The Decemberists, a great deal.
AlienRelic wrote:
I like Decemberists, but this made me chuckle!
Toss them off some vast veranda and carry their bodies off by dirigible!
I like Decemberists, but this made me chuckle!
Toss them off some vast veranda and carry their bodies off by dirigible!
stewliscious wrote:
so anyway, now that I knows how to use Wictionary, I stand corrected. (I was disappointed no one corrected me). I give you... wanker:
wanker (plural wankers)
(UK, Australia, New Zealand) A person who wanks.
(UK, Australia, New Zealand, slang, pejorative) An idiot, a stupid, annoying or ineffectual person.
(UK, Australia, New Zealand, slang, pejorative) Someone who shows off too much. Someone who is overly proud of himself.
And not only was I wrong about the definition, but there is NO reference to male anatomy. So I totally misunderstood what wanker meant. Now I thank. Thank you RP, I love you man.
mwsteele79 wrote:
I didn't know personal taste dictated intelligence. Thanks for clearing that up.
Nope, personal taste indeed does not dictate intelligence, but calling a person "small minded" isn't necessarily calling them stupid either. From Wiktionary: "Selfish, petty, constrained in thought, limited in scope of consideration."
Hey, I never said it was a compliment. ;)
madaxeman wrote:
Not to belabor these unfruitful comments, but I was under the impression that a "wanker" was actually the thing you jerked, as in slang for the male sex organ. Oh and by the way, the Decemberists are commies.
A jerk is a wanker.
There is no such thing as a British Citizen. We are all subjects of the current sovereign. Roll on the republic, or better still, an independent Scotland.
I like the Decemberists.
wally42 wrote:
Dear Lord, you are a small minded person.
I didn't know personal taste dictated intelligence. Thanks for clearing that up.
sounds too much like an REM wanna be...could have tried to find a better band to emulate...
Love this song and album!!!
this one is a bit boring . . . but at least it doesn't hurt 
(and no, he doesn't sound British!)
(and no, he doesn't sound British!)thank the maker it's over! tedious.
mwsteele79 wrote:
Dear lord this is a stupid song.
Dear Lord, you are a small minded person.
Dear lord this is a stupid song.
tiggers wrote:
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
"The English language ceased to be the sole possession of the English some time ago."
Salman Rushdie
Besides, English originates in northern Germany: the Angles and Saxons didn't change their dialects the moment they landed in Albion's green and pleasant land.
This guy has one of the most annoying voices in music today. The musical equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. God awful!
Danimal174 wrote:
Languages change. I'm sure that modern British citizens don't speak the language exactly as their forefathers did (when's the last time you used "thou art"?). A language doesn't belong to anyone...it evolves to its users, you right twit (sorry, didn't know what the "correct" British term is for jerk).
A jerk is a wanker.
There is no such thing as a British Citizen. We are all subjects of the current sovereign. Roll on the republic, or better still, an independent Scotland.
I like the Decemberists.
tiggers wrote:
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
Languages change. I'm sure that modern British citizens don't speak the language exactly as their forefathers did (when's the last time you used "thou art"?). A language doesn't belong to anyone...it evolves to its users, you right twit (sorry, didn't know what the "correct" British term is for jerk).
sarahbean26 wrote:
This mother fer is not BRITISH!!! He is from MONTANA people!!! fake ass accent makes me sick. 
DUDE--what is your problem with Colin Melloy? You make this same ridiculous rant on every Decembrists song. Did he one-night-stand you or something? Give it a rest, Mick Jagger's not from Alabama either!
sarahbean26 wrote:
This mother fer is not BRITISH!!! He is from MONTANA people!!! fake ass accent makes me sick.
Umm...what? He's not trying to sound British, so what are you hearing?
tiggers wrote:
Make of it what you want as the word you are thinking of is "worcestershire".
Hoisted by your own petard methinks 
Lol.
GREAT GREAT song!
I don't care about snotty or snobby fake accents, or whatever....nor do I care about the "kindergarten" aspect (row, row, row your boat, etc...) of the repeating/responding verses...
I LOVE THIS SONG, and this album is frickin' great!
cc_rider wrote:
I don't care how they pronounce anything across the pond. I like these guys.
c.
You, however, make a very good point. They are fantastic.
I don't care how they pronounce anything across the pond. I like these guys.
c.
tiggers wrote:
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
While I would normally agree with you, you've neglected two points in the "Barack" example.
1) "Barack" is not an English name, and the pronunciation doesn't necessarily conform to English pronunciation.
2) Convention dictates that a person's proper name is pronounced the way that person wishes it to be pronounced, regardless of normal pronunciation rules. He could spell his name "Barack", and pronounce it like "john" and it would be correct. My favourite example of this is the man who named his son "shithead", pronounced sha'teed.
Edit: looking back I see that the quoted post may not have been meant to address the "Barack" example, but the schedule example. Sorry. Of course, I still agree that the English determine what English pronunciation is, and still think that proper names are a potential exception to that rule.
Of course, we won't get into the differences between regional pronunciations, or the differences in pronunciations between different neighbourhoods in London...
Just love this song, album
cochlear wrote:
He makes a good point. What, then, shall we make of the word "worchestershire"?
No he doesn't. Lots of American English is closer to the original British English. Many current "British" words were influenced by continental Europeans.
Languages change. That's a good thing.
Thank God.
tompoll wrote:
So how come on BBC I always hear reference to "BEAR-ack" Obama? That's not how he says it. It's "bah-ROCK." Are we *sure* you folks always get pronunciations right? 8-)
Yes 100% sure thanks. Why else do we say Coll-in where as you say Coal-in for the name Colin. You can always go and get your own language, but until then you are bastardising ours and that is fine, but just don't moan about how we pronounce or spell OUR language. Thanks!
cochlear wrote:
He makes a good point. What, then, shall we make of the word "worchestershire"?
Make of it what you want as the word you are thinking of is "worcestershire".
Hoisted by your own petard methinks
man this starts getting irritating toward the end.
tiggers wrote:
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
So how come on BBC I always hear reference to "BEAR-ack" Obama? That's not how he says it. It's "bah-ROCK." Are we *sure* you folks always get pronunciations right? 8-)
I know nothing of this band apart from the Crane Wife Three. This guy's voice is up there with Shane McGowan, well almost. Good stuff.
Meatloaf. At least that's what my dear old mum did.
cochlear wrote:
He makes a good point. What, then, shall we make of the word "worchestershire"?
cochlear wrote:
He makes a good point. What, then, shall we make of the word "worchestershire"?
or "pawncy git"
tiggers wrote:
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
He makes a good point. What, then, shall we make of the word "worchestershire"?
More_Cowbell wrote:
Brits also pronounce Schedule 'Shed-YOO-al'. Why not pronounce School 'SHOOL'?
Now let's see here. In Britain is the country of England from where English originates. So if we (as in the British) state something is spelled or pronounced a certain way then it is and that is that. If you choose to bastardise it that is up to you, but it is our language, not yours so don't tell us how to spell or pronounce it.
d00kie wrote:
Ya know how I know yer gay?? U rated this above a 4...
Your Comment tells that me you have the intellect of a four year old.
photockcom wrote: Geeesh!
I'm always amazed at how crass and untastefull most on this board seem to be when they don't like a song...
if you don't like it....great I'm happy you have tastes that differ from the writer of the song that offends you so......but the world we live in could use a little civility.
Really! And people want peace when they want to start a war over a song. Geeesh!
Rocky Mountain HIIIIIIIGH, Colorado ... oh, wait.
No can do. Not enough "pleases".