Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came", uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which hundreds of thousands of people died.
In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered six- and twelve-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.
On 12 December 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, of Death Cab for Cutie fame, in April 2006. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, and their first major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed. The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, with The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on 17 October 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.
In July 2007 the Decemberists set out on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On 7 July, the tour put the group on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, and they were joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On 15 July the group performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then played a free concert in Chicago, Ilinois, at the recently developed Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In September 2007 they also played at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2007, they began The Long and Short of It Tour. However, having completed the European portion of the tour and immediately after playing the Chicago dates, the rest of the tour was canceled due to illness.
On 24 March 2009, the band released The Hazards of Love, their fifth album. The album's first single, "The Rake's Song", was made available for free on the band's website. The album featured guest appearances from My Brightest Diamond, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Robyn Hitchcock and Jim James. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200.
On 11 January 2011, the band released their sixth album The King is Dead. The band released the first single "Down by the Water" for free on their website. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States and is the highest charting album in the band's career. The second single, "This Is Why We Fight" was released on January 25, 2011.
There is another band with the same name:
(2). The Decemberists formed in Liverpool in 1984 when Andy Ford and Tom Gent from Swim Naked hooked up with Colin Pennington, who had just left The Tunnel Users. They played their first show at The Cavern in 1985 and then played extensively in their home city. After recording demo tapes which attracted attention from BBC Radio 1's John Peel and Rough Trade Records, they secured a residency at University Of London Union (ULU). Their first release was James Is (Still The Same) on the Discreet Campaigns compilation cassette tape alongside New Order and Cocteau Twins. After the appearance of Gift Horse on the Ways To Wear Coats compilation LP in 1987, the band changed their name to Hellfire Sermons.
James Is (Still The Same) was included on The Sound Of Leamington Spa Volume 6 in 2009. They are listed as ‘The Decemberists Of Liverpool 1985-87’ on this album to make a distinction from the famous 21st century group of the same name.
Sons & Daughters
The Decemberists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 'cross the border
Steady your boats, arms to shoulder
Till tides all pull our hull aground
Take up your arm
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 (when we arrive, sons and daughters)
We'll make our lives on the water (we'll make our lives on the water)
We'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon
When we arrive, sons and daughters (when we arrive, sons and daughters)
We'll make our homes on the water (we'll make our homes on the water)
We'll build our walls aluminum (we'll build our walls aluminum
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon (we'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
(We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
When we arrive, sons and daughters (when we arrive, sons and daughters)
We'll make our homes on the water (we'll make our homes on the water)
We'll build our walls aluminum (we'll build our walls aluminum)
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon (we'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
(We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
When we arrive, sons and daughters (when we arrive, sons and daughters)
We'll make our homes on the water (we'll make our homes on the water)
We'll build our walls aluminum (we'll build our walls aluminum)
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon (we'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
(We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon)
We'll build our walls aluminum, now
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs, they fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs, they fade away
Hear all the bombs, they fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
Hear all the bombs fade away
The Decemberists' song Sons & Daughters is a hopeful anthem that speaks of a future time when wars and bombs have ended. The lyrics envision a world where we have crossed over from one point to another, where people have arrived as sons and daughters, and are now making their lives on the water. The water imagery here is symbolic of new beginnings and change, the aluminum walls hint at a form of protection which will also allow them to float on the water with ease. The choice of cinnamon as a filling in their mouths may imply a sweet taste of success, a sense of satisfaction and comfort that they have found from making such a move.
The chorus of the song invites the listener to join in, encouraging them to take up their arms as sons and daughters, promising that they will leave their tracks untraceable now. This could mean that they will be untraceable from the past, or that they will be making a new path. The closing repetition of "Hear all the bombs fade away" shows that, despite the hopeful vision, the singer or writer knows that it may not be a straightforward journey. In the end, it is a song that reflects a hopeful attitude and an acknowledgement that there is always the possibility of a fresh start.
Line by Line Meaning
When we arrive, sons and daughters
As we journey towards our destination, we recognize that we are all children of this earth.
We'll make our homes on the water
We will build our lives atop the ever-changing tides, finding solace in the uncertainty of the sea.
We'll build our walls aluminum
Our defenses will be strong and resilient, crafted from materials that can withstand the storms of life.
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon now
We will savor the sweetness of life, even in the midst of struggle and hardship.
These currents pull us 'cross the border
The natural forces of the world will guide us on our journey, taking us to new places and experiences.
Steady your boats, arms to shoulder
We must work together, strong and united, to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Till tides all pull our hull aground
Eventually, we will all come to rest, our journeys coming to an end as we settle into our final resting place.
Making this cold harbor now home
In this uncertain world, we will find comfort and safety in the places we call home, even if they were once unfamiliar and unwelcoming.
Take up your arm, sons and daughters
We must prepare ourselves, physically and mentally, for whatever challenges lie ahead.
We will arise from the bunkers
Even in the darkest of times, we will find the strength within ourselves to overcome adversity.
By land, by sea, by dirigible
No matter what form our journey takes, we will persevere and continue forward, undeterred by obstacles.
We'll leave our tracks untraceable now
We will forge our own path in life, leaving a lasting impact that cannot be erased or forgotten.
Hear all the bombs fade away
The oppressive forces that once threatened to destroy us are receding, giving way to a future of hope and renewal.
Hear all the bombs, they fade away
The echoes of war and conflict are growing fainter, replaced by the sounds of peace and tranquility.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Colin Meloy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind