Image courtesy flickr user FXR
I’ve acquired a very good quality live recording of Two Gallants performing a new song at Bonnaroo. Yes, Bonnaroo was back in June. I must admit I’ve been sitting on it awhile because I’ve been trying to decipher the lyrics. I’m not sure of the title, but this particular unreleased song has been circulating around YouTube for a couple months. I daresay this is the most clear audio of it you’ll find.
Two Gallants: New Song, Live at Bonnaroo (download)
As per usual, the powerful San Francisco duo have a knack for rhythm, gracing this with a sway that makes me envision a room of people doing some sort of ballroom dance to it. Frontman Adam Stephens’ lyrics are as dark and desperate as ever while he sings of Armageddon, yet he does so with that same sort of renegade pride found throughout their catalog, particularly in songs like “Las Cruces Jail” and “Steady Rollin’.” Based on the content, I’d guess it’s from the viewpoint of a wounded soldier.
Click the jump to see YouTube videos of this tune, and for my guesstimate at the lyrics (of this version).
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3TTBh5PAO0[/youtube]
Two Gallants performing this song in Germany (May 2008)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vuLqkrigj0[/youtube]
Two Gallants performing this song in Austin, Texas (February 2008)
If you listen to these two versions, you’ll notice the lyrics are different from the one posted above. As he often does with new songs, Stephens has been changing lyrics as time goes by. Here’s what I think we’re hearing him sing in this more recent version:
Bloody, bloody bleeds the brain
Jangling from my mortal (shame/shade?)
Oh, in the bedroom, boy,
The vagabond shall come
And when this sinking sound
Gathers us, swallowed down
Oh, in the bedroom,
Destiny will hold
Chorus:
Well, I’ll be there in the burning air
When the world comes to an end
What a grand sight to behold
And should they ask me,
Had I nothing to defend?
We all feed the wolves
From the shelter of the (fold/foe/bones?)
High upon the balcony
The widows walk from sea to sea
There were jets a-blazin’
Johnny’s coming home
Something in his face has changed
His features are all re-arranged
Momma, momma, I just came back
To bring to you my bones
Chorus:
Well, I was there in the burning air
When the world came to an end
What a grand sight to behold
And should they ask me,
Had I nothing to defend?
We all feed the wolves
From the shelter of the (fold/foe/bones?)
First class of this sinking ship
A game of craps, a gain of chips
Oh, on the decks below
We bang the pipe and drum
And when it all comes down
Swallowed you, another round
Down by the bedroom
In the destiny we hold
Chorus:
Well, I’ll be there in the burning air
When the world comes to an end
What a grand sight to behold
And should they ask me,
Had I nothing to defend?
We all feed the wolves
From the shelter of the (fold/foe/bones?)
If anyone has any guesses as to the lyrics, leave ’em in the comments!
4 comments
Justin Watt says:
Aug 21, 2008
Your timing is impeccable. Yesterday I was watching the Two Gs do a sound check at the Independent in San Francisco and they played this song I didn’t quite recognize. I went searching for the lyrics and of course came to your post—which appears to be the only one out there referencing this particular song. Anyway, I too recorded them playing it (and the sound check that preceded it) so perhaps that’ll help with your lyrics transcription.
Taylor says:
Aug 21, 2008
Haha, once again, good ol’ Adam has changed the lyrics – even between this version and yours. Always keeping us guessing, that man. Although on yours it sounds like he’s saying, “I’ll be there in the burning air,” so I’ll probably change that.
Thanks so much for sharing!
jon says:
Jul 2, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opONXtQtxik
you can understand him a bit better on this version i found on youtube.
Donny Firth says:
Nov 27, 2009
Anyway I can get that Two gallants song from you? The link seems to be broken, and well; I’m a big fan. Thank you.