"A Beginning Song" is a song off of the latest Decemberists' album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. The lyrics and music are written by Colin Meloy who is in my eyes a lover of language and a real poet.
The song claims that all of us should try to find the calmness within the craziness of our lives and discover our own center. The line, "Condescend the calmest riot in your mind" references the importance of recognizing the power you have over your own mind and using this power to find yourself.
Meloy implores all to find their "center" which really is their heart. This seeking in turn allows one to love, be present and be engaged to the beauty of this earth ("its you, its the boy") and what may lie beyond ("the bright light"). His language is vague -- is he waiting for something here and now, or in the future beyond this life? The sentiment expressed by Meloy is a universal one, one that we all feel: not only what will happen next in our own lives, but what might come after life as well.
Here are the lyrics
After reading your post, I looked up the song and listened to it. I definitely agree that it is poetry, and the Decemberists do a good job of writing and performing songs. I generally think that all music is poetry, even when a lot of it may not be the best or most meaningful.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to hear this song after reading your analysis. Finding the calm within the craziness of our lives. Wow that's powerful. I can see a larger meaning like that present in a song that is poetry. Thanks for sharing!
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