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The Decemberists — Rox In The Box
Album: The King Is Dead
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 619









Released: 2011
Length: 3:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Get the rocks in the box
Get the water right down to your socks
This bulkhead's built of fallen brethren bones

We all do what we can
We endure our fellow man
And we sing our songs to the headframe's creaks and moans

And it's one, two, three
On the wrong side of the lee
What were you meant for?
What were you meant for?
And it's seven, eight, nine
You get your shuffle back in line
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again

And you won't make a dime
On this gray Granite Mountain Mine
Of dirt you're made and to dirt you will return

So while we're living here
Let's get this little one thing clear
There's plenty of men to die; you don't jump your turn

And it's one, two, three
On the wrong side of the lee
What were you meant for?
What were you meant for?
And it's seven, eight, nine
You get your shuffle back in line
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again

And it's one, two, three
On the wrong side of the lee
What were you meant for?
Whatever you're meant for.
And it's seven, eight, nine
You get your shuffle back in line
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again
And if you ever make it to ten, you won't make it again
Comments (64)add comment
Who has stolen from whom? The tune is the same as "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy" (The Waterboys, Room to Roam, 1990) ?
Posted 9 years ago by nicolas65    [ Reply ]
another decembrists song. sounds very different, but also gets a 1...
Posted 9 years ago by joempie    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
Just.say.no.

PSD >  Eddie Vedder — Light Today

 
Fine wid me, but any more Eddie Vedder might cause me to go outside into some truly fresh air. Decemberists are pretty interesting, working the Irish vein in the northwest. Maybe it's the ocean influence?
Posted 10 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Just.say.no.

PSD >  Eddie Vedder — Light Today
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Seems an optimal setup for dave carter when I go or the mountain. Digging this vibe & seg-aways
 
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
I've had my fill of the Decemberists, thanks.

PSD >  Doves — Jetstream
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Perfect motivational lyrics for International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  {#Skull}
Posted 10 years ago by Clarentine    [ Reply ]
That's what caught my ear too :)
ench wrote:
It's at least a 9, if only for sampling "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" so well.

 

Posted 10 years ago by spiggy    [ Reply ]
another college folk ber joint song!
Posted 10 years ago by KaraokeVox    [ Reply ]
Colin Meloy sings his 'r's funny
Posted 10 years ago by Lauriea    [ Reply ]
It's at least a 9, if only for sampling "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" so well.
Posted 10 years ago by ench    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:
Can anybody tell me what this song is about?

 
 Rocks in the Box is miner slang for Silicosis or if a coal miner, Black Lung is sometimes called it as well. The dust build up in the lungs that can kill.
Guessing this song deals with miners somehow.
Posted 11 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 motobecane wrote:

Mmm, probably not.

More likely the Granite Mountain mine disaster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculator_Mine_Disaster

https://www.butteamerica.com/gmtn.htm

 
Thanks - that's helpful and instructive, and puts this song in a new light for me. A true folk song. This lot used to really get on my tits, but they're growing on me through repeated playings on RP. A rising 8 from the assimilated Nottingham jury.
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
luv it :)
Posted 11 years ago by zuzannaro    [ Reply ]
Of dirt you're made, and of dirt you will return.
Posted 11 years ago by TigerSoul    [ Reply ]
I like  :-)
Posted 11 years ago by pontfarrer    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

Sex.

 
Mmm, probably not.

More likely the Granite Mountain mine disaster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculator_Mine_Disaster

https://www.butteamerica.com/gmtn.htm

 
Posted 11 years ago by motobecane    [ Reply ]
Come the Revolution, ALL will be judged politically.  AND musically, in which case you'll flunk both, Bozo.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
jchrise wrote:

Jeeeze! Two stupid Decemberist songs within two and a half hours of each other!'

I DESPISE THIS BAND!

 jkhandy wrote:

Bye Bye then!!   {#Moon}
 

I am with jchrise completely. And I was never here!
 
I'm confused...  if you were never here, how did you leave a comment.  
Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 dasfeuer wrote:
The Raggle taggle gypsy
  
so true... 
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]

NEW FOLK!

Not my taste - I like it way more dirty!

Since I have some backup of this page (I am an opportunist,

you must know) I agree that the song is simply stupid!


Posted 12 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
This CD is growing on me.
Posted 12 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
I wish this album had Sara Watkins on harmony - much sweeter voice
Posted 12 years ago by ycb661    [ Reply ]
The Raggle taggle gypsy
Posted 12 years ago by dasfeuer    [ Reply ]
I just love this group!
Posted 12 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Rox in the Box always meant a 12-pack of Rolling Rocks to us.  {#Hand}
Posted 12 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 Stranglersfan wrote:
I hope the next Decemberists album does not get abused on RP. This album is clearly overplayed on RP. They have tons of other GREAT albums that are not being recognized.
 
That's ridiculous.  A)  Their career is not long enough to have produced "tons" of albums.  B)  BillG has indeed featured all of their material as their albums have emerged.  And you can still hear their earlier material if you listen here with appropriate dedication.

It's a newer album.  It gets played more.  Deal with it.
 
Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I hope the next Decemberists album does not get abused on RP. This album is clearly overplayed on RP. They have tons of other GREAT albums that are not being recognized.
Posted 12 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
jchrise wrote:

Jeeeze! Two stupid Decemberist songs within two and a half hours of each other!'

I DESPISE THIS BAND!

 jkhandy wrote:

Bye Bye then!!   {#Moon}
 

I am with jchrise completely. And I was never here!
Posted 12 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:
Can anybody tell me what this song is about?
 
Sex.

Posted 12 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:
Can anybody tell me what this song is about?
 
I'm pretty sure it has something to do with coal miners and mining - either that or it's about Tater Tots.
tots

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Alexandra wrote:
Wow, I like it when they get all Celtic-sounding. I mean really old-school Celtic.
 
Indeed. I think the Raggle Taggle Gypsy -eqsue riff they repeat towards the end helps a lot.

Posted 12 years ago by rebus    [ Reply ]
Can anybody tell me what this song is about?
Posted 12 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
Two Decemberists songs in one day is two songs too many.
Posted 12 years ago by ERERER    [ Reply ]
Certainly channeling their H2O Boys there aren't they.  Not a bad thing...just not as good as the original.
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 Zeito wrote:
I love the Camper Van feel to this song.
 
I was thinking more along the lines of the Waterboys, but I hear the CVB too. Certainly a good listen.

Posted 13 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
Wow, I like it when they get all Celtic-sounding. I mean really old-school Celtic.
Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]

The excellent soil accordion in Rox In The Box, by Jenny Conlee, I got the idea to have heard before, by other artists in the field of Folk/Celtic. Is something of a pattern of folk music. Excellent performance, in all modes.


Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
I like this band quite a lot. If you aren't fond of folk music you might not like this style.

If you like The Chieftains you might recall this timeless folk standard which seems to have inspired this piece.



 

Posted 13 years ago by Umberdog    [ Reply ]
 jchrise wrote:
Jeeeze! Two stupid Decemberist songs within two and a half hours of each other!'

I DESPISE THIS BAND!

 
Bye Bye then!!   {#Moon}
Posted 13 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
Rox in my head!

Jeeeze! Two stupid Decemberist songs within two and a half hours of each other!

I DESPISE THIS BAND!


Posted 13 years ago by jchrise    [ Reply ]
 lmic wrote:
Some bands come out strong and then fade. These guys, IMHO, are the exact opposite...they keep getting better.
 
I completely agree.

Posted 13 years ago by rpfan101    [ Reply ]
Some bands come out strong and then fade. These guys, IMHO, are the exact opposite...they keep getting better.
Posted 13 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
such a happy little jingle, but it really depresses me. oh well, let's dance {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 13 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
I love the Camper Van feel to this song.
Posted 13 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]
 eruwenolorien wrote:

The female vocalists are my favorite thing about this latest album. I love The Decemberists, and those ladies just add to it. Oh, to sing like Gillian Welch for just a day...
 
Jenny Conlee has taken a break from the band to battle breast cancer. May we all wish her all the best for a full and swift recovery.
Posted 13 years ago by Chelshite    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:
Personnel

Additional musicians



 
The female vocalists are my favorite thing about this latest album. I love The Decemberists, and those ladies just add to it. Oh, to sing like Gillian Welch for just a day...

Posted 13 years ago by eruwenolorien    [ Reply ]

Bill sure <3's The Decemberists...me? Not so much


Posted 13 years ago by michaele    [ Reply ]
 coccyx wrote:
Raggle Taggle Gypsy

just to show how smart I am

and just to get the first comment in on this song
 
Well spotted. I wonder why that tune makes a cameo in this song? Wikipedia has it as a Scottish Borders ballad from the 18th Century. This is actually quite enjoyable for a Decemberists song - 7 points from the Nottingham jury.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
Gotta give 'em props for sneaking "Raggle-Taggle Gypsy" in there.
  Since it's about mining, and a lot of Appalachian (mining) folks have Scottish roots, it fits right in, culturally. Not everyone's cuppa, musically, but hey, different strokes.

Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 Huey wrote:
Bill certainly likes this CD. He's used 80% of it !!! A 7 from me.
 
do agree that it seems to be Bill's favorite!!!, but the whole record; an 8!!

Posted 13 years ago by JoepKoperdraat    [ Reply ]
Personnel

Additional musicians



Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Bill certainly likes this CD. He's used 80% of it !!! A 7 from me.
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
The music is actually not that bad, they get themselves a lead singer and maybe they might be alright.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Gotta give 'em props for sneaking "Raggle-Taggle Gypsy" in there.
Posted 13 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Have to say that this album is the best new thing I've heard recently. Hints of the Levellers as previously mentioned, but on other tracks REM are probably a better reference point.
Posted 13 years ago by kerr    [ Reply ]
Won't make it to 10... so I'll give it a 3

Posted 13 years ago by run4more    [ Reply ]
 spaceman wrote:
I came here to comment on this very nice Levellers song. Oops... {#Redface}
 
Ha ha!

Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Nilly very nice no rocking good hit {#Bananajam}   

              
 
Posted 13 years ago by Louis_Allaway    [ Reply ]
I came here to comment on this very nice Levellers song. Oops... {#Redface}
Posted 13 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
Nice and folksy! 
Posted 13 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
 coccyx wrote:
Raggle Taggle Gypsy

just to show how smart I am

and just to get the first comment in on this song
 
Good call Coccyx... you beat me to it!
Posted 13 years ago by rdaugherty    [ Reply ]
YESSS

I get the 2nd one, too...
Posted 13 years ago by coccyx    [ Reply ]
Raggle Taggle Gypsy

just to show how smart I am

and just to get the first comment in on this song
Posted 13 years ago by coccyx    [ Reply ]