This song is lead singer Colin Meloy’s way of begging forgiveness for letting a friend’s bicycle get stolen on his watch.
According to Stereogum, the song was
“originally left on the answering machine of “Steven,” the details in the narrative are relics of Meloy’s past, with “Orange Street Food Far...
[Verse 1]
I'm really sorry, Steven
But your bicycle's been stolen
I was watching it for you 'til you came back in the fall
Guess I didn't do a good job after all
[Verse 2]
I was feeling really sorry, Steven
And I spent all morning grieving
And everybody's saying that you'll take the news gracefully
Somehow I don't think I'll get off that easily
[Chorus 1]
I meant her no harm
When I left her unlocked outside the Orange Street Food Farm
I was just running in, didn't think I'd be that long
I came out, she was gone
And all that was there was some bored old dog
Leashed up to the place where your bicycle had been
Guess we'll never see poor Madeleine again
[Verse 3]
Let this be consolation, Steven
That all the while you were in England
I treated her with care and respect and gave her lots of love
And I was usually pretty good 'bout locking her up
[Chorus 2]
Where has she gone?
Well, I bet she's on the bottom of a Frenchtown pond
Rudely abused on some hesher's joyride
So I wrote you this song
In the hopes that you'd forgive me even though it was wrong
Being so careless with a thing so great
And taking your poor Madeleine away, away
Apology Song was written by Colin Meloy.
Apology Song was produced by The Decemberists.
The Decemberists released Apology Song on Tue Mar 04 2003.