The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
“Estate Sale Sign” looks back on a failed relationship through the lens of belongings collected together and now being sold as junk. Throughout the song, cheap tchotckes are imbued with sacredness, described as idols and altars, and the failed lovers described as martyrs.
[Verse 1]
Crude little wooden idols and aviator shades
The trinkets and the treasures we brought back from the Crusades
Some guy in an Impala shakes his head when he rides by
But I remember when we shared a vision, you and I
[Verse 2]
Worked hard to build this altar—we made it earn its keep
The cracks across its surface spiderweb while we're asleep
The sacrificial stains all spreading out and soaking through
But I remember when we kept it pretty, me and you
[Chorus]
And high above the water
The eagle spots the fish
Every martyr in this jungle
Is gonna get his wish
[Verse 3]
Stock shots, stupid stock shots from the Pomona Mall
Set up like unloved icons, gathering dust upon the wall
From films no one remembers, they call down silently
But I remember when their names were dear to you and me
Yeah
[Verse 4]
Pennies on the dollar, everything's gotta go
The things that we can't even give away—I don't wanna know
Try to see if secrets burn when you hold them up into the light
I remember when we loved each other day and night
[Chorus]
And high above the water
The eagle spots the fish
Every martyr in this jungle
Is gonna get his wish
Estate Sale Sign was written by John Darnielle.
Estate Sale Sign was produced by Scott Solter.
The Mountain Goats released Estate Sale Sign on Tue Mar 29 2011.
John Darnielle at The Opera House in Toronto, Ontario on April 3, 2011:
“This is a song about, um, you may find it necessary to get rid of all your stuff, at some point. Because all of the stuff seems toxic. This song is about the toxicity. That seems like not much of a theme for a song, but we did...