This song memorializes the Granite Mountain disaster of 1917, and references the Butte, Montana mining scene from 1910-1920 in general. In an interview with UK’s The Guardian Colin states in regards to Rox in the Box,
“I was reading a lot about the Butte miners in the 19-teens. I had been fascina...
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
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 shovel 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
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
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 shovel 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 shovel 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
Rox in the Box was written by Colin Meloy.
Rox in the Box was produced by The Decemberists & Tucker Martine.
The Decemberists released Rox in the Box on Fri Jan 14 2011.