The title of this song refers to Mark Givens, painter of the album art for Beautiful Rat Sunrise, and Joel Huschle whose rat, Mr. Do, was the model for the album’s art. Both were members of the band Wckr Spgt.
[Verse 1]
I opened up the window and the cold air came in
And I saw a bird on a branch outside
That I had never seen before
He looked like a robin, but it had an upside down
V-shaped red mark on its chest
And I had a special feeling in my mind
I had a special feeling in my mind
I had a certain glint in my eye
On the morning trouble came by
[Verse 2]
There was a map of the American Midwest on one wall
And there was a map of the American West on another wall
And there was a map of Rome on the third wall
And there were maps in all directions
I was looking at them pondering connections
When trouble came by
[Verse 3]
I stuck my head out the window
I had to stick my head out the window
It was much colder than I'd imagined it would be
It was much, much colder than I'd imagined it would be
It was much, much colder
It was much, much colder when trouble came by
[Outro]
Song for Mark and Joel was written by John Darnielle.
Song for Mark and Joel was produced by John Darnielle.
The Mountain Goats released Song for Mark and Joel on Mon Mar 21 1994.
John Darnielle, before playing this song at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ on June 5, 2013:
I wrote this song for Mark and Joel. It’s called “Song for Mark and Joel.”