James Vincent McMorrow — This Old Dark Machine
Album: Early in the MorningAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 2152
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 3
share
tweet
Spring it came upon us,
Every insect filled the air
Dropped their wings upon my brother,
Cast their shadows on his hair
If we follow where they're leading,
We will surely come before
Some unseen and wondrous magic
Made of visions to explore
Near the town where we were living
Was an old abandoned farm
Every year we'd plant an orchid
In the shelter of it's arm
To protect us from the madness
Of the future still to come
It will be like this forever
I will keep you safe from harm
Then they caught us in the summer
Dressed in fathers finest clothes
You the hat he wore to market
I the jacket filled with holes
I've been searchins all these hours
For a hand as pale as bone
That would keep the strongest sunlight
And reflect the brightest stone
Near the town where we were living
Was a warm and fragrant smell
Of the orchid we had planted
Now a forest tall and well
What a statue to our greatness
What a story all will tell
They'll remember us forever
They'll remember where we fell
This old dark machine, it shakes and it shudders
Pulls to the left, then dies near the gutter
But still in the road, the traffic is silent
The people they stare, and then they turn violent
If they should touch, the hem of your dress
I would rise like a lion, strike out again
The faithful they wait, the faithful they wait
By the sign
Near the town where we were living
Came a loud and joyous sound
As the earth and all her beauty
Picked us up from off the ground
Carried far across the mountain
To a kingdom never bound
We will live like this forever
I will love you
I will love you
I will love you
Every insect filled the air
Dropped their wings upon my brother,
Cast their shadows on his hair
If we follow where they're leading,
We will surely come before
Some unseen and wondrous magic
Made of visions to explore
Near the town where we were living
Was an old abandoned farm
Every year we'd plant an orchid
In the shelter of it's arm
To protect us from the madness
Of the future still to come
It will be like this forever
I will keep you safe from harm
Then they caught us in the summer
Dressed in fathers finest clothes
You the hat he wore to market
I the jacket filled with holes
I've been searchins all these hours
For a hand as pale as bone
That would keep the strongest sunlight
And reflect the brightest stone
Near the town where we were living
Was a warm and fragrant smell
Of the orchid we had planted
Now a forest tall and well
What a statue to our greatness
What a story all will tell
They'll remember us forever
They'll remember where we fell
This old dark machine, it shakes and it shudders
Pulls to the left, then dies near the gutter
But still in the road, the traffic is silent
The people they stare, and then they turn violent
If they should touch, the hem of your dress
I would rise like a lion, strike out again
The faithful they wait, the faithful they wait
By the sign
Near the town where we were living
Came a loud and joyous sound
As the earth and all her beauty
Picked us up from off the ground
Carried far across the mountain
To a kingdom never bound
We will live like this forever
I will love you
I will love you
I will love you
Comments (98)add comment
almost three hours of really great music without Paul Simon and Co. I'm eternally grateful (wihout the Dead!)
Love this tune.
Well, it's not an Orchid, but it's a fine old dark machine. MattiasE wrote:
Parts of this song reminds me of Mykonos, Fleet Foxes...completely
libertinesupreme wrote:
yeah but it's better than Fleet Foxes. IMHO.
I like this song, but the fact that parts are very obviously ripped from Fleet Foxes' Mykonos dull my enjoyment a bit.
yeah but it's better than Fleet Foxes. IMHO.
this is fantastic - love it…
I like this song, but the fact that parts are very obviously ripped from Fleet Foxes' Mykonos dull my enjoyment a bit.
Still fabulous!
Edweirdo wrote:
Do you have to be an artist to have an opinion on art now?
I think not.
I love reading thoughtful comments about why someone does or does not like a tune.
Comments like "sucko bafo" just make me cringe. Who cares? Tell me why.
As for this song, after the first time hearing, I think it will grow on me
Do you have to be an artist to have an opinion on art now?
I think not.
I love reading thoughtful comments about why someone does or does not like a tune.
Comments like "sucko bafo" just make me cringe. Who cares? Tell me why.
As for this song, after the first time hearing, I think it will grow on me
itsme_bygolly wrote:
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
Do you have to be an artist to have an opinion on art now?
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
Do you have to be an artist to have an opinion on art now?
nampelkafe wrote:
Now it's our turn in the land of The Great White North! Bring it on.
Great song for Spring coming, here at the South of the world.
Now it's our turn in the land of The Great White North! Bring it on.
That was a sweet listen. 
itsme_bygolly wrote:
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
critics, all assholes, much like you
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
critics, all assholes, much like you
Great song for Spring coming, here at the South of the world.
ppopp wrote:
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
Living without this song being within audible range is a nice thing.
Listening to non artists criticize artists is a laugh riot as well.
Parts of this song reminds me of Mykonos, Fleet Foxes...
6 to 8 .. great driving song or around the campfire
jahgirl8 wrote:
More than a bowl of custard, or an elephant's eyebrow, or the concept of shame, at least.
Makes me think of The Proclaimers.
More than a bowl of custard, or an elephant's eyebrow, or the concept of shame, at least.
Makes me think of The Proclaimers.
Living without this song being within audible range is a nice thing.
mrtuba9 wrote:
I see what you did there...
I take great comfort in this song...
I see what you did there...
Ghaaaaaaaaaaarghh!
Something about this guys sound makes me want to split my nostrils open with a boat hook.
At least it's not Coldplay or Dave Matthews.
Something about this guys sound makes me want to split my nostrils open with a boat hook.
At least it's not Coldplay or Dave Matthews.
I take great comfort in this song...
I'm hearing a lot of the same songs over and over again...don't let this turn into top 40 radio Bill!
I am hearing a Mike Oldfield theme. Is it just me?
NatureDeficit wrote:
Love it! Is that the Fleet Foxes backing him up? (j.k.)
Sounds like it!Love it! Is that the Fleet Foxes backing him up? (j.k.)
Yeah ,really are kidding ??konakid wrote:
Are you kidding me?
Are you kidding me?
xkolibuul wrote:
Cause he only wrote one great song. Gotta make the cut.
Are you kidding me?
Cause he only wrote one great song. Gotta make the cut.
Are you kidding me?
Great song, but how I DO hate it when grown men sound like girls..
Nice... 
nicknt wrote:
Cause he only wrote one great song. Gotta make the cut.
Great song, but why does RP broadcast this one only ? It gives the idea that the man wrote just one song.
Cause he only wrote one great song. Gotta make the cut.
ArrayMac wrote:
Somehow I doubt this guy ever listened to "Tubular Bells II".
I hear something out of Tub2: Tubular Bells II... Weightless, minus the intro and with a slower tempo?
Somehow I doubt this guy ever listened to "Tubular Bells II".
Sounds like "before you came" by jesse colin young. Great segue Bill.
Sounds like the lyrics were lifted from McKendree Spring "Spring Suite"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2r2Dz1Yo5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2r2Dz1Yo5I
I hear something out of Tub2: Tubular Bells II... Weightless, minus the intro and with a slower tempo?
The lyrics are great. I imagine they come from the realm where The Beatles got theirs from.
a_genuine_find wrote:
with some Wilco thrown in......
Sounds like:
with some Wilco thrown in......
Like this.
My favorite song from Early in the Morning cd is "If I had a boat" - gives me shivers down my spine - sigh.
Why did you have to remind us of him?
S-curvy wrote:
S-curvy wrote:
Is anyone else hearing Terrence Trent D'Arby in the solo vocals, especially the opening passage?
Just got through cutting veggies for supper and humming dancing and singing all at the same time.... good times, good times :p
Sounds like:
Is anyone else hearing Terrence Trent D'Arby in the solo vocals, especially the opening passage?
LIKE
Every time I hear this I like it more. Thanks rp. 9 with a bullet.
wise, lily, wise.
coy wrote:
i'm with you. and i keep upping my rating each time i hear it.
oh my gosh
the first time i heard this i thought - idyllic beautiful
the second time i went into the narrative and saw the dark ominous elements
now it's been a few times but it still has power even as the melody grows familiar
that's some kind of songwriting
the first time i heard this i thought - idyllic beautiful
the second time i went into the narrative and saw the dark ominous elements
now it's been a few times but it still has power even as the melody grows familiar
that's some kind of songwriting
i'm with you. and i keep upping my rating each time i hear it.
oh my gosh
the first time i heard this i thought - idyllic beautiful
the second time i went into the narrative and saw the dark ominous elements
now it's been a few times but it still has power even as the melody grows familiar
that's some kind of songwriting
the first time i heard this i thought - idyllic beautiful
the second time i went into the narrative and saw the dark ominous elements
now it's been a few times but it still has power even as the melody grows familiar
that's some kind of songwriting
Great song, but why does RP broadcast this one only ? It gives the idea that the man wrote just one song.
I've seen James recent tours. I highly recommend checking him out if he comes by your way. He's good solo, but fantastic with his band! Great interaction with the audience and captivating when perfoming.
Proclivities wrote:
The St Crispin's Day speech? It's a little different than these lyrics.
I have a special affinity for that speech, for some reason
The St Crispin's Day speech? It's a little different than these lyrics.
I have a special affinity for that speech, for some reason
Had to stop working, AGAIN, to find out who performs this beautiful, catchy song.
RP, you are so bad for my productivity, but I love you too much to stop!
RP, you are so bad for my productivity, but I love you too much to stop!
Tamster wrote:
Exactly ! going outside to do that right now !
I'm not far. I'll be right there!
Oh, wait, I missed it by a month or two...
Exactly ! going outside to do that right now !
I'm not far. I'll be right there!
Oh, wait, I missed it by a month or two...
Like this more and more. Bumping it up to an 8.
LOVE IT!!!!
Cynaera wrote:
Exactly ! going outside to do that right now !
I love this one - it keeps capturing my attention - like a war-chant or a prayer. It would feel good to have this playing as people danced around a bonfire on a starlit night in the desert...
Exactly ! going outside to do that right now !
jhorton wrote:
Just realized that Shakespeare wrote that in Henry V. It's in the speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt I think.
The St Crispin's Day speech? It's a little different than these lyrics.
Just realized that Shakespeare wrote that in Henry V. It's in the speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt I think.
The St Crispin's Day speech? It's a little different than these lyrics.
... and musically very pleasant as well ... cheers! 
I'm going to look up the lyrics. Very smart and evocative stuff. Terrific songwriting.
Pass the milk...pass the toast. Ahhhh....
jhorton wrote:
Just realized that Shakespeare wrote that in Henry V. It's in the speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt I think.
They'll remember us forever,
They'll remember where we fell.
Wish I wrote that.......
They'll remember where we fell.
Wish I wrote that.......
Just realized that Shakespeare wrote that in Henry V. It's in the speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt I think.
Jazbo wrote:
Agreed!
Getting to like this more and more......7
Agreed!
Yeah, mix a little Fleet Foxes in with some Great Lakes Swimmers and a skosh of Andrew Bird...still, his sound is distinctive enough even if it's of a time. Then again, it's the rare—and sometimes out of step—artist whose sound isn't of its time. I like this a lot.
Getting to like this more and more......7
Andy_B wrote:
If you like this, the whole CD is worth checking out.
With the references to Fleet Foxes and Woodstock it just further proves there's nothing new under the sun. But it still gets an 8 from me if for no other reason than it reminds me of the Woodstock era and the changes wrought at that time in our society.
If you like this, the whole CD is worth checking out.
They'll remember us forever,
They'll remember where we fell.
Wish I wrote that.......
They'll remember where we fell.
Wish I wrote that.......
With the references to Fleet Foxes and Woodstock it just further proves there's nothing new under the sun. But it still gets an 8 from me if for no other reason than it reminds me of the Woodstock era and the changes wrought at that time in our society.
Interesting!
Deadwing wrote:
With John Mayer singing.
Inside out Fleet Foxes.
With John Mayer singing.
Cynaera wrote:
Ya know, I don't give a shit what cowboy says; this is good.
I love this one - it keeps capturing my attention - like a war-chant or a prayer. It would feel good to have this playing as people danced around a bonfire on a starlit night in the desert...
Ya know, I don't give a shit what cowboy says; this is good.
It's definitely the most ridiculous song I heard today on RP!
Just...., beyond (further) words!!!
What a Moron this Mc is!
Just...., beyond (further) words!!!
What a Moron this Mc is!
tbor79 wrote:
Pot...of coffee, yeah - I bet!
like the fleet foxes after they drank a pot of coffee and actually had some energy
Pot...of coffee, yeah - I bet!
Vincent McMoron - you bore me to the MAXXXXX!
Toke wrote:
Sounds Like '' James Vincent McMorrow'' to me ...
I love this one - it keeps capturing my attention - like a war-chant or a prayer. It would feel good to have this playing as people danced around a bonfire on a starlit night in the desert...
like the fleet foxes after they drank a pot of coffee and actually had some energy
Sounds Like '' James Vincent McMorrow'' to me ...
Sounds like by the time we got to woodstock we were half a million strong
Deadwing wrote:
Dead On!
Inside out Fleet Foxes.
Dead On! Deadwing wrote:
That makes total sense to me. Perfect description.
Inside out Fleet Foxes.
That makes total sense to me. Perfect description.
I hear a little Rosie and Me.
1972 soundtrack.
Yum...new finds make me happy. Thanks RP...always glad to get back to you...like a cold blanket (I like cold and not warm 
).
).Inside out Fleet Foxes.
I really like this guy.
i agree nice mood mellow and soothing.
Bumping from 7 to 8 - this one's a keeper!
Just picked up this album after hearing this song on RP... very enjoyable from start to finish. A few listens to the album and this is the standout track on it for me.
...i hear echoes of my morning jacket in this...
Some very nice atmospheric sounds in both this one and Emmylou's "The Road" which preceded — I think these work very well together!
fredriley wrote:
I agree completely. Liking this song quite a bit on first listen - 7, with potential...
Another new song by a new (at least, to me) artist on RP, and a goodie, IMO - an initial 8 from the Nottingham jury. As well as eclectic, this station is always fresh and surprising.
I agree completely. Liking this song quite a bit on first listen - 7, with potential...
I like it too! alot!
Another new song by a new (at least, to me) artist on RP, and a goodie, IMO - an initial 8 from the Nottingham jury. As well as eclectic, this station is always fresh and surprising.
One of the very best albums of the last year - a real gem!
Dropped their wings upon my brother"
Interesting as we had swarms of ants flying about a couple of weeks ago! Apparently they will produce a population with wings to grow the colony by flying off and establishing a new colony after dropping their wings! 🐜🐜🐜