Montenegro Album Lyrics

DEATH IN LEURA (ALAS)

BLACK MOUNTAIN I FEEL IT BURNING DOWN ON ME BLACK MOUNTAIN CAN’T HELP BUT PLUMMET TO YOUR FEET CRUMPLE TO MY KNEES I’M NOT BIG ENOUGH TO FORGIVE I’M NOT PATIENT ENOUGH TO FORGET A PIONEER OF IGNORANCE CIVILISE THESE SAVAGE VEINS COLONISE THIS ABSENT MIND ISOLATED FROM PROMISES MADE NOW RENDERED BLIND IN DREAMS OF YOU I’VE LOST ALL OF MY TEETH TENFOLD SWALLOWING OR SKIPPING STONES TO SPEAK NOTHING OF THE VOID OR THE WEIGHT OF MY OWN BONES OR THE SEEDS OF DISREPUTE THESE LIPS HAVE SOWN I’D GIVE IT ALL JUST TO SAY ALAS THAT GRAMOPHONE’S STILL HOWLING THE VINYL SPINS RELENTLESS BUT WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS RECORD OR I SWEAR OUR PAIN IS ENDLESS THROUGH EVERY SLING AND EVERY ARROW THERE’S A PARADISE THAT BECKONS I WON’T WASTE ANOTHER YEAR ‘CAUSE I CAN’T STAND ANOTHER SECOND SO ALAS MY DEAREST FRIEND WE’RE MOVING FORWARD FROM THE PAST AND IF WE FINISHED WITH THE FIRST WE SHOULD’VE STARTED WITH THE LAST I THOUGHT THAT GRASS WAS ALWAYS GREENER BUT EXISTED COLOURBLIND SMOTHERED EVERY REGRET WITH THE BLACKEST TAR AND THE WHITEST LINES IN THE GARMENTS OF A DEAD MAN I JUST WANT TO FEEL ALIVE I SURRENDERED US TO DUST ALL THAT’S LEFT NOW IS TO SURVIVE AND HOPE THAT LOVE IT STANDS ME UP SO TALL AND HOPE THIS LOVE CAN RESCUE ONE AND ALL ALAS

THE MAN WHO WAS A FOREST

BEAST THERE’S POISON BEHIND YOUR TEETH YOUR INKWELL ARTILLERY TYING A NOOSE FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD TO SEE BEAST LAY DOWN YOUR HEAD TO SLEEP BETWEEN THOSE TYPEWRITER KEYS DREAM OF A NOOSE FOR THE MAN YOU CAN’T STAND TO BE EXECUTE THE WEAK SHAKING SINNER BURNING I’M STILL CARRYING THE SAINTS “TURN THAT QUILL ON YOUR THROAT” YOU’LL ALWAYS BE RUNNING FROM THE RAILWAY GHOST TURN THAT QUILL I CAN’T DISQUALIFY MYSELF FROM THE BLAME GAME IT FEELS LIKE I’VE JUMPED THE GUN IN THIS HUMAN RACE DEAR HEATHER MY ENDLESS APOLOGIES I WASN’T THERE AT THE END I HAD A DATE WITH A FLASK I COULDN’T STAND UP SO I COULDN’T STAND UP POISON BEHIND YOUR TEETH INKWELL ARTILLERY TIE UP THAT NOOSE FOR THE MAN YOU CAN’T STAND TO BE WHO CARRIES YOUR SAINTS NOW?

ANY PORT IN A STORM

WE WEAR OUR BRUISES AND CUTS LIKE SOUVENIRS BATTLESCARS THE ROAD BESTOWS IN TURN WILL TEACH US HOW TO LEAVE A MARK AND IT’S NOT TO SAY WE’VE BEEN THERE AND IT’S NOT TO SAY WE’VE DONE THAT IT’S ‘CAUSE EVERY CITY’S LIGHTS BURN BRIGHTER THAT FIRST TIME FROM ENDLESS HIGHWAYS TO ENDLESS NIGHTS UNBELIEVABLE LOWS SUCH ENDLESS HEIGHTS DOG SICK AND DOG TIRED I CAN’T SAY I’VE FELT THIS ALIVE IN SO LONG SO IF MY HOME IS WHERE I HANG MY HEART IF HOME’S TO BE WITH THE PEOPLE THAT I LOVE I’LL HAVE A THOUSAND HOMES IN A THOUSAND TOWNS ALL OF WHICH I ADORE SO I’M COMING HOME AND IN THE END I GUESS THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME IF HOME IS WHERE I HANG MY HEART I GUESS THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

IF THE ACCIDENT WILL

SING A SONG OF JAGGED METAL SING A SONG OF SHATTERED GLASS TEAR THIS OPUS FROM THE FOUR-LANE CROAKING FORTH FROM JAWS OF LIFE IN THE SILENCE I’M STILL DEAFENED BY THE CRASH I GUESS GEOFF WAS RIGHT I’LL NEVER “UNDERSTAND” PART THE SEAS OF COMPASSION WALLOW IN THE DEPTHS BELOW SHOOT OUT EVERY BEACON ON MY LONELY VOYAGE HOME IT’S ALL I KNOW TO STUFF MY REMORSE MOUNT IT ON MY WALL AMONG THESE TROPHIES WILL I HANG THEN I’LL LAY ON MY BACK AND NUMBER OFF LIKE SHEEP GRIEVANCES WITH THE STARS UNTIL THEY PARDON ME TO SLEEP AND MY BLANKET’S WOVE OF BITUMEN ALL THESE LIVES AND LOVES IRREPARABLE I NEVER WANTED TO ADMIT PERSECUTED BY WHAT-IFS MY DEFEAT WAS INEVITABLE THE HARE COULD ONLY RUN AND GNAW AWAY HER SUTURES AND I WAS BORN A SON OF BLOODSUCKERS AND BUTCHERS WHEN I LEFT MY PRIDE AMIDST THE WRECKAGE I LEFT MY PRIDE DEAD ON THE ROADSIDE CRADLED IN THE JAWS OF LIFE USELESS

ALMA MARTYR

BURY THE BONES KEEP THE TORCHES LIT BURY THE BONES IN THE DARKEST PIT CARRY THE WEIGHT BUT WE CAN’T CARRY ON STILL THE ROAD DRAGS ON AND ON CARRY ON WITH AIR IN OUR HEARTS AND BLOOD IN OUR LUNGS TO BE MORE AFRAID OF LIVING OLD THAN DYING YOUNG TOAST THE PAST LET THE FUTURE BE DAMNED UNTIL EVERY NIGHT IS TIPPED BACK AND SWALLOWED DOWN A GUT THAT ACHES OF BROKEN GLASS ON THE HARDWOOD FLOOR A MOUTH THAT REEKS OF ROTTING TEETH WITH A GRIN TO MATCH CARRY ON ASLEEP ON THE GROUND WE’LL BE SAFE AND SOUND DREAMING OF MERCY STREET WE’RE INSIDE OUT SHE TOOK OUR EYES AND CLEANED OUR INSIDES SHE MADE GENTLEMEN OF BOTH OF US

SWEET PENDULUM

I’M SO SICK OF LIVING IN THE WIND LIKE ASHES GIVEN FLIGHT FROM BARREN CLIFFS THIS DEAD AIR I’M STANDING ON IS WEARING SO THIN THINNER THAN THIS FRAGILE SKIN COBWEBS WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND MY HEAD THIS WINTER’S EMBRACE GOD SHE’S LEAVING ME FOR DEAD I CAN FEEL THE STEEL CITY IT’S BREATHING DOWN MY NECK YOU CAN’T FIGHT THE INDUSTRY WHEN ALL YOU HAVE TO SHOW IS A WRECK AND I SWEAR IT’D BE ALRIGHT IF I KNEW THAT THE RATS COULDN’T SLEEP AT NIGHT I’M SO SCARED OF SMILING WITH MY MOUTH FULL OF WORDS I’M PETRIFIED TO SPILL I JUST CAN’T CHOKE THEM DOWN DEEP ENOUGH TO STAY PUT THEY WON’T STAY THAT’S ME THE ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECK THAT’S ME THE EARLY GRAVE THE LITTLE DEATH THAT’S ME WHO ATE THE STARS ABOVE THE BED THAT’S ME WHO WISHED THE WORLD ON A STRING SWING SWEET PENDULUM BRING ME BACK TO LIFE

TUNNEL VISIONARY

SO RUN AND RUN AND RUN AND RUN HIDE YOUR HEART IN THE CRACKS THEY GIVE AN INCH TAKE A MILE TAKE A KNIFE TAKE A NUMBER TO WEAR THE WORLD ON YOUR BACK BUT I’M NO ATLAS JUST SOME TITANIC HYPOCRITE ON OUR BACKS IT’S A MILE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL STILL WE TRY TO MAKE IT FIT THIS CHORUS OF LOCUSTS IS CEASELESS THE GALLERY APPLAUDS ON CLAWS WE’RE BRIGANDS NOW MADE ORPHANS THIS LIFE THREATENS TO DEVOUR US ALL MY HEROES HAD NO NEED FOR VICTORIES LEAVE ME LAYING HERE I’LL DIE WITH WOULD-BE KINGS AND QUEENS WHEN OPPORTUNITY’S KNOCKING ABOUT THE NOISE WE PISS AND MOAN CAN’T HELP BUT STRIKE THE MATCH BEFORE WE LAY ONE SINGLE STONE AND IN THIS ASHEN SCENERY THERE’S A CERTAIN POETRY TELL ME WHAT DID YOU THINK I MEANT WHEN I SAID “DON’T LET ME RUIN IT”?

ALL OF MY BONES ARE BROKEN

WIDOWER ON THE WIRE PLEADING FOR DEATH MANGLED AND TANGLED UP IN THE TELEPHONE’S CARESS A GENERATION’S SOLE SURVIVOR TURNING TO STONE OUT ON TEMORA STREET IN A HOUSE NO LONGER HOME “YOU WILL KNOW ME BY MY VELOCITY” NO ONE CAN BREATHE THE LIFE BACK INTO YOU YOUR HEART’S A DYING ROSE YOU NEGLECT TO PRUNE LET’S RIDE THE RAILS ‘TIL SUNDOWN LET’S TASTE THE COAL WE COULD RULE THIS STEAM POWERED TOWN LIKE DAYS OF OLD THE SKY IS ALWAYS FALLING THE GARDENS CEASE TO BLOOM I’LL SPLIT THE WOOD TO MAKE THE FIRE BUT I CAN’T DIE ALONE LIKE YOU AND NOW I HEAR THAT WHISPER “I’LL BE WAITING ON THE PLATFORM AT EACH AND EVERY STATION CONDUCTING THE EXPRESS CIRCLING ROUND AND ROUND YOUR HEAD SCREAMING ON THE PLATFORM AT EVERY SINGLE STATION CONDUCTING THE EXPRESS CIRCLING ROUND AND ROUND YOUR HEAD” DON’T LET GO BLOSSOM

HISTORY’S FUCKING AFTERTHOUGHT

WHAT A SHAME IT ALL HAD TO FALL THROUGH I SET THE CURTAINS ABLAZE SO THEY’LL NEVER GO DOWN ON YOU CAN’T YOU RESIGN YOURSELF TO THE FACT THAT THERE WON’T BE A SECOND ACT? TODAY’S THE DAY WHEN SHE BRINGS THE RAINS A DELUGE MELANCHOLIC BUT YOU’RE TOO FUCKING HIGH TO NOTICE THE TIDE’S OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR CALL ME THE DEADFALL WAITING TOO HUMAN TO CRACK A SMILE I GUESS I’LL STILL TEAR MY THROAT APART ‘CAUSE THERE’S NEVER ENOUGH BILE ALL THE ANTS CRAWL FROM YOUR EARS IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING SWEETER AND THE ASPHALT HAS SUCH A DREADFUL TASTE IT’S AN AWFUL LOT LIKE FEAR AND WHEN I DINE WITH YOUR FORMER FOES BETWEEN SIPPED BLACK COFFEES WE SELDOM SPEAK OF CASTLES BUILT UPON THE CLOUDS LET ALONE SOLID GROUND BRING THE RAINS ‘CAUSE NOW WE’RE STITCHED TO THE SAME PATHETIC CLOTH WHETHER YOU’LL ADMIT IT OR NOT IF YOU’VE THROWN IT ALL AWAY WE’RE BOTH THE SAME IF YOU’VE THROWN IT ALL AWAY WE’RE JUST THE SAME YOU LOSE BLOOD TO HAVE YOUR WAY I’D LOSE LIMBS TO MAKE LOVE STAY YOU AND I ARE BOTH THE SAME

SOMNAMBULANCE

ASLEEP BELOW THE WAVES TURNING OVERHEAD ALIVE AWAKE ALONE AGAIN WHERE EVERY SALTY BREATH IS CHOKED AND EVERY PASSING DEATH’S UNACCOUNTED FOR THE MOTHERLOAD OF MISERY LIKE CONCRETE SHOES BOUND TO MY FEET LIFE IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT IN THE CITY BENEATH THE SEA SUFFER ALONE WITH NONE BUT THE NIGHT TO GUIDE YOU HOME AT NIGHT THIS PLACE IS MINE I RULE THE NIGHT I’LL CREEP THESE HALLS TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE THIS NIGHT WILL GUIDE YOU HOME I RULE THE NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT RULES ME SLEEPWALKING ALONE ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

MY VERY OWN VESUVIUS

ASTONISHED AT THE EASE THAT ALL THE REST GREET STABILITY TONIGHT IT’S ME AND YOU AND THE CONFINES OF THIS NEON GLOOM LET’S LIVE IT UP IN THE LAP OF LECHERY TONIGHT IT’S ME AND YOU WE’RE A PILLBOX BUILT FOR TWO DON’T CALL ME A PAWN WHEN I MOVE LIKE A KNIGHT EVERY SINGLE TIME I THINK I’M MOVING FORWARDS SOMETHING STEERS ME TO ONE SIDE OUR PULSES ARE BROKEN METRONOMES WE CANNOT KEEP THEM IN 4/4 WHAT WE DO TO OURSELVES ALWAYS OUTWEIGHS WHAT WE DO FOR OURSELVES AND YOU EXPECT A BOY WITH BROKEN WRISTS TO TUCK YOU IN? I DON’T SLEEP THAT WELL MYSELF I DON’T SLEEP SO WELL IF YOUR MOUTH’S A VOLCANO THEN I’M POMPEII YOU WON’T LET ME SURVIVE ONE MORE CYCLE OF DAY AND NIGHT I ONCE SWORE I’D PAINT THIS TOWN RED BUT I’M POURING OUT MY HEART FOR THAT HALF EMPTY GLASS INSTEAD

MONTENEGRO

I SAID MY GOODBYES TURNED MY BACK AND HEADED STRAIGHT INTO THE SUN A BLANK CANVAS GLISTENING WITH DREAMS OF EVERYTHING I WOULD BECOME BUT NOW I’M CRASHING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER NOT EXACTLY WISER BUT SURELY WORSE FOR WEAR SEPTEMBER ‘04 THOUGHT I WAS DONE FOR SHAKING LIKE THE WRETCHES ON THOSE ISLINGTON CORNERS I USED TO BURN SO BRIGHT THE WHOLE WORLD WAS BLINDED NOW I’VE NOTHING LEFT TO SHOW BUT CHEAP TATTOOS PERMANENT BRUISES A SHELL THAT HARDENED EVEN AS IT TURNED TO DUST I USED TO BURN SO BRIGHT UNTIL I CHASED A POISON LOVE COULDN’T COMPETE WITH THE DRUGS WHAT WOULD YOU THINK OF ME? I TOOK MY CHANCES HOLDING FAST AGAINST THE WRECKING BALL JUST TO FEEL SOMETHING ELSE MAMA I’VE SEEN SOME THINGS I CAN’T UNSEE SO PULL THE WOOL OVER MY EYES UNTIL IT’S AT MY GODDAMN KNEES AND MAMA I’VE DONE SOME THINGS I CAN’T UNDO SIX STRINGS TO HIDE BEHIND AND THE WORLD IS BUILT ANEW AND DAD I ONLY EVER WANTED TO MAKE YOU PROUD BUT SOMETIMES I THINK I COULD FILL A BOOK WITH ALL THE WAYS I’VE LET YOU DOWN YOUR SON IS LOST AT 28 STILL SCRAPING BY FOR THAT CASUAL WAGE ALL SO HE CAN NIGHTLY RISE TO GUT HIMSELF ON THAT ALL-FORGIVING STAGE AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND I’VE CLIMBED THE WALLS TO FEED MY GHOSTS AND ON THOSE NIGHTS THIS PAIN IS BEAUTIFUL YOU’VE GOT TO THROW YOURSELF TO THE WOLVES THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE I FEEL IT BURNING DOWN ON ME THERE IS NOTHING LEFT