Epics - The Mariner's Revenge Song

Another new section - Epics. It does what it says on the tin. Basically, any really long song is an epic, whether it be 7min (not really that epic) to 60min (completely epic). But minutes are not always what counts. Verses and narrative also come into play, as well as my ability to decipher the said narrative. And that is why I have left Dylan's Desolation Row for another time - no one understands it.So for the first epic I went modern, looking at The Decemberists' 8:48min ode, The Mariner's Revenge Song. So, why is it epic? Are you kidding? Break it down into three-line verses and it's nearing 30 of them. And it's all a cohesive narrative. That's why.

We are two mariners
Our ship's sole survivors
In this belly of a whale

Its ribs our ceiling beams
Its guts our carpeting
I guess we have some time to kill

Basically, the song entails the recount of a mariner, who has ended up inside the belly of a whale with a man he has been searching for the last 15 years. As the song unfolds, we hear of this mariner's connection to the other man and why he seeks the death of him. It is awesome. Someday I hope to memorize this song. As simplistic as the tale may seem, Colin Meloy makes it all the more intriguing with some very peculiar specific details and dialogue. Anyways, now I am just rambling.

Check out the song. It is awesome, as is the rest of the album it is taken from, Picaresque.

Link: The Mariner's Revenge Song [MP3]