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The Civil Wars — 20 Years
Album: Barton Hollow
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2784









Released: 2011
Length: 2:55
Plays (last 30 days): 2
There's a note underneath your front door
That I wrote twenty years ago
Yellow paper and a faded picture
And a secret in an envelope

There's no reasons, no excuses
There's no second-hand alibis
Just some black ink on some blue lines
And a shadow you won't recognize

In the meantime, I'll be waiting
For twenty years and twenty more
I'll be praying for redemption
And your note underneath my door
And your note underneath my door
Comments (133)add comment
Those who like these guys, be sure to check out Barnaby Bright!
I never tire from this one.
I suppose with a name like "The Civil Wars," they were bound to break up sooner or later. Seems inevitable, like a lot of relationships. Hopefully it was worth it for them. Fortunately for us, we are left with their music.

The Civil Wars was an American musical duo composed of Joy Williams and John Paul White. Formed in 2008, The Civil Wars won four Grammy Awards prior to their 2014 breakup.[2][3
 unclehud wrote:
... see hilarious comments below re: lyric interpretation ...
 
You know, it's not just the lyrics!  The album cover is all about anal sex and their relationship, too!
 
She's already turning her back to him, and her conflicted feelings about satisfying him are apparent in her facial expression.  The wedding band is prominently displayed, however, showing that she truly "hopes the relationship will continue ..."  His expression, on the other hand, displays his lecherous intentions; especially the cold and calculating way he gazes directly at the camera.  The glare or reflection between them is a metaphor for their emotional separation at this key moment, and allows us direct access to her, while partially screening us from him.
 
The distribution of power in the relationship is symbolized by their different drinks: her white wine in an simple, elegant glass; his amber liquor in a blunt, stout tumbler.  And she isn't actually holding hers, while his is in a firm grip — perhaps just after or prior to taking a swig.  Her arms are crossed in a defensive and protective posture while his outstretched right arm is already reaching to sweep her closer.  Since his right hand is out of frame, we can only imagine what he may be holding.  A weapon? A restraining device?

And, of course, the symbolism of contrasting hairstyles, his mustache and bow tie, and their choice of black outerwear is so obvious that I feel no need to comment further.

Your comment is longer than the song!
 gmichaelt wrote:

I've run across someone suggesting -- without being ironic, sarcastic, sardonic, etc. -- Final Solution as a name for somethingorother. I forget the latter particulars, but… hoo-boy!


Well, we've already had 'Joy Division' so why not!!?
 mjbaumann wrote:

Wow! Those were some trippy mushrooms!


what a weird phantasy must one have to think of such a ... 

meant to the socalled unclehud - whatever it may be
 unclehud wrote:
... see hilarious comments below re: lyric interpretation ...
 
You know, it's not just the lyrics!  The album cover is all about anal sex and their relationship, too!
 
She's already turning her back to him, and her conflicted feelings about satisfying him are apparent in her facial expression.  The wedding band is prominently displayed, however, showing that she truly "hopes the relationship will continue ..."  His expression, on the other hand, displays his lecherous intentions; especially the cold and calculating way he gazes directly at the camera.  The glare or reflection between them is a metaphor for their emotional separation at this key moment, and allows us direct access to her, while partially screening us from him.
 
The distribution of power in the relationship is symbolized by their different drinks: her white wine in an simple, elegant glass; his amber liquor in a blunt, stout tumbler.  And she isn't actually holding hers, while his is in a firm grip — perhaps just after or prior to taking a swig.  Her arms are crossed in a defensive and protective posture while his outstretched right arm is already reaching to sweep her closer.  Since his right hand is out of frame, we can only imagine what he may be holding.  A weapon? A restraining device?

And, of course, the symbolism of contrasting hairstyles, his mustache and bow tie, and their choice of black outerwear is so obvious that I feel no need to comment further.
 
Wow! Those were some trippy mushrooms!
What great music too bad they broke up
Looks like he's wearing a face shield!
BELLA MUSICA PIACEVOLE DA SCOLTARE
 westslope wrote:
I like the song but the name of the band is lame.  

How about The Concentration Camps?    That has far better, modern day zing to it.
 
I've run across someone suggesting -- without being ironic, sarcastic, sardonic, etc. -- Final Solution as a name for somethingorother. I forget the latter particulars, but… hoo-boy!
 macpeck wrote:
A sad day when they broke up...
 Amen to that too bad they did

John Paul White's last two solo albums are excellent
 rdo wrote:
That looks like Dave Grohl and Marisa Tomei in a bad movie that never got made.
 
Rather Taylor Hawkins 
A sad day when they broke up...
beautiful!
 westslope wrote:
I like the song but the name of the band is lame.  

How about The Concentration Camps?    That has far better, modern day zing to it.  
 
So might "Blow Me" but I'm not sure why you'd name your band either of those.
 westslope wrote:
I like the song but the name of the band is lame.  

How about The Concentration Camps?    That has far better, modern day zing to it.  

 
Check them out on Wiki for an explanation.  It's actually a pretty cool name that reminds us how to treat one another.
ed sheeran's i see fire ahhahahahaha
I like the song but the name of the band is lame.  

How about The Concentration Camps?    That has far better, modern day zing to it.  
I was fortunate enough to see them live. 
 TonyApuzzo wrote:
 Aqaaaaaaaqakha 
and as annexations the samywswe GT vuxxzzzzxzZzXXgggggggggxggggg...&>&&&&gh6..6yyyyyyy 6ggygg&yyyyg& g&&&gy666 gyy gg by highyt GT thingy try gggg. gxggggggxgggggg gggi

 
nancy
yes!!
Do you know a lover  who writes a note on an envelope for the future, and a jimmy finn who finds it in due time, in twenty years.


 boontonite wrote:
This whole album is very strong. Too bad they are no longer recording together.

 
That cover might explain the parting of ways, as hayduke2's post just below suggests. 
"how did he find that goddam shirt!?!  I put it under the sink 2 months ago to keep him from wearing it YUUUCHHH!!! and that shitty tie for christ sake, is that his formal look for this photo-shoot? along with the skanky head of hair and the unshaven mess surrounding  that ... oh forget it JUST FORGET THIS WHOLE THING!!! get me the fuck out of here ... "
Strangely, I stayed away from this group initially because for some reason I thought of the White Stripes and didn't want to hear that type of music. So wrong. Stunning.
lovely listening..sweet, smooth and easy  ....  {#Kiss}
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
How did they come up with that name for themselves? Does it refer to the historic event (The World War Twos?) or is it something deeper, like marital strife? Hope it's the latter, because the former sounds ridiculous.

 
Maybe a reference to X's line about the civil wars and the uncivilized ones.
This whole album is very strong. Too bad they are no longer recording together.
 Dosequis wrote:
 Yeah, Dave Grohi.  Never heard of Marisa Tomei.  



 
Wow! She's had 3 Oscar best supporting actress  nominations, 1 of which she won (My cousin Vinny - superb film!)
Nice tune
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
How did they come up with that name for themselves? Does it refer to the historic event (The World War Twos?) or is it something deeper, like marital strife? Hope it's the latter, because the former sounds ridiculous.

 

Unfortunately I never heard of them until they were covered by NPR just AFTER they put out their last album and broke up.  What beautiful music they made together.  Musical collaborators / partners can be subject to the same strife and sadness and irreconcilable differences as lovers, the human condition.  And so ironic that this reflected so clearly in their music.  I get sad when I hear them because I think of my own loss.  That does make good art doesn't it? 
How did they come up with that name for themselves? Does it refer to the historic event (The World War Twos?) or is it something deeper, like marital strife? Hope it's the latter, because the former sounds ridiculous.
Give "The Violet Hour" and "Girl with the Red Balloon" from this album a listen. Brilliant.
Reminds me of Ian & Sylvia.
 DD gypsyman wrote:
Unique atonal substration.

  ...funny, that's what your mom said...


First listen?
Pretty damn good. I'm a sucker for good harmonies.
Is this sickly sappy day?
Nice duo good harmonies. Hey Bill how bout playing some johnnyswim? Also another amazing duo.
{#Angel} ...... liking this 
 FrankRizzo wrote:
In November 2012, the duo went on hiatus, citing "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition"
 
Seems they lived up to their name and had a "civil war" of their own.
I'm a big fan of the group The Civil Wars. They do a cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean that's pretty damn good.

Also an interesting take of You Are My Sunshine:

Sadly it seems it was too good to last:

In November 2012, the duo went on hiatus, citing "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition"

Yikes!






 rdo wrote:
That looks like Dave Grohl and Marisa Tomei in a bad movie that never got made.

  Yeah, Dave Grohi.  Never heard of Marisa Tomei.  


Somebody please download some stuff from the new release.
Nice song!
gypsyman wrote:
Unique atonal substration.
  

On_The_Beach wrote:

I believe that's illegal in 11 states.

 
Darned pesky religious extremists! What'll they ban next?
 lily34 wrote:
are they on hiatus or did they disband?
 
several blog sites have said that they're on "hiatus"...which probably means "we can't stand each other anymore" but they have put together a new album thats supposedly to be released anytime now.  i really do hope they've put their creative differences behind them because i quite like their music and want to hear more
are they on hiatus or did they disband?
 lily34 wrote:
i like this more and more each time.
 
I totally second that. Totally.
 gypsyman wrote:
Unique atonal substration.
 
I believe that's illegal in 11 states.
Unique atonal substration.
 rdo wrote:
That looks like Dave Grohl and Marisa Tomei in a bad movie that never got made.
 

 jt1 wrote:

I think I'd rather be listening to Dave Grohl.
 
I wouldn't be averse to having dinner with Marisa Tomei.
 rdo wrote:
That looks like Dave Grohl and Marisa Tomei in a bad movie that never got made.
 
I think I'd rather be listening to Dave Grohl.


I read they went their separtate ways last month..  too bad,  was hoping to hear more good things like this !


That looks like Dave Grohl and Marisa Tomei in a bad movie that never got made.
Heard good reports of them.... and this track does it for me..... must investigate further.
{#High-five}

lemmoth wrote:

Bill - You are awesome
 


 BillG wrote:

 
Bill - You are awesome
they're the real deal.
 jhorton wrote:

That's 100% grade a melodic minor.
 
Well, not 100%.
i like this more and more each time.
Picks like Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree).
 NeuroGeek wrote:
Love the voices and the overall musicality- but that odd little riff drives me more than a bit bonkers.  Almost like an Asian tonal scale.
 
That's 100% grade a melodic minor.
Love these guys.  Great harmony and instrumentals.  Will be my next CD buy.  I'd like to see them at World Music Fest in Grass Valley CA.
Can't say as I agree with the bum-sex theory {#Doh}, but I do like the song.
 sirdroseph wrote:


 Everyone keeps telling me I will love this group, still haven't given them a listen but they will have to win me over extra cause I am quite belligerent towards bands that everyone else loves!{#Lol}
 

 NeuroGeek wrote:
Love the voices and the overall musicality- but that odd little riff drives me more than a bit bonkers.  Almost like an Asian tonal scale.
 
Perhaps reminiscent of Asian tonal, but more aptly Appalachian picking.
And here all this time I thought the Dirty Vicar was a breast man . . .
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 

Weird, I was thinking the exact same thing!{#Doh} Everyone keeps telling me I will love this group, still haven't given them a listen but they will have to win me over extra cause I am quite belligerent towards bands that everyone else loves!{#Lol}
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Worth a bump from behind. . . 
Just went through the 1st page of comments on this song and I still can't stop laughing. Truly, life's great tapestry/travesty!
{#Lol}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Moon}{#Tongue}{#Rolleyes}{#Whisper}{#Naughty}{#Curtain}
 krysthal wrote:
Love The Civil Wars, haunting and beautiful. Great compositions and performances by Joy Williams and John Paul White. I'd love to see them in concert if they ever come to Toronto missed them, they were in Toronto last April! thecivilwars.com Another great Radio Paradise find. Thanks Bill and Rebecca!

 
I'm in T.O. as well, like the song on first listen, and I absolutely love that cover image!

Just bought the album on the merits of this song after hearing here on RP. Would love to hear more tracks from this jem.
harsh stuff below...

they sound good to me and the photo on the cover looks ok too.

Be happy.  Enjoy the music....

{#Angel}
Paul Krugman's favorite band.
What a happy looking couple!
Idiotic cover!
Love the voices and the overall musicality- but that odd little riff drives me more than a bit bonkers.  Almost like an Asian tonal scale.
Love The Civil Wars, haunting and beautiful. Great compositions and performances by Joy Williams and John Paul White. I'd love to see them in concert if they ever come to Toronto missed them, they were in Toronto last April! thecivilwars.com Another great Radio Paradise find. Thanks Bill and Rebecca!

Recently they played on Jools Holland's Later... certainly caught my attention, in a good way.
Great, the comments section on RP is becoming Rants and Raves on Craig's List. Big bummer!...Interesting how the rating doesn't track with the comments. Just noise from listeners with too much time on their hands?

I saw these two at Folks Fest last August and they saved the day. Definitely not one hit wonders.
 unclehud wrote:
... see hilarious comments below re: lyric interpretation ...
 
You know, it's not just the lyrics!  The album cover is all about anal sex and their relationship, too!
 
She's already turning her back to him, and her conflicted feelings about satisfying him are apparent in her facial expression.  The wedding band is prominently displayed, however, showing that she truly "hopes the relationship will continue ..."  His expression, on the other hand, displays his lecherous intentions; especially the cold and calculating way he gazes directly at the camera.  The glare or reflection between them is a metaphor for their emotional separation at this key moment, and allows us direct access to her, while partially screening us from him.
 
The distribution of power in the relationship is symbolized by their different drinks: her white wine in an simple, elegant glass; his amber liquor in a blunt, stout tumbler.  And she isn't actually holding hers, while his is in a firm grip — perhaps just after or prior to taking a swig.  Her arms are crossed in a defensive and protective posture while his outstretched right arm is already reaching to sweep her closer.  Since his right hand is out of frame, we can only imagine what he may be holding.  A weapon? A restraining device?

And, of course, the symbolism of contrasting hairstyles, his mustache and bow tie, and their choice of black outerwear is so obvious that I feel no need to comment further.
 

Cacao, Cacao!!!!
... see hilarious comments below re: lyric interpretation ...
 
You know, it's not just the lyrics!  The album cover is all about anal sex and their relationship, too!
 
She's already turning her back to him, and her conflicted feelings about satisfying him are apparent in her facial expression.  The wedding band is prominently displayed, however, showing that she truly "hopes the relationship will continue ..."  His expression, on the other hand, displays his lecherous intentions; especially the cold and calculating way he gazes directly at the camera.  The glare or reflection between them is a metaphor for their emotional separation at this key moment, and allows us direct access to her, while partially screening us from him.
 
The distribution of power in the relationship is symbolized by their different drinks: her white wine in an simple, elegant glass; his amber liquor in a blunt, stout tumbler.  And she isn't actually holding hers, while his is in a firm grip — perhaps just after or prior to taking a swig.  Her arms are crossed in a defensive and protective posture while his outstretched right arm is already reaching to sweep her closer.  Since his right hand is out of frame, we can only imagine what he may be holding.  A weapon? A restraining device?

And, of course, the symbolism of contrasting hairstyles, his mustache and bow tie, and their choice of black outerwear is so obvious that I feel no need to comment further.
I suspect thedirtyvicar was actually already registered as another member but didn't want to associate his post to himself.

I'm not sure which is funnier, the post or that over half of the responses took it seriously.

Oh well, maybe thedirtyvicar will appear in some Feist comments?

Proclivities wrote:

So you signed up to become an RP member (no pun intended), solely to post this entertainingly daft projection? It's a good thing that Bill doesn't play "The Hokey Pokey"; I could imagine your interpretation of that.




 apd wrote:

and the refection/glare in front of his face is lovely.
 

She hasn't touched her wine but he is holding on to his. He has his arm along the back and she is leaning forward. Good Body Language.
 Proclivities wrote:

So you signed up to become an RP member (no pun intended), solely to post this entertainingly daft projection?   It's a good thing that Bill doesn't play "The Hokey Pokey"; I could imagine your interpretation of that.

 
just another one hit wunder, maybe..

 Ears_of_Stone wrote:
I'll just add a couple of comments.

First, I love her voice. Second, I love the photograph on the Album cover. The tension of her turned away from both him and us, the viewer, is captivating to me.
 
and the refection/glare in front of his face is lovely.
Just a minute ago, this song just randomly got stuck in my head out of nowhere, and I started singing the melody in my head.  I couldn't remember the name of the artist.  I thought to myself, "It's quiet in here, I think I'll turn on RP!  Who knows, they might play this song!"

I pressed play, and heard the last 10 seconds or so of Pearl Jam's "Just Breathe".  Then this song started.  Jaw, meet floor.

Solid 8, maybe a 9 just because of that awesome moment that I just had.

Possibly the most entertaining series of comments on RP ever!  Great laughs below.  Read on!
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
So you signed up to become an RP member (no pun intended), solely to post this entertainingly daft projection?   It's a good thing that Bill doesn't play "The Hokey Pokey"; I could imagine your interpretation of that.

 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
to paraphrase Freud:
Sometimes a note under the front door, is just a note under the front door.
If we quit replying to that swill, it would s(l)ink away. . . .

Such a lovely combination of voices.  Nice song.
 
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
are you mentally ill?

 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
bullshit
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Oh!  My!! Ghod!!  I had no idea!

A great song, no more, no less   {#Good-vibes}


 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Oh, please ....{#Roflol}

 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Codswallop.

 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Really? You are kidding!? To complicated words for such a simple thing for my taste!

 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Odd. I thought it was about cooking pancakes and struggling about whether or not to include blue food coloring in the batter. Oh, and BTW, LOVED your sketch on Python!
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 

wow. people really do see what they want, don't they?  and then again, some people are just plain nuts.
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 
Really!  Anal sex!  Let me look though those lyrics...

There's a note underneath your front door that I wrote twenty years ago
Yellow paper and a faded picture
And a secret in an envelope

There's no reasons
No excuses
There's no secondhand alibis
Just some black ink on some blue lines and a shadow you won't recognize

Oooh
Oooh
Oooh
Oooh

In the meantime I'll be waiting for twenty years and twenty more
I'll be praying for redemption and your note underneath my door
And your note underneath my door


Oh now I see it.  That's the' Secret in an envelope' and the 'Oooh, oooh, oooh' part.

 
 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.

and I thought my mind was in the gutter. all the Mmmms might lead one to think that but there would surely be a "Whoa Nelly, back off big boy." in there too:

There's a note underneath the front door that I wrote twenty years ago
Yellow paper and a faded picture
And a secret in an envelope

There's no reasons
No excuses
There's no secondhand alibis
Just some black ink on some blue lines and a shadow you won't recognize

Mmm
Mmm
Mmm
Mmm
Mmm
Mmm
Mmm

And if it means I'll be waiting for twenty years and twenty more
I'll be praying for redemption and your note underneath my door
And your note underneath my door.

 


 thedirtyvicar wrote:
This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
 

laughing here. what a creative interpretation... though i doubt it's correct it still made me laugh.
 sim wrote:
Krauss & Plant need to sing this.
 
If what thedirtyvicar is saying is true, than this comment is freaking hilarious. 

This is a song about anal sex.  The "note underneath your front door" is a thinly-veiled allusion to menses and use of a pad, and 20 years ago is when it started, so this is a 35 year old woman who is conflicted about satisfying her lover.  There's no reasons, no excuses, she just has to do it, thus the downtempo arrangement and minor key.  But she hopes the relationship will continue into her 50s, 60s, and 70s, even if it means this sort of compromise for whatever reason.
Excellent
Krauss & Plant need to sing this.
They did a "Tiny Desk" concert for NPR and performed this number.  very nice...
https://www.npr.org/2011/06/27/137392548/the-civil-wars-tiny-desk-concert 
Would like to hear more of this album!
I'll just add a couple of comments.

First, I love her voice. Second, I love the photograph on the Album cover. The tension of her turned away from both him and us, the viewer, is captivating to me.

lovely harmony.

in the mean time I'll be waiting
for twenty years, twenty more
I'll be praying for redemption
and your note underneath my door


Good stuff
I like it. . .
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE The Civil Wars!! Just bought their record store day vinyl single release. Their sound is just so easy to digest.