The Decemberists: Rox in the Box Meaning
Rox in the Box Lyrics
Get the water right down to your socks
This bulkhead's built of fallen brother and bones
We all do what we can
We endure our fellow man
And we sing our songs to the headframe's creaks and moans
And it's one, two,...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:I interpret this song as a lecture from a crusty old senior miner to a new recruit.
(Get the rocks in the box
Get the water right down to your socks
This bulkhead's built of fallen brethren bones)
You've got one, job mine the rocks and get them into the mine cart. This mine was built by the ones who came before you, many of them died while doing it. Mines are often damp and wet with coffer damns and pumps designed to keep the water from filling the mine.
(We all do what we can
We endure our fellow man
And we sing our songs to the headframes' creaks and moans)
Each miner does what he must to get the job done. Puts up with fellow miners an sings mining songs while working down deep in the earth with only a wooden beam keeping the mountain from falling down on them.
(And it's one two three
On the wrong side of the lee
What were you meant for?
What were you meant for?
And it's seven eight nine
You get your shuffle back in line
And if you ever make it to ten you won't make it again)
I think this refrain is a reference to blasting new mine shafts. The lee is the "safe" zone where you won't get blown up. 1,2,3 . . . you're in the danger zone. Get your cart back on track and get out. If you're outside the lee on 10 you're going to get blown up.
(And you won't make a dime
On this gray Granite Mountain Mine
Of dirt you're made and to dirt you will return)
This is a life of toil. You're not going to make your fortune here. You'll work and die.
(So while we're living here
Let's get this little one thing clear
There's plenty of men to die; you don't jump your turn)
Pay attention or you're going to end up dead from your own carelessness. The mine will claim men soon enough. -
This song is about the the mine disaster that happened in Butte, MT, in 1917. Those trapped inside tried to built bulkheads to survive. Those outside tried to put the fire out with water which created steam that burned those who were trying to escape. It is still considered one of the largest mine catastrophes with 168 deaths. Ironically, mining dirt and to dirt they returned.
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Guys, this song is dedicated to the disaster happenend at Speculator Mine in 1917: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculator_Mine_disaster
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I believe that the song is a straight forward work song from one of the roughest and toughest towns in America; Butte Montana.
The "This bulkhead's built of fallen brethren bones" I believe refers to the largest hard-rock mining disaster in US history - the Speculator and Granite Mountain fires of June 18, 1917 in Butte, MT.
My insights come from the fact that my Great Grandfather died in that disaster and that I was born and raised in a pro Miner's Union family in Butte. -
This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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