The Decemberists: Rox in the Box Meaning

Rox in the Box Lyrics

If the rocks in the box
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,...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Feb 17th 2011 !⃝

   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.
2. anonymous

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   Jun 7th 2012 !⃝

   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.
3. anonymous

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   May 13th 2012 !⃝

   Guys, this song is dedicated to the disaster happenend at Speculator Mine in 1917: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculator_Mine_disaster
4. anonymous

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   Dec 3rd 2011 !⃝

   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.
5. anonymous

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   Aug 31st 2011 !⃝

   I think this song is about one's life philosophy or choices using a gold miner's analogy. Since there is already an interpretation on mining gold, I will write the interpretation on life's philosophy.
   
   (Get the rocks in the box
   Get the water right down to your socks
   This bulkhead's built of fallen brethren bones)
   
   Someone, presumably the foreman / boss / owner wants the worker (miner) to work hard.
   
   Rocks - refers to the fruits of the worker's labour, which could be sales, company product, services etc.
   
   The cart - represents a place where the revenue (gold ore) is collected before profit and loss is calculated and thus payment (refined).
   
   It is assumed that the worker (miner) is supposed to get his fair share after the year end closing of accounts (gold is refined). However, would the foreman / boss / owner cheat him?
   
   (We all do what we can
   We endure our fellow man
   And we sing our songs to the headframes' creaks and moans)
   
   Each worker works hard in the pursuit of the reward (gold).
   Each worker puts up with (endures) the problems that arises from interacting with other workers.
   
   (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)
   
   This part talks about crossing the line (the supposed safe zone in the mining analogy) in the pursuit of gold.
   Crossing the line could mean that the worker, blinded by the pursuit of gold, is working at the expense of their morals, health, family, and other important things.
   
   (And you won't make a dime
   On this gray Granite Mountain Mine
   Of dirt you're made and to dirt you will return)
   
   The reality is that the life (mine) is a "Granite Mountain Mine". You can't bring anything with you. "Of dirt you're made and to dirt you will return".
   
   (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)
   
   So while you are still alive, don't be so caught up in this pursuit of gold. Why die before your time, in the pursuit of gold?

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
6. MLEBEAN

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   Aug 19th 2011 !⃝

   I like The mine idea. When I first heard though I thought of slavery.
   
   (And we sing our songs to the headframe's creaks and moans)
   
   They sing there song as people moan from pain.
   
   My idea of it probably isn't correct, that's how it first seemed though.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway

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