Hast Thou Considered the Tetrapod - The Mountain Goats

[ShouldBeKorean]

Great song 

[MamaKRamsey]

All Hail West Texas Is My Heart, And The Sunset Tree Is My Soul.

[jeffocdg]

I FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE TITLE!!! it all makes sense

[takeshitapart]

@jeffocdg How so? I don't get it. I understand that this album is about his abusive stepfather, but what's with the title of the song? And while i'm on the topic, do you have any idea about the title of the album?

[jeffocdg]

@takeshitapart tetrapod is a fancy way of saying four legged thing. or if you will a beast. he's afraid of this beast/stepfather hope that clears things up!

[takeshitapart]

@jeffocdg Oh, I understand it now! Thank's a lot. :)

[evilstormgnat]

@jeffocdg That's a funny thing, actually; in this album he refers to both himself and his stepfather as beasts ("I am a wild creature", Up the Wolves vs "the lion roars", Magpie) but in this song I'm dead certain that he's calling himself the tetrapod. The term tetrapod often refers to early vertebrates; he's saying that once he gets out, he's going to evolve like the tetrapods did ("I am gonna wriggle up on dry land") and become something new, become his own person.

[takeshitapart]

@evilstormgnat Ohh and hast thou considered (Have you considered) the tetrapod like has his stepfather and the people around him considered john's life, feelings and what's best for him? And does his stepfather consider the fact that he will break free of his stepfather's wraith? And that john is a god person who deserved to be treated fairly.

[jeffocdg]

@evilstormgnat wow! that's a complete different take, i see how it could work though. like he is learning to walk on his own TWO feet? haha

[evilstormgnat]

@takeshitapart

COME to the sunset tree! The day is past and gone;

The woodman’s axe lies free, And the reaper’s work is done.

bartleby.com/270/7/148.html

I think it means his struggle (childhood) is over, and he can rest easy now.

[takeshitapart]

@evilstormgnat OMG THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE! Thank's a lot.

[MontezumaIII]

My favorite album from my favorite band.

[robotrowan]

I love this song.

[infradig8]

about an abusive stepfather

[GoldenSlutPuppy]

Very good

[APointToProve]

I thank life everyday because of music like this.

[ncherry713]

This song moved me to tears. Musical and lyrical genius.

[JDBlessin]

The Sunset Tree is the most relatable album for me, and my favorite.

[nataliepierzga]

John Darnielle is such a fantastic person.

[Ziggy101Stardust]

''And alone in my room, i am the last of a lasr civilization'' just epic

[Tyberiusthemighty]

@Ziggy101Stardust It WOULD be more epic if it was a laser civilization. :P

[andyjunction]

Desperately hopeful.