Songs about writing: The Decemberists – Engine Driver

Several weeks ago I took a new job that has left me run ragged from the pace but has also allowed me to pay my bills so fair trade. Due to that I felt like I haven’t touched anything remotely connected to writing, which always leaves me anxious. So now, waking from an unplanned nap at 2:30 pm, I can finally start feeling my way back into all things writing and couldn’t be happier.

A little while ago my girlfriend said she had a song to play me and sat me down while I listened to The Decemberists‘ Engine Driver from their 2005 release Picaresque. They’re a band that people have told me to listen to for years and I like what I’ve heard but for whatever reason never fully got into them. But as I sat listening it became clear why she played it for me when I heard the following lines:

I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
And I’ve written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones

And so it is that I find myself here, finally able to add another song to the Songs About Writing series. Yea! Check out the video and full lyrics below. If you’ve got any suggestions for songs about writing, please leave them in the comments below. Thanks!

I’m an engine driver
On a long run, on a long run
Would I work beside her
She’s a long one, such a long one

And if you don’t love me let me go
And if you don’t love me let me go

I’m a country lineman
On a high line, on a high line
So will be my grandson
There are powerlines in our bloodlines

And if you don’t love me let me go
And if you don’t love me let me go

And I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
And I’ve written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
My bones
My bones

I’m a money lender
I have fortunes upon fortunes
Take my hand for tender
I am tortured, ever tortured

And if you don’t love me let me go
And if you don’t love me let me go

And I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
And I’ve written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
I am a writer, I am all that you have home
Home
And I’ve written pages upon pages
Trying to rid you from my bones
My bones
My bones

(And if you don’t love me let me go)
And if you don’t love me let me go
(And if you don’t love me let me go)
And if you don’t love me let me go