Considering the Decemberists' penchant for historical references, I'd say it's a fair bet that the song is about the Granite Mountain Mine disaster--it's even mentioned in the song...
In the disaster, 160+ men died from a fire, most from smoke inhalation, which fits with the lyric "on the wrong side of the lee" (lee probably refers to the leeward side, sheltered from the wind/smoke). I'm not sure about the "shuffle back in line" but the "plenty of men to die" also seems to point to the Granite Mountain Mine disaster.
I think "You gave your shuffle back in line" is a command, rolling with the mid-disaster theme. I think it means you used up all your walking waiting in line for breakfast, now you need to run.
I think "You gave your shuffle back in line" is a command, rolling with the mid-disaster theme. I think it means you used up all your walking waiting in line for breakfast, now you need to run.
Considering the Decemberists' penchant for historical references, I'd say it's a fair bet that the song is about the Granite Mountain Mine disaster--it's even mentioned in the song...
In the disaster, 160+ men died from a fire, most from smoke inhalation, which fits with the lyric "on the wrong side of the lee" (lee probably refers to the leeward side, sheltered from the wind/smoke). I'm not sure about the "shuffle back in line" but the "plenty of men to die" also seems to point to the Granite Mountain Mine disaster.
I think "You gave your shuffle back in line" is a command, rolling with the mid-disaster theme. I think it means you used up all your walking waiting in line for breakfast, now you need to run.
I think "You gave your shuffle back in line" is a command, rolling with the mid-disaster theme. I think it means you used up all your walking waiting in line for breakfast, now you need to run.