The Decemberists Cover

i hit up the Red & the Black last Friday night to see a bill of solo acts… basically a collection of frontmen for four DC bands got together to croon some tunes (Tut Tut, Tereu Tereu, The Beanstalk Library and Meredith Bragg). and croon some tunes they did! call me biased, but the highlight of the night was a duet by Ryan Beanstalk & Suzi Clov…they did a tear-jerking rendition of The Decemberists’ “I was Meant for the Stage.” take a listen: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVqcZtq9qhw]

the lyrics are sad but beautiful. i inadvertently learned them after hearing Suzi sing it 48 gazillion times around the house last week…

I was meant for the stage,
I was meant for the curtain.
I was meant to tread these boards,
Of this much I am certain.

I was meant for the crowd,
I was meant for the shouting.
I was meant to raise these hands
With quiet all about me.
Oh, Oh.

Mother, please be proud.
Father, be forgiving.
Even though you told me
‘Son, you’ll never make a living.’
Oh, oh.

From the floorboards to the flys,
Here I was fated to reside.
And as I take my final bow,
Was there ever any doubt?
And as the spotlights fade away,
And you’re escorted through the foyer,
You will resume your callow ways,
But I was meant for the stage.

The heavens at my birth
Intended me for stardom,
Rays of light shone down on me
And all my sins were pardoned.

I was meant for applause.
I was meant for derision.
Nothing short of fate itself
Has affected my decision.
Oh, oh.

And from the floorboards to the flys,
Here I was fated to reside.
And as I take my final bow,
Was there ever any doubt?
And as the spotlights fade away,
And you’re escorted through the foyer,
You will resume your callow ways,
But I was meant for the stage.