To the outside the dead leaves, they’re on the lawn/
Before they died, had trees to hang their hope.

“The Funeral” is the second song of Band of Horses where the stripped-down acoustic version is better than the regular record.  Also check out “No One’s Gonna Love You“.

The melody and instrumentation for Band of Horses “The Funeral” is so good that it overcomes its lackluster lyrics. I am all for obfuscating lyrics to some extent but most of the time it just sounds like poor writing. For a good example of obfuscating lyrics look at “I am the Walrus” by The Beatles or “Visions of Johanna” by Dylan.

Despite the complaints the song is still great. The vocals are outstanding. The piano and guitar mix sound perfect together and the sound quality of the live performance is top notch. The vocal variety throughout the song is also unique and adds flavor to the song.

The Funeral Lyrics

I’m coming up only to hold you under
I’m coming up only to show you wrong
And to know you is hard, we wonder
To know you, all wrong we were

Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh

Really too late to call, so
We wait for
Morning to wake you, that’s all we got
To know me as hardly golden
Is to know me all wrong, they were

At every occasion, I’ll be ready for the funeral
Every occasion, once more, it’s called the funeral
Every occasion, know I’m ready for the funeral
Every occasion, oh, one billion-day funeral

I’m coming up only to show you down, for
I’m coming up only to show you wrong.

To the outside the dead leaves, they’re on the lawn
Before they died, had trees to hang their hope.

Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
At every occasion, I’ll be ready for the funeral
Every occasion, once more, it’s called the funeral
Every occasion, know I’m ready for the funeral
Every occasion, oh, one billion-day funeral

Songwriters: Benjamin Bridwell / Timothy Ian Meinig / Christopher Early