Fires That Fade on the Horizon | The Engine Driver | The Decemberists

The Decemberists' song "The Engine Driver" is a hauntingly beautiful tale of love, loss, and nostalgia. The song's protagonist is a train driver who becomes enamored with a young woman on his route, but their fleeting romance is doomed from the start.

As the lyrics unfold, we learn that the engine driver's love interest is a free spirit, always moving from place to place, never staying in one spot for too long. The engine driver himself is stuck in a routine, driving his train along the same tracks day after day. Despite this, he finds himself captivated by the woman's carefree nature and decides to take a chance on love.

The song's chorus, "She had a way with her eyes / Like a burning fire," captures the intensity of their brief romance. The engine driver is smitten, but his love is ultimately destined to fail due to the woman's nomadic lifestyle. As the song progresses, the tone shifts from tender and hopeful to melancholic and resigned.

The Decemberists' lead vocalist, Colin Meloy, has said that "The Engine Driver" was inspired by a dream he had about a train driver who fell in love with a woman on his route. The song's lyrics are imbued with a sense of longing and wistfulness, as the engine driver comes to terms with the impermanence of their relationship.

Through "The Engine Driver," The Decemberists evoke a bittersweet nostalgia for lost loves and fleeting moments of connection. The song's soaring chorus and poignant storytelling have made it a fan favorite, and its themes continue to resonate with listeners to this day.