Three Sheets to Kishkiyya · Track 94 · middle
Tømmermænd
VOLUME IV — the HUNGOVER morning after. The idiom and the song's title hook: "Tømmermænd". Its true history: Denmark — 'carpenters in the forehead' hammering; the seismic, pounding head. Render this beat of the night as the band's affectionate, funny, celebratory tribute — the idiom itself is the chorus hook.
Lyrics
[Intro] [Verse 1] I am a mountain resting on the mattress, The sheets are a glacier pulled across my chin. Over in the ancient books of Denmark, They know exactly how the trades begin. I hear them opening the wooden boxes, Setting up the ladders just behind the eyes. They are framing out the heavy forehead, Taking the giant by surprise. [Chorus] Oh, the tømmermænd, The carpenters are here. Driving iron spikes above the ear. They are building a monument to yesterday's delight, Hammering the rafters in the blinding white. Tømmermænd, pounding on the bone, Making this massive skull their home. [Verse 2] Every slow pulse is a swinging mallet, Echoing across the cavern of my head. Such dedicated craftsmen in the shadows, Working while I try to catch my breath. I carry the weight of all their architecture, A tribute to every golden glass we drank. I would ask the foreman for a pardon, But I have my own wild joy to thank. [Chorus] Oh, the tømmermænd, The carpenters are here. Driving iron spikes above the ear. They are building a monument to yesterday's delight, Hammering the rafters in the blinding white. Tømmermænd, pounding on the bone, Making this massive skull their home. [Bridge] Swing the hammer, hoist the heavy wood, The body is a temple that barely stood. They measure twice and strike the anvil deep, Guarding the ruins where I try to breathe. [Outro] Let them build. Let the Danish guild complete their mighty task. I loved the roaring evening, So I suffer in the morning draft. The tømmermænd are laying down the floorboards... And I just watch the dust fall.