
(Instrumental)
--------------------------------
Part II: The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone) [3:05]
My true love went riding out in white and green and gray
Past the pale of Offa's wall where she was wont to stray
And there she came upon a white and wounded fawn
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
She, being full of charity, a credit to her sex
Sought to right the fawn's hind legs when here her plans were vexed
The taiga shifted strange, the beast began to change
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
You'll learn soon enough the prettiest whistles won't wrestle the thistles undone, undone
Fifteen lithesome maidens lay alone in their bower
Fourteen occupations paid to pass the idle hour
But Margaret heaves a sigh, her hands clasped to her thigh
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
Singing, "Oh, the hazards of love"
You'll learn soon enough the prettiest whistles won't wrestle the thistles undone, undone
Undone, undone, undone
--------------------------------
Part III: A Bower Scene [7:24]
Thou inconsolable daughter
Said the sister
When wilt thou trouble the water
In the cistern
And what irascible black Bart
Is the father
And when young Margarete's waistline
Grew wider
The fruit of her amorous centaur
Inside her
And so our heroine withdraws
To the taiga
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Part IV: Won't Want for Love (Margaret In the Taiga) [9:33]
Gentle leaves, gentle leaves
Please array a path for me
The woods are blowing thick and fast around
Columbine, Columbine
Please alert this love of mine
Let him know his Margaret comes along
And all this stirring inside my belly
Won't quell my want for love
And I may swoon from all this swelling
But I won't want for love
Mistlethrush, Mistlethrush
Lay me down in the underbrush
My naked feet grow weary with the dusk
Willow boughs, Willow boughs
Make a bed to lay me down
Let your branches bow to cradle us
And all this stirring inside my belly
Won't quell my want for love
And I may swoon from all this swelling
But I won't want for love
--------------------------------
Part V: The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All) [13:40]
And here I am softer than a shower
And here I am to garland you with flowers
To lay you down in clover bed
The stars, a roof above our heads
And all my life I never felt the tremor
And all my life that now disturbs my fingers
I'll lay you down in clover bed
The stars, a roof above our heads
And we'll lie 'til the corncrake crows
Bereft the weight of our summer clothes
And I'd wager all, the hazards of love, the hazards of love
And take my hand and cradle it in your hand
And take my hand to feel the pull, the quicksand
I'll lay you down in clover bed
The stars, a roof above our heads
And we'll lie till the corncrake crows
Bereft the weight of our summer clothes
And I'd wager all, the hazards of love, the hazards of love
The hazards of love, the hazards of love
--------------------------------
Part VI: The Queen's Approach [18:06]
(Instrumental)

The Decemberists are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2000. The band consists of Colin Meloy (lead vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (piano, keyboards, accordion, backing vocals), Nate Query (bass), and John Moen (drums).
The band has released eight studio albums, to date, with their lyrics often focusing on historical incidents and folklore. Audience participation is a part of their live performances, typically during encores. The band stages whimsical reenactments of sea battles and other centuries-old events, typically of regional interest, or acts out songs with members of the crowd.
In 2011, the track "Down by the Water" from their album, The King Is Dead, was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 54th Grammy Awards.