Page type: lyric reference
Artist: The Decemberists
Canonical path: /the-decemberists/odalisque
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Odalisque
Read Odalisque lyrics by The Decemberists on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Odalisque
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
they've come to find you odalisque
as the light dies horribly
on a fire escape you walk
all rare and resolved to drop
and when they find you odalisque
they will rend you terribly
stitch from stitch til all
your linen and limbs will fall
lazy lady had a baby girl
and a sweet sound it made
raised on pradies, peanut shells and dirt
in the railroad culdesac
and what do we with 10 baby shoes
a kit bag full of marbles
and a broken billiard cue? what do we do?
what do we do?
fifteen stitches will mend those britches right
and then rip them down again
sapling switches will rend those rags alright
what a sweet sound it makes
and what do we do with 10 dirty jews
a thirty-ought full of rock salt
and a warm afternoon? what do we do?
what do we do?
lay your belly under mine
you're naked under me, under me
such a filthy dimming shine
the way you kick and scream, kick and scream
and what do we do with ten baby shoes
a kit bag full of marbles
and a broken billiard cue? what do we do?
what do we do?
lazy lady had a baby girl, and a sweet sound it made
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Odalisque"?
The Decemberists performs "Odalisque", and this lyric page sits inside the The Decemberists catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Odalisque"?
Yes. The related section below points to A Bower Scene and Like A Lion with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by The Decemberists?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through The Decemberists's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Odalisque yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.