Page type: lyric reference
Artist: The Decemberists
Canonical path: /the-decemberists/when-the-war-came
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
When the War Came
Read When the War Came 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
When the War Came
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.
With all the grain of babylon
To cultivate to make us strong
And hidden here behind the walls
Are shoulders wide and timber on
'Til the war came
'Til the war came
A terrible autonomy
Is grafted onto you and me
A trust put in the government
Is all their lies are heaven sent
'Til the war came
'Til the war came
And the war came with a curse and a caterwaul
And the war came with all the poise of a cannonball
And they're picking out a rise by coal and candlelight
When the war came, the war came hard
We made our huts of avaram
We'd not betray the sole Ledum
The acres of hysterisy
To our own pangs of starvation
When the war came
When the war came
And the war came with a curse and a caterwaul
And the war came with all the poise of a cannonball
And they're picking out a rise by coal and candlelight
When the war came, the war came hard
With all the grain of Babylon
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "When the War Came"?
The Decemberists performs "When the War Came", and this lyric page sits inside the The Decemberists catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "When the War Came"?
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 When the War Came 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.