Collapsing Stars

Collapsing Stars
Album	Dilaudid EP
Released	2005
Artist	the Mountain Goats
Length	2:29
Previous Track	"This Year"
Next Track	"Dilaudid" (Marrtronix version)

Collapsing Stars is the third track from the Dilaudid EP. A demo of the song also appears on Come, Come to the Sunset Tree.

Lyrics

When we hid out behind the risers at the high school
Working bitter calculations with a slide rule
The grim particulars of poisoning the swimming pool
Well, you looked me in the eye
Ready to die

We were becoming what we are
Collapsing stars

When we chewed up pseudoephedrine like bubblegum
'Til our hearts were beating as deep and rich as kettle drums
We knew if we waited long enough the change would come
And then the day did come, and at last
Hold tight
Hold fast

Catch lightning in a jar
Collapsing stars

I told you to load up on provisions
'Cause we wouldn't be back for a while
Load up your troubles in your old kit bag
Turn toward the camera and smile, smile, smile

When we ditched the plan to poison all our enemies
Tucked our weapons in a clearing, and covered them with leaves
We are gonna come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves
One day
And we are on our way

You can look
but you won't find
Another love like ours
collapsing stars

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song

• "Well, I'll tell you what. I'll play Collapsing Stars, which also didn't make the album, which my wife was really bummed about, because, well, it was kinda her favorite of the bunch. Kind of a hard song to play, but I'll see what I can do." - 2005-01-26 - WELH Session - Providence, RI
• "One of the two songs that would have been on The Sunset Tree that involved children's aspirin." -- 2021-09-18 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS

Things Referenced in this Song

• Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. It's known to cause a sense of euphoria, or achieve a high similar to other stimulants like cocaine.
  • The version of this song on Come, Come to the Sunset Tree replaces "pseudoephedrine" with "baby aspirin". In live performances, it has occasionally been replaced with "children's Tylenol".

Live Shows this Song Was Played at

• 2005-01-26 - WELH Session - Providence, RI
• 2008-10-20 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
• 2008-11-03 - Republic - New Orleans, LA
• 2009-03-24 - Pearl Street - Northampton, MA
• 2009-03-26 - Donovan's Pub at Colgate University - Hamilton, NY
• 2009-03-29 - Kenyon College - Gambier, OH
• 2009-04-01 - Portage Theater - Chicago, IL
• 2011-02-15 - University of Washington - Meany Hall - Seattle, WA
• 2012-06-25 - Mission Theater - Portland, OR
• 2012-06-28 - Swedish American Hall - San Francisco, CA
• 2014-04-19 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago, IL
• 2016-02-28 - Noise Pop 2016 - Swedish American Hall - San Francisco, CA
• 2019-09-09 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
• 2021-09-18 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS
• 2021-09-25 - Levon Helm Studios - Woodstock, NY
• 2021-10-14 - Cannery Ballroom - Nashville, TN
• 2023-12-12 - Georgia Theatre - Athens, GA

Videos of this Song

• 2011-02-15 - University of Washington - Meany Hall - Seattle, WA

The Sunset Tree
Track list: "You or Your Memory" • "Broom People" • "This Year" • "Dilaudid" • "Dance Music" • "Dinu Lipatti's Bones" • "Up the Wolves" • "Lion's Teeth" • "Hast Thou Considered the Tetrapod" • "Magpie" • "Song for Dennis Brown" • "Love Love Love" • "Pale Green Things" Come, Come to the Sunset Tree: "Collapsing Stars" • "High Doses #2" • "The Day the Aliens Came (Hawaiian Feeling)"