Mansard Roof Lyrics
I see a mansard roof through the trees
I see a salty message written in the eaves
The ground beneath my feet, the hot garbage and concrete
And now the tops of buildings, I can see them too
[Verse 1]
I see a mansard roof through the trees
I see a salty message written in the eaves
The ground beneath my feet, the hot garbage and concrete
And now the tops of buildings, I can see them too
[Verse 2]
The Argentines collapse in defeat
The admiralty surveys the remnants of the fleet
The ground beneath their feet is a nautically mapped sheet
As thin as paper while it slips away from view
About
“Mansard Roof” was the first single ever released by Vampire Weekend, and as the opening track, sets the tone for the entire album.
A mansard roof is a type of roof typically found in the region of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, which goes with the Ivy League image the band has cultivated. Ironically (but intentionally), this track’s lyrical content is in fact critical of elitism and imperialism.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
I remember that the A section of this song – the vocal song – I wrote in my head which I wish happened more often ‘cause it’s the easiest way to write. But it popped into my head when I was at my teacher training, which is at St Johns University in Queens, when I was training to become a teacher which was my first job after college. So I just remember this melody popping into my head… that’s kinda how it started.
–Ezra Koenig for Radio X
