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Barn raisings have been a part of American culture since the colonization of the late 18th century. A living example of “It takes a village,” constructing a barn wasn’t something that just one man or one family could execute on their own. The cost of labor and materials needed to build a structure of such size and magnitude required the help of a community. You received help with your barn and then paid it forward for the next man. A rather ordinary feat made remarkable by the organization and efficiency with which it was completed, without the assistance of modern machinery. The tradition still continues with the additional power of hydraulics, but that original process is something we must marvel at.

The barn raising was a whole community event. Men working in the high sun were supported by their wives and children at what was commonly referred to as a “bee.” Women would commonly prepare the food and drink and work on traditional activities like quilting. 

Which brings us to “Yarmouth Road.” The story of a man who builds a home and the unrequited love of that home by the woman to whom he sings. The protagonist is seemingly quite dejected that the apple of his eye never comes to live in the home he’s so lovingly crafted, despite the fact that he has filled the home with all of this person’s favorite things – they have since disappeared, never to see the finished home. He makes dinner for two in the hopes that she will someday return, but the car seemingly never arrives, and he is left to do nothing but continue to work and convince her to one day come and join him.

The reggae styled song penned by Mike and Scott Murawski, initially played by Phish, was recorded for Mike’s 2014 album Overstep. The album version, produced by Paul Q. Kolderie is most identifiable through its bent notes heightened with use of a Banshee pedals and its heavy beat. But in typical Mike fashion, the lyrics and vocals are odd, to say the least, ultimately proving to be the true shining point in this expertly crafted song. 

Though the discernible difficulty in both the guitar part and the vocals left some early versions  a bit rough, after making its debut at SPAC on 7/5/13, by the end of summer 2013 the song was well rehearsed and tight. The version from 8/31/13 at Dick’s in Colorado is highlighted by a pretty solo from Trey.

On January 14, 2014, the full album track was released via RollingStone.com.

Watch Yarmouth Road on YouTube "Yarmouth Road" – 7/13/13, Columbia, MD

(Gordon/Murawski)

I dig a deep hole, bees buzzing all around
But I know you’ll be happy
That I’m pouring concrete in the ground

Hoist up posts and beams erratically
Garden plot’s beautiful, Painter gets at it
But I guess I should have checked with you somehow

Thought I could get you to come to Yarmouth Road
Hang with the bees and buzz in the honeycomb
All I ever wanted you to do was to come on home
Hang with the bees and buzz in the honeycomb

I filled up the shelves with funny books to laugh to
Lazy susan has some of the mocha rings that you love
Registered our names so they’ll know where to bring us our mail

Couldn’t find flat wax for all the mahogany
Didn’t we see some walking through a trade show
Does any of this even start to ring a bell

Thought I could get you to come to Yarmouth Road
Hang with the bees and buzz in the honeycomb
All I ever wanted you to do was to come on home
Hang with the bees and buzz in the honeycomb, when we need to roam

Blind faith stings hastily
My faith brings me, right to the flower shop
I’d like that bouquet please, wrap some of those extra green things around the stems
A little card to write on if you have them

Candles are lit all the red napkins folded
Pecan pie wafting fumes from the oven
Turned off all the ringers on the phones

Look out the window see headlights passing by
Maybe I don’t see you and I don’t really know why
Don’t make me feel like a guest in our own home