John Darnielle asks us to consider the lives of ancient mankind in their own context in “Sourdoire Valley Song.”

Track: “Sourdoire Valley Song”
Album: All Eternals Deck (2011)

In the vein of “Tollund Man”, “Sourdoire Valley Song” makes us consider our elders. The titular valley is in France, where a 60,000-year-old neanderthal skeleton was discovered in 1908. Many people picture the discovery, but John Darnielle considers the life that man must have lived.

The opening verse talks about what we all know. “The Old Man” as he’s generally known sharpens new tools from old rocks and hunts game for the first time in history. He’s pleased with his tools and his process. He’s got the world on a string.

But the chorus complicates his simple life. The grass grows after he’s gone and covers his things and his existence. He’ll be hidden for thousands of years, though his ability to consider that is likely limited. He’s certainly unaware of the Olduvai Gorge in Africa, a more significant and much older site with remains of ancient humanity.

Both sets of ancient man led life as best they could. Darnielle doesn’t focus on the sad realities of life in “Sourdoire Valley Song.” Of course they will be forgotten for thousands (or millions, in Olduvai Gorge) of years, but for now they have remedies for sickness and they lead happy lives. They even have roots you chew for “atmosphere” which conjures some great images.

Towards the end of the song, Darnielle mentions that his ancient characters want to “live a long life.” They seem to believe this is possible with luck, which brings up something I’ve never considered. “Longevity” is relative. “The Old Man” died at 40, but who is to say that was a short life 60,000 years ago? Context is everything.