Released: April 9, 1984

Songwriter: Michael Stipe Mike Mills (R.E.M.) Bill Berry Peter Buck

Producer: Mitch Easter Don Dixon

[Verse 1]
I can't see myself at thirty
I don't buy a lacquered thirty
Caught like flies, preserved for tomorrow's jewelry, again
Lighted in the amber yard
A green shellback, green shellback
Preserved for tomorrow's eyes, in a tree beer tar-black br'er sap

[Chorus]
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consul, a horse, Jefferson, I think we're lost

[Verse 2]
Who will tend the farm museums?
Who will dust today's belongings?
Who will sweep the floor, hedging near the givens?
Rally 'round your leaders
It's the mediator season
Diane is on the beach, do you realize the life she's led?

[Chorus]
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consul, a horse, oh man, I think we're lost

[Bridge]
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
A matter, of course, Jefferson, drive it (turn around!)

[Verse 3]
Lighted in the amber yard
A green shellback, green shellback
Skylight, sty-tied, Nero pie-tied, in a tree tar-black br'er sap
Reason has harnessed the tame, a lodging, not stockader's game
Another Greenville, another Magic Mart
Jeffers, grab your fiddle

[Chorus]
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consul, a horse, Jefferson, I think we're lost
The biggest wagon is the empty wagon is the noisiest
The consul, a horse, Jefferson, I think we're lost
Lost

R.E.M.

R.E.M. were an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

Berry quit the band in April 1997, as they were getting together to record demos for the album Up. He was not replaced on a permanent basis, but the band used an assortment of drummers in his place.