All the wild horses
All the wild horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
May no man's touch ever tame
May no man's reigns ever chain you
And may no man's weight ever defrayed your soul
And as for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away
As for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away



Lyrics submitted by Jillian04

Track duration: 03:16

"All the Wild Horses" as written by Ray Lamontagne

Lyrics © CHRYSALIS MUSIC GROUP

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All the Wild Horses song meanings
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22 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is just generally about Women in general
    Flag think0fmeon April 11, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Just got into this guy; this album has been on repeat for days.

    To me this song is about acceptance and embracement.

    Not all horses are meant to be tamed..
    Some things are just simply beautiful and are meant to remain untouched.

    I love the equivocality of the horses and clouds; from the beauty found in nature to the beauty of a child's innocence..
    Flag Nyrngron November 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Eveything is this universe is free. This song is suggesting how man has taken animals and deprived them of their right of being wild. Man has 'tethered' animals. The imagery of 'defrayed your soul' suggests the emotional effect of man interfering with nature. Animals are wild and humans have no right to take away their freedom.

    He ends the song with 'As for the clouds, just let them roll away'.

    This is saying everthing takes care of itself. Their is no need to do anything, just let things be. The clouds roll away on their own and likewise animals would take care of themselves also.

    Hopefully someday we will be able to live in harmony with all living creatures and all being will be rightfully free.
    Flag strawberrysunshineon May 21, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:I love this song. The imagery is just beautiful. I do wonder if the lyrics are right though on "May no man's reigns ever chain you". Shouldn't it be 'reins' instead or 'reigns' since they are literally (but maybe not figuratively) talking about a piece of horse tack.
    Flag flyingcrazyon December 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think these comments prove this seemingly simple song operates on a lot of levels.
    The music itself is achingly elegiac - something is being lost - which supports both the literal idea of wild horses gone from the land and also the metaphorical one of a spirit or emotions that do not want to be tamed. I think it applies equally well to men or women who are under pressure to sublimate their feelings - I can certainly empathize.
    There's also an element of resignation in letting the clouds rolling away - don't hold on; let it be; this too shall pass - that suggests either letting go of dark feelings or accepting the fact that these things can't be changed.
    Flag willy61on September 02, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Strange story about this song.
    I was sleeping, and in my dream, this song was playing. Of course I'd heard it before.. but it fit so well with the dream. I couldn't believe it. It turns out, it had been playing on my iPod, and I'd woken up mid song.
    Recently, I've been going through a tough time in my relationship with someone. Mainly due to me "changing" myself for him. Or letting him change me, which presents a set of entirely different problems. But today.. was really the climax of our discussion about this. And throughout, I've been playing this song. Over and over. It's been stuck in my head since my dream. So here I am, bawling my eyes out, trying to grasp the meaning of this song.
    Could you believe how incredibly accurate this song seems, and how it came to me in a dream?

    Creepy.
    Flag AbbeyScotton November 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm pretty sure "defray your soul" = "lay freight to your soul". That's what it sounds like he is saying and it makes a lot more sense.
    Flag tuc14525on October 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song has always been about freeing yourself from societies reigns to me. The tears in the eyes of the horses come from being tethered or held from really expressing oneself. It says that you should never let someones expectations ever tame your identity anand that you must continue to live for you and not for others. As for the clouds, the setbacks, just let them pass you by, because you can't ever concentrate on the things that keep you from living.
    Flag lhw17on March 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the song is mainly about coping with any tragic event in your life and learning how to move on. I also see how some can interpret it as a relationship song. Especially the lyrics "May no man's touch ever tame... May no man's reigns ever chain you...And may no man's weight ever defray your soul." However, I don't think it is literally about a man holding you back or being controlling. I think anyone can create their own story behind any song.

    And as for the clouds
    Just let them roll
    Roll away, roll away<---this can be referring to learning to let go and accept what has happened. We cannot turn back time....we are only human.
    Flag suzy2211on November 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I fully agree with bartimaeus. Call me crazy, but whenever I hear this song, i keep thinking of The Silver Brumby. :S
    Flag charizzzleon March 08, 2008   Link

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