I agree with what most people are saying, except the relationship aspect (guy/girl). I feel like the whole essence of this song goes far beyond the pain/joy of being with someone else. It's a song about self discovery in ways that transcend the actual concept of self.
I definitely think the whole song is an overall reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave.
"It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind
The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat"
This is his view of fellow "cave dwellers". He sees and understands the pain that they are enduring, but he ends this verse/sings the chorus to show that the difference isn't in people's situations, but in their view and response to them.
"Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears."
It is in the second verse that he, in a way, becomes fed up with feeling sorry for himself and takes a step towards perspective. And although this song, overall, has very strong Christian, Biblical undertones, this verse is probably the most profound. There is a spiritual determination here. "Now let me at the truth which will refresh my broken mind."
The second part of the second verse is my absolute favourite lyric. I am a huge fan of The Odyssey, his allusion is perfect for this song. Again, it calls to mind a sense of urgency, especially when bonded to it's unmistakable Biblical reference. He's so determined to see beyond himself and his "negative situation" to see the hurt and need in the world that is represented by the ones who have lost loved ones (widows and orphans).
This is so significant because in Hebraic culture, the widow and the orphan represent the lowest of the low as far as social status goes. They represent the ones who are in the utmost need. The ones who have life's noose around their necks, if you will.
"So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say
Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be"
This song comes full circle by him being so compassionate, that he invites those in the "negative situations" to join his point of view (upside down - I Corinthians 1:25), and see that there are others who have less than they. But even though he is compassionate, he will not be dragged down by their complaints and their ideas of what is fair and what is unfair.
Until this point, I have neglected to mention one the most key aspect of this song. In the chorus, he says, I'll know my name as it's called again. Although it can mean many things, I think that it goes along perfectly with the rest the clear Christian theme of this song.
All throughout the Bible, when people would be called to higher purpose, out of their former situations, many times God would change their names as their lives and characters would also change. So his name would be called again as he changed his ways.
Overall, no matter how you interpret this song, it is amazing. It is encouraging. It is just beautiful. Mumford & Sons is an amazing group of musicians.
Awesome that you could relate so well to a marvelous piece of music. Think it is great how people can relate to the songs in different ways without putting to much thought in it. I, on hte other hand, love to analyze and find out what my deepest thoughts can draw out a beautifully lyrical piece. I like to test my intelligence a bit. I think it is nice that people still see love in this world, eventhough love has run aground on a massive island called sexual liberalism.
Awesome that you could relate so well to a marvelous piece of music. Think it is great how people can relate to the songs in different ways without putting to much thought in it. I, on hte other hand, love to analyze and find out what my deepest thoughts can draw out a beautifully lyrical piece. I like to test my intelligence a bit. I think it is nice that people still see love in this world, eventhough love has run aground on a massive island called sexual liberalism.
Don't know why I'm writing this here, just felt like it.
Not all songs that involve the idea of love have to be about relationships. For a song with this much depth and intensity, I think it sullies the concept to apply it to a simple relationship between two people. To me, it seems obvious that the idea of this song transcends that.
Not all songs that involve the idea of love have to be about relationships. For a song with this much depth and intensity, I think it sullies the concept to apply it to a simple relationship between two people. To me, it seems obvious that the idea of this song transcends that.
The song is firstly, wonderful. Secondly, it is taken nearly directly from Chapter V of GK Chesterton's biography of St. Francis of Assisi, about Francis' conversion to being radically Catholic. Marcus Mumford has a book club and says he has read Chesterton-a prominent Catholic theologian, philosopher, journalist, poet. It clearly has a Christian and Catholic undertone, no point in arguing that. I am glad Christians and non-Christians alike enjoy the song. Truth attracts by its own splendor.
The song is firstly, wonderful. Secondly, it is taken nearly directly from Chapter V of GK Chesterton's biography of St. Francis of Assisi, about Francis' conversion to being radically Catholic. Marcus Mumford has a book club and says he has read Chesterton-a prominent Catholic theologian, philosopher, journalist, poet. It clearly has a Christian and Catholic undertone, no point in arguing that. I am glad Christians and non-Christians alike enjoy the song. Truth attracts by its own splendor.
A wonderful analysis! I love Odysseus and Plato and God - so I ate this song right up! These boys are deep. I think of Steely Dan's song "Home at Last" which says "Still I remain tied to the mast." I think the sirens are the world's woes and he is saying I could drown in the sorrow of the world, but I need to get to the bottom of WHAT I'M HERE TO DO FOR GOD, and it might not be what everyone else THINKS he should do. In order to be effective, we have to meditate, pray and...
A wonderful analysis! I love Odysseus and Plato and God - so I ate this song right up! These boys are deep. I think of Steely Dan's song "Home at Last" which says "Still I remain tied to the mast." I think the sirens are the world's woes and he is saying I could drown in the sorrow of the world, but I need to get to the bottom of WHAT I'M HERE TO DO FOR GOD, and it might not be what everyone else THINKS he should do. In order to be effective, we have to meditate, pray and find out what we're here to do, otherwise we flail and drown to the siren's calls (we either self-medicate with drugs and booze or become terrorists - forgetting that LOVING those around us and finding our own calling is the best way to do God's Will). But I think he is also saying that he won't abandon any of his brothers - the noose around your neck. He will love them unconditionally and be there for them, but not be sucked in to their dramas that don't aid his own purpose that God is giving him. Which in this case? To write great songs!!! Keep it up Mumford and Sons - I think you've found your purpose!
This is a well thought out analysis and I wholeheartedly agree. The lyrics were created with care and thought and so it is refreshing to see that they have found their mark in some of their audience.
This is a well thought out analysis and I wholeheartedly agree. The lyrics were created with care and thought and so it is refreshing to see that they have found their mark in some of their audience.
I agree with what most people are saying, except the relationship aspect (guy/girl). I feel like the whole essence of this song goes far beyond the pain/joy of being with someone else. It's a song about self discovery in ways that transcend the actual concept of self. I definitely think the whole song is an overall reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. "It's empty in the valley of your heart The sun, it rises slowly as you walk Away from all the fears And all the faults you've left behind
The harvest left no food for you to eat You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see But I have seen the same I know the shame in your defeat" This is his view of fellow "cave dwellers". He sees and understands the pain that they are enduring, but he ends this verse/sings the chorus to show that the difference isn't in people's situations, but in their view and response to them. "Cause I have other things to fill my time You take what is yours and I'll take mine Now let me at the truth Which will refresh my broken mind
So tie me to a post and block my ears I can see widows and orphans through my tears I know my call despite my faults And despite my growing fears." It is in the second verse that he, in a way, becomes fed up with feeling sorry for himself and takes a step towards perspective. And although this song, overall, has very strong Christian, Biblical undertones, this verse is probably the most profound. There is a spiritual determination here. "Now let me at the truth which will refresh my broken mind." The second part of the second verse is my absolute favourite lyric. I am a huge fan of The Odyssey, his allusion is perfect for this song. Again, it calls to mind a sense of urgency, especially when bonded to it's unmistakable Biblical reference. He's so determined to see beyond himself and his "negative situation" to see the hurt and need in the world that is represented by the ones who have lost loved ones (widows and orphans). This is so significant because in Hebraic culture, the widow and the orphan represent the lowest of the low as far as social status goes. They represent the ones who are in the utmost need. The ones who have life's noose around their necks, if you will. "So make your siren's call And sing all you want I will not hear what you have to say
Cause I need freedom now And I need to know how To live my life as it's meant to be" This song comes full circle by him being so compassionate, that he invites those in the "negative situations" to join his point of view (upside down - I Corinthians 1:25), and see that there are others who have less than they. But even though he is compassionate, he will not be dragged down by their complaints and their ideas of what is fair and what is unfair. Until this point, I have neglected to mention one the most key aspect of this song. In the chorus, he says, I'll know my name as it's called again. Although it can mean many things, I think that it goes along perfectly with the rest the clear Christian theme of this song. All throughout the Bible, when people would be called to higher purpose, out of their former situations, many times God would change their names as their lives and characters would also change. So his name would be called again as he changed his ways. Overall, no matter how you interpret this song, it is amazing. It is encouraging. It is just beautiful. Mumford & Sons is an amazing group of musicians.
Awesome that you could relate so well to a marvelous piece of music. Think it is great how people can relate to the songs in different ways without putting to much thought in it. I, on hte other hand, love to analyze and find out what my deepest thoughts can draw out a beautifully lyrical piece. I like to test my intelligence a bit. I think it is nice that people still see love in this world, eventhough love has run aground on a massive island called sexual liberalism.
Awesome that you could relate so well to a marvelous piece of music. Think it is great how people can relate to the songs in different ways without putting to much thought in it. I, on hte other hand, love to analyze and find out what my deepest thoughts can draw out a beautifully lyrical piece. I like to test my intelligence a bit. I think it is nice that people still see love in this world, eventhough love has run aground on a massive island called sexual liberalism.
Don't know why I'm writing this here, just felt like it.
I love this interpretation.
I love this interpretation.
Not all songs that involve the idea of love have to be about relationships. For a song with this much depth and intensity, I think it sullies the concept to apply it to a simple relationship between two people. To me, it seems obvious that the idea of this song transcends that.
Not all songs that involve the idea of love have to be about relationships. For a song with this much depth and intensity, I think it sullies the concept to apply it to a simple relationship between two people. To me, it seems obvious that the idea of this song transcends that.
The song is firstly, wonderful. Secondly, it is taken nearly directly from Chapter V of GK Chesterton's biography of St. Francis of Assisi, about Francis' conversion to being radically Catholic. Marcus Mumford has a book club and says he has read Chesterton-a prominent Catholic theologian, philosopher, journalist, poet. It clearly has a Christian and Catholic undertone, no point in arguing that. I am glad Christians and non-Christians alike enjoy the song. Truth attracts by its own splendor.
The song is firstly, wonderful. Secondly, it is taken nearly directly from Chapter V of GK Chesterton's biography of St. Francis of Assisi, about Francis' conversion to being radically Catholic. Marcus Mumford has a book club and says he has read Chesterton-a prominent Catholic theologian, philosopher, journalist, poet. It clearly has a Christian and Catholic undertone, no point in arguing that. I am glad Christians and non-Christians alike enjoy the song. Truth attracts by its own splendor.
A wonderful analysis! I love Odysseus and Plato and God - so I ate this song right up! These boys are deep. I think of Steely Dan's song "Home at Last" which says "Still I remain tied to the mast." I think the sirens are the world's woes and he is saying I could drown in the sorrow of the world, but I need to get to the bottom of WHAT I'M HERE TO DO FOR GOD, and it might not be what everyone else THINKS he should do. In order to be effective, we have to meditate, pray and...
A wonderful analysis! I love Odysseus and Plato and God - so I ate this song right up! These boys are deep. I think of Steely Dan's song "Home at Last" which says "Still I remain tied to the mast." I think the sirens are the world's woes and he is saying I could drown in the sorrow of the world, but I need to get to the bottom of WHAT I'M HERE TO DO FOR GOD, and it might not be what everyone else THINKS he should do. In order to be effective, we have to meditate, pray and find out what we're here to do, otherwise we flail and drown to the siren's calls (we either self-medicate with drugs and booze or become terrorists - forgetting that LOVING those around us and finding our own calling is the best way to do God's Will). But I think he is also saying that he won't abandon any of his brothers - the noose around your neck. He will love them unconditionally and be there for them, but not be sucked in to their dramas that don't aid his own purpose that God is giving him. Which in this case? To write great songs!!! Keep it up Mumford and Sons - I think you've found your purpose!
This is a well thought out analysis and I wholeheartedly agree. The lyrics were created with care and thought and so it is refreshing to see that they have found their mark in some of their audience.
This is a well thought out analysis and I wholeheartedly agree. The lyrics were created with care and thought and so it is refreshing to see that they have found their mark in some of their audience.
Beautiful analysis! This is basically what I was going to say, except you were a lot more intelligent about it :P Yup, I agree wit you completely.
Beautiful analysis! This is basically what I was going to say, except you were a lot more intelligent about it :P Yup, I agree wit you completely.