This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamed I had a cutting stone
Dreamed I held it all my own
It cut through wire, wood, and bone
I'll cut you down, my cutting stone
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
Wandering, I chanced upon
A wayward child lost anon
And when he laid across my chest
My cutting stone it did the rest
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
In a valley green and wide
A suitor wept for a dying bride
And when he turned his eyes on me
A cutting stone did set him free
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
There upon a mountaintop
I looked down on to what I'd wrought
And when I saw my labors through
I cut my cutting stone in two
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
I'll always have my cutting stone
I'll cut you down, my cutting stone
Dreamed I held it all my own
It cut through wire, wood, and bone
I'll cut you down, my cutting stone
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
Wandering, I chanced upon
A wayward child lost anon
And when he laid across my chest
My cutting stone it did the rest
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
In a valley green and wide
A suitor wept for a dying bride
And when he turned his eyes on me
A cutting stone did set him free
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
There upon a mountaintop
I looked down on to what I'd wrought
And when I saw my labors through
I cut my cutting stone in two
Cutting stone oh fear me none
Whether wild or whether won
Though I travel far from home
I'll always have my cutting stone
I'll always have my cutting stone
I'll cut you down, my cutting stone
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Cutting Stone Lyrics as written by Colin Meloy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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This is an incredible song. You wouldn't think synthesziers and folk music would mix very well. The Decemberists make it work masterfully.
I'm not sure that there is regret there. "And when I saw my labours through" - it sounds to me more like the narrator saw it as his duty. When the job would done, he could move on.
The only reference to a cutting stone I can find is Hippocrates' proscription to physicians in ancient Greece not to “cut for stone,” or to do more harm by cutting into a patient.
As I read through the lyrics, I wonder if the cutting stone is knowledge? In a way, it can "cut through" wire, wood and bone. You'll always have it and you can teach others so you can "Cut my cutting stone in two." You'd do this especially after reflecting over all the works you've accomplished.
Knowledge may be the wrong idea exactly, but it seems like something mental, exterior to the person. "Whether wild or whether won" could be different ways of learning. You just understood it intuitively (wild) or you learn it through effort (won).
"Cutting stone fear me none" could be anthropomorphizing knowledge, a call for it to not escape you.
"I'll cut you down, my cutting stone" is questioning what you know, cutting down what doesn't or hasn't worked. It could also be doubt in one's own understanding. Only new knowledge can cut down old knowledge.
The child is abandoned, he raises the child and his knowledge "did the rest" as in took care of them. Now this is where I kind of want a word other than knowledge. It kind of works, but wisdom would be better.
The suitor weeps and he consoles him. Again, cold knowledge doesn't feel quite right, but wisdom could. It could also be some philosophy that helps the suitor.
I could be wrong but it seems to fit.