In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
The hour is ending, can't you see
There is no way now, to get free
In the shadow of the season
Without a reason, to carry on
Without a reason, without a reason
And from the north woods
Down to the valley
In a world of hurting, I'm moving on
And from the lighthouse
Out on the ocean
Can't climb the mountain, so very tall
Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion feels alright
The hour is drawing ever closer
And rolling over, won't let me be
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason, to carry on
Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion
She calls me onward to her side
And feels her song deep inside
And find a reason
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
Find a reason to carry on
To carry on
To find a reason to carry on
To carry on
There is no way now, to get free
In the shadow of the season
Without a reason, to carry on
Without a reason, without a reason
And from the north woods
Down to the valley
In a world of hurting, I'm moving on
And from the lighthouse
Out on the ocean
Can't climb the mountain, so very tall
Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion feels alright
The hour is drawing ever closer
And rolling over, won't let me be
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason, to carry on
Said Lord please give me what I need
He said there's pain and misery
Oh sweet oblivion
She calls me onward to her side
And feels her song deep inside
And find a reason
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
In the shadow of the season
To find a reason to carry on
Find a reason to carry on
To carry on
To find a reason to carry on
To carry on
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Shadow of the Season Lyrics as written by Lanegan Conner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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My take on the first verse is that the character is contemplating suicide and he sees no way out "The Hour's ending can't you see, there's no way now to get free." At this point the character sees nothing to left to live for.
In the second verse he is describing how fucked up the world is and describes suicide once again in the line "In a world of hurting, I'm moving on." The character feels like he can't carry on and wants to give up "Can't climb the mountain, so very tall."
In the third verse he finds hope in religion breifly by asking "Lord please give me what I need." However religion gives him no fulfillment and his problems still exist "He said there's pain and misery." Left dissatisfied with religion the character discovers drugs, most likley opiates in the line "Oh sweet oblivion, feels allright."
I think the "she" refered to in the final verse is heroin and how he is in the grip of addiction by this point "She calls me onward to her side, and feels her song deep inside." The character is then troubled with the need to keep up his addiction. "To find a reason, to carry on." This line is very similar to "Without a reason to carry on" but has a disctinct meaning in that he has discovered the thing he needs to carry on but he needs to find it instead of being without it.
Lastly I think this song is really great I especially like Mark Lanegan's vocals sung in an almost whispered scream that purveys a sense of intensity and desperation.
I too cannot believe the lack of comments regarding this amazing band. These guys are my favorite band; I first discovered them from a navy buddy when I was stationed in the bay area back in the early 90's. There are so many songs that have so much feeling and meaning (my favorite is Paradise).
I never could really pinpoint what this song referenced; but I knew it was somewhat dark. The previous post does have an interesting take on this. A lot of alternative bands back in the early 90's sang of heroin and drug use. Man those were good times...........