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

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

'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

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

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

And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again


Lyrics submitted by Nobody-special, edited by 1770, dodgerblue

The Cave Lyrics as written by Edward James Milton Dwane Benjamin Walter David Lovett

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Cave song meanings
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  • +5
    Song Meaning

    I met Marcus Mumford in March 2010, when they played at Hoxton Square. I was studying philosophy at the time and I asked him after the gig if he was influenced by Plato's Cave with this song - he said it was all based on this- he studied classics. This song is suggesting that we look at shadows created by a fire on the wall of the cave and we think this is life and we think it's reality. If we turned around and faced the sun we could see the world around us and ourselves in all our glory rather than merely looking at shadows - hence coming out of the cave walking on your hands...looking at life in a completely different way and freedom from our assumed reality...knowing our true selves- our names as they're called again.

    cspenceron October 18, 2011   Link

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