The Wolves

Where to go when you can't go to anyone, not even God? I think he is mad at God, and maybe just coming to the realization of how cruel and violent the world is, and wondering how a God that is supposed to love us allows these atrocious things to happen in a world he created, and about losing faith in humanity as well.

I feel that this song, instead of being about losing faith that there is a God, is about losing faith in the absolute justice and goodness of God. The singer doesn't seem to be debating God's existence, but wondering why bad things happen to good people, why there are so many "wolves" in the world, etc., and from there questioning God's love.

There is a very good post discussing this song here http://www.bywayofbeauty.com/2011/10/ben-howard-battles-with-wolves.html

In essence, the song is about a man dealing with a "Hidden God".

In terms of what Ben Howard meant it to be, It's possible that the line "I lost my patience with the lord" is merely a reference to letting being frustrated with his current situation, thus it's a breakup song. I prefer the alternate reading though, makes the song far more interesting.

I'm not sure if it's just me, but the lyrics aren't showing up here. So here they are:

Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces Now that we're lonely, now that there's nowhere to go Watching from both sides, these clock towers burning up I lost my time here, I lost my patience with it all

We lost faith, in the arms of love

Where've you been hiding lately? Where've you been hiding from the news? Because we've been fighting lately We've been fighting with the wolves With the wolves Red tongues and hands

Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces Now that we're lonely, now that we're so far from home Watching from both sides, these tower's been tumbling down I lost my mind here, I lost my patience with the lord

We lost faith, in the arms of love

Where've you been hiding lately? Where've you been hiding from the news? Because we've been fighting lately We've been fighting with the wolves With the wolves Red tongues and hands

We lost faith, in the arms of love

I think it's important to note the comma separating "We lost faith" and "in the arms of love"

I honestly believe it's an expression of losing that religious faith. Ben is questioning, basically, 'Where are you god, while the world burns?'

His frustration is remedied with the "We lost faith, in the arms of love" line. Losing faith in a superior being meant finding faith in humanity, in love that is reciprocated and emphatic.

I think it's a beautiful expression of atheism. I could be wrong. But it's a wonderful song nonetheless.

I'm so pumped someone else got this one! Uknowwhoiam nailed it - its the type of thing that, if you understand what Howard understands, it just clicks and seems so obvious; if you can't get on his level, you will probably think of this in a religious way or something silly like that.

Get used to this -- true artists in a society tend to be more aware of the scum and evil that evades the attention of so many others. We should expect to see more and more artists writing about 9/11, but of course such references will have to be veiled and vague (otherwise say bye bye to record deals)

This is quite simply a wake up song -- where have you been? Why are you hiding from the news? Its tough news, it really is -- but it will in time retore your "faith in the arms of love", which was so shattered by the violent coup of 9/11/2001 and everything it has begat.

This is where our renewal will begin. Until you stop hiding from the news (and more people awaken each day!), we cannot move forward as a species. We have been fighting "the wolves", but we need your help!

There is no more important message today than this.

sounds like a break up song between him and his girlfriend, sounds more like a hot shot celebrity break up then an average joe. Where you been hiding from the news?, fighting with the wolves (paparazzi). or maybe im being too simplistic? Yea im probably am...

Amazing song - talking about the "sheeple" fighting back against TPTB - "these towers tumbling down" - i mean come on , : p

It's talking a lot about finding his soul and coming to a realization with what reality really is. "We lost faith in the arms of love" refers to humanity forgetting to make love a priority. And "the wolves" refers to the government. I've always loved this song but the idea of this song being written about these ideas have just now hit me. We are in a time of awakening and a time of change for humanity.

One interpretation:

That in putting all of your faith into someone or something that you love (whether it be anything from religion to a relationship) to then have it taken away, leaves you feeling lost and empty.

We lost faith, in the arms of love.

Beautiful song.