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Hopeless Wanderer Lyrics
You heard my voice
I came out of the woods by choice
The shelter also gave the shade
But in the dark I have no name
So leave that click in my head
And I will remember the words that you said
Left a clouded mind and heavy heart
But I was sure we could see a new start
So when your hope's on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
But hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Wrestled long with my youth
We tried so hard to live in the truth
But do not tell me all is fine
When I lose my head I lose my spine
So leave that click in my head
And I will remember the words that you said
You brought me out from the cold
Now how I long how I long to grow old
So when your hope's on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
But hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
I will learn, I will learn
To love the skies I'm under
I will learn, I will learn
To love the skies I'm under
The skies I'm under
I came out of the woods by choice
The shelter also gave the shade
But in the dark I have no name
And I will remember the words that you said
Left a clouded mind and heavy heart
But I was sure we could see a new start
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
We tried so hard to live in the truth
But do not tell me all is fine
When I lose my head I lose my spine
And I will remember the words that you said
You brought me out from the cold
Now how I long how I long to grow old
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
Hold me fast, hold me fast
Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer
To love the skies I'm under
I will learn, I will learn
To love the skies I'm under
The skies I'm under
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer
Benjamin Walter David Lovett, Edward James Milton Dwane, Marcus Oliver Johnstone Mumford, Winston Aubrey Aladar Marshall
Producer
Mumford & Sons, James Ford
Release date
Jul 16, 2012
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
nomadgal On Feb 25, 2011
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
To me it's about someone who runs all the time. They are completely restless and are afraid to feel so much emotion, therefore they bolt. They want to be happy and be a part of something, but at the same time are scared of the pain it could possibly bring. I think it's about learning to overcome the fear and stop running away from life.
I personally believe this song is about a man who is afraid of being in love with someone and afraid of being tied down as he has roamed all of his life. "Hold me fast because I'm a hopeless wanderer" he wants to change and he wants to be committed to the certain someone the song is addressed to. "Wrestled long with my youth" It sounds as though he doesn't want to grow old, hence why he has never settled down with anyone. he thinks if he continues to run away from responsibilities he will stay young. "And I will remember the words that you said you brought me out from the cold, now how I long how I long to grow old" "And I will learn to love the skies I'm under" He will learn to stay in one place, grow old and be happy as long as he's with the one he loves.
I view this song as a message to a lover who has in essence saved someone from their old ways.
I agree with you! Very good Interpretation! This song really speaks to me, I was just that guy that the song talks about, I fell in love with a wonderful girl, deep inside I knew that she was the one but I was scared of that feeling and so I was still going out with other girls on the side. I broke her heart, I felt so bad that I made her feel so much pain because I was immature and it was hard for me to realize that I was so stupid to not realize that soulmates do exist...
I agree with you! Very good Interpretation! This song really speaks to me, I was just that guy that the song talks about, I fell in love with a wonderful girl, deep inside I knew that she was the one but I was scared of that feeling and so I was still going out with other girls on the side. I broke her heart, I felt so bad that I made her feel so much pain because I was immature and it was hard for me to realize that I was so stupid to not realize that soulmates do exist and she was the one for me. I was so stupid that I used to think that I can get someone similar to her, first I tried to get a girl that looks similar to her from the outside and then I looked for a girl who had a similar personality to hers. It was the most stupid thing I've done and it was a waste of time. She was one of a kind and she was the one for me, God brought her to me! It took me a very long time to get her back, I worked really hard to prove to her that I changed and I never stopped until today. I was 25 when I lost her and now I'm 35 and I am the happiest man in the world. I than God every single day that she forgave me for what I have done to her! Real love is the most beautiful thing on earth and when you find it, don't let her go! You will regret it forever! No other girl will take her place! Love this song!
And do not contact me anymore bc I don't have time for any bullshit! I need to concentrate on school.
And do not contact me anymore bc I don't have time for any bullshit! I need to concentrate on school.
Someone's already probably said this in some way or another but the beauty of a song, it's lyrics and the way it's sung is the meanings we each can associate with it, and adapt it to feel the way we want that song to make us feel. To me this song is about a lost soul, one that knows what good is, well grounded in it, but keeps "slipping". A soul in search of itself.
I think you're all very close, but I'm not sure. We may all be listening to different recordings.
--
Hear my voice: I came out of the woods by choice! The shelter also gave the shade, and in the dark, I have no name.
So leave that click (?) in my head, and I will remember the words that you said. Left a clouded mind and a heavy heart, but I am sure we will see a new start.
So, when your hopes on fire, but you know your desire: Don't hold a glass over the flame; Don't let your heart grow cold, I will call you by name! I will share your road!
I wrestled long with my youth, I tried so hard to live in the truth, but do not tell me all is fine: When I lose my head, I lose my spine!
So leave that click in my head, and I must remember the words that you said.. You brought me out from the cold Now, how I long, how I long to grow old!
So, when your hopes are on fire, but you know your desire! Don't hold a glass over the flame! Don't let your heart grow cold! I will call you by name! I will share your road ...!
And hold me fast, hold me fast Cause I'm a hopeless wanderer Hold me fast, hold me fast, 'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer
And I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I wander And I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I wander
The skies I wander
This song means a lot to me. It sounds a good deal like someone who is struggling to combat depression, and is presently reaching out to someone they love who also is. It also seems like they have a long and strange history.
I could say more, but that's the general idea I get from it. xD
Except *tried so hard to live in their truth
Except *tried so hard to live in their truth
and I don't think it ever says "are on", with "are on fire", although he could just be shortening and slurring words together.. which is part of the bands charm, I think.
and I don't think it ever says "are on", with "are on fire", although he could just be shortening and slurring words together.. which is part of the bands charm, I think.
..hehe, yeah, it sounds like " err n' " in the track I have, although it appears to be live. Fun, fun.
..hehe, yeah, it sounds like " err n' " in the track I have, although it appears to be live. Fun, fun.
I feel like these you just posted are pretty much how I hear the lyrics.
I feel like these you just posted are pretty much how I hear the lyrics.
I have to ask...did you read my biography?? Saying in jest (kinda). This is the same idea that came to mind as I first heard this song. Of course there is a long and strange history there! Cheers quixotic knight A!
I have to ask...did you read my biography?? Saying in jest (kinda). This is the same idea that came to mind as I first heard this song. Of course there is a long and strange history there! Cheers quixotic knight A!
Everyone says it is to love the skies I wander, but I've been hearing, "love the skies I'm under." A hopeless wanderer would still be on the ground, yes? I saw it as a different way of saying "Love your ground," except this person has no ground to call his own because he's a hopeless wanderer who hopes to one day at least love the skies he's under.
Yes, I know what you mean–I've heard both of those, depending on which recording of the song I'm listening to. It wouldn't be the first time they've played a bit fast and loose with their lyrics when performing live. Which is part of the fun of a live performance, of course. I think they're both interesting lines. And just like you, I saw it as being related to loving your ground, which seems to be a theme with M&S.
Yes, I know what you mean–I've heard both of those, depending on which recording of the song I'm listening to. It wouldn't be the first time they've played a bit fast and loose with their lyrics when performing live. Which is part of the fun of a live performance, of course. I think they're both interesting lines. And just like you, I saw it as being related to loving your ground, which seems to be a theme with M&S.
For some reason this is my favourite song of the whole album, even though I can't decide on the meaning. I think I just like some of the imagery and actual music, it is a really powerful song.
Agreed!
Agreed!
This song is about drinking. A man that had the choice between choosing the woman he love or continue drinking. It is about a man that made the right choice because the love for the woman was stronger than the love of booze.
Might be a dumb question... but what exactly does "So leave that click in my head" mean?
Well maybe it's like a thought in his head. Because you know like when you think of something, it "clicks."
Well maybe it's like a thought in his head. Because you know like when you think of something, it "clicks."
i like that! makes sense, thanks
i like that! makes sense, thanks
I interpret it as a "click" as in something to make him think differently or something said or done that gives him hope or light in midst of confusion and darkness.
I interpret it as a "click" as in something to make him think differently or something said or done that gives him hope or light in midst of confusion and darkness.
mumford and sons are a band that had their roots started at the worship band at their church, and the "click" in your head is the way God lays things on your heart. (: He speaks in a still small voice, like a quiet click that leads you this way or that. Also sort of like your conscience how it tells you when you are doing something right or wrong.
mumford and sons are a band that had their roots started at the worship band at their church, and the "click" in your head is the way God lays things on your heart. (: He speaks in a still small voice, like a quiet click that leads you this way or that. Also sort of like your conscience how it tells you when you are doing something right or wrong.
Tons of Biblical imagery in this song. I think the first verse refers to the Garden of Eden and how Adam and Eve felt shame and wanted to hide, but ultimately it is better to be known fully than to hide. "I will call you by name/ I will share your road" is reminiscent of Saul's conversion into Paul when he is called by name on the road to Damascus. There are other moments in the Bible when people were joined on the road by Jesus. The "click in my head" can refer to how some Christians choose to remember scripture as a way to return to the right course (Prov. 3:5-6). I think the song shifts in perspective, being a hopeless wanderer in the portions that are "leave that click in my head" and God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in response "When your hope's on fire...I will share your road." I see it as a moment of re-conversion, so to speak. P.S. Please don't ream me out for seeing Biblical imagery if you don't see it. This is my interpretation of a song, not a diatribe of any sort; I do not deserve a diatribe in response.
I totally agree with this interpretation - I was actually searching online to see if anyone else understood it that way too. It's nice to find songs that (for me) relate to Christianity that aren't part of the "Christian music scene" (which I can't stand). I also think interpretations can be a subjective, so if others see it a different way, that's cool too.
I totally agree with this interpretation - I was actually searching online to see if anyone else understood it that way too. It's nice to find songs that (for me) relate to Christianity that aren't part of the "Christian music scene" (which I can't stand). I also think interpretations can be a subjective, so if others see it a different way, that's cool too.
Whoa... I didnt see this interpretation until i read your comment!! But I also see the interpretation the person above you saw!!
Whoa... I didnt see this interpretation until i read your comment!! But I also see the interpretation the person above you saw!!
this is why I love Mumford and Sons!! multiple meaning in one song :) a song for everyone
this is why I love Mumford and Sons!! multiple meaning in one song :) a song for everyone
This is an amazing interpretation of this song! I love how Mumford ties in biblical meanings to almost all their songs!
This is an amazing interpretation of this song! I love how Mumford ties in biblical meanings to almost all their songs!
Thanks!
Thanks!
wow....i dont know enough about the bible to understand what you mean but I do feel the biblical overtones in their music constantly.
wow....i dont know enough about the bible to understand what you mean but I do feel the biblical overtones in their music constantly.
What A great song. Lots of different possible ways of seeing it but i think this verse is pretty clear. This seems really relevant to anyone coming out of a deep dark depression when they've been on the brink of truly giving up. Another Win for Mumford!!
So leave that click in my head (Thoughts of Suicide) And I will remember the words that you said (The inner remainging bit of hope) You bought me out from the cold Now how I long , how I long to grow old ( I don't want to die anymore)