I was lost but now I am found
A line was crossed, a vessel run aground
The boy has gone, let's grieve and let him go
He left at dawn, but it's a new day don't you know?

In the company of wolves I sat in silence
Observant and afraid
He was there with the eyes like glowing embers
The man you see was made, oh whoa whoa

I was low but now I am high
It helps to know serenity from ennui
Oh oh, something's wrong, something's wrong,
When it all remains the same
So face the fire, come into your name

In the company of wolves I sat in silence
Observant and afraid
He was there with the eyes like glowing embers
The man you see was made, oh whoa ooh

Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for
But when all those lights cease to shine,
I was alive I think for the first time
Infinity it falls, in feathery folds
But she bites like loveless eyes,
And with her belly full she called this rite of passage,
It was the longest night of my life

It was the longest night of my life

Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for
But when all those lights cease to shine,
I was alive I think for the first time
Infinity it falls, in feathery folds
But she bites like loveless eyes,
And with her belly full she called this rite of passage,
It was the longest night of my life

It was the longest night of my life


Lyrics submitted by staticoverdub

In the Company of Wolves Lyrics as written by Brandon Charles Boyd Benjamin Lee Kenney

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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In the Company of Wolves song meanings
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  • +3
    My Interpretation

    This song seems to me to be about growing up in a malicious, collectivist society where being able to think for yourself is quietly discouraged.

    The first two verses contrast his youthful anger and confusion (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.) with finally understanding his place and knowing who he must be (If Not Now, When?). In the second verse, he also encourages us to do the same. The problem is that we aren't doing anything about the problem. "Something's wrong when it all remains the same...face the fire, come into your name." We aren't meant to sit by as freedom dies, yet that is what we are doing. It's time to stand up and take your rightful place against those who wish to own you.

    The chorus describes his past, being perhaps a young adult, recognizing the malice around him but being afraid to draw attention to his distaste for it. Eventually he is discovered and there is no turning back.

    The rite of passage is the time between being one of the crowd and coming to grips with the burden and solitude of enlightened. He doesn't know exactly when it happened, but at some point he awakened to the darkness and was alive (think Vitamin) and "[thought] for the first time." Time gently slips by, then when he finally emerges from the darkness, he realizes that 10 years or more have passed. Time passes slowly, but waits for no one.

    I think it is very important to put this song in context with previous albums and songs such as Defiance, Thieves, Adolescents, and Tomorrow's Food. Personally, I am thrilled to see this stripe shining as bright as ever!

    I agree with most of BroMontana's lyrics, though I would say, "He was there with their eyes like glowing embers," rather than "It was there," as I think he is describing himself / the man. I also agree that it is "I was alive" and the bit about "ennui" seems right, too, just Americanized French to fit the rhyme and reason...

    tristanoon July 05, 2011   Link
  • +3
    Lyric Correction

    Totally awesome song, but these are the correct lyrics (per the CD's book):

    IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES

    I was lost but now I am found. The line was crossed, vessel run aground. The boy is gone, let's grieve and let him go He left at dawn. But it's a new day, don't ya know?

    In the company of wolves I sat in silence observant and afraid. It was there with their eyes like glowing embers, the man you see was made.

    I was low but now I am high. It helps to know serenity from ennui. Something's wrong, something's wrong when it all remains the same. So face the fire and come into your name.

    In the company of wolves I sat in silence observant and afraid. It was there with their eyes like glowing embers, the man you see was made.

    Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for but when Aurora's lights ceased to shine I was alive, I think, for the first time. Infinity it falls in feathery folds but she bites like loveless ice And with her belly full, she culled this Rite of Passage It was the longest night of my life.

    Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for but when Aurora's lights ceased to shine I was alive, I think, for the first time. Infinity it falls in feathery folds but she bites like loveless ice And with her belly full, she culled this Rite of Passage It was the longest night of my life.

    revelationinviewon July 21, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Brandon just said in the HQ that this song in a nutshell is about "a rite of passage"

    spenceriscoolon July 07, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    If you read the meaning and importance of wolves in Pagan and Wiccan belief systems, you will be able to understand more where Brandon Boyd is coming from. Like se7en11, I also believe that this song is about his Pagan and Wiccan experiences. Also, Boyd's writing style is geared more towards the use of symbols rather than metaphors (ex. Ana Molly, Hilikus). This is obvious even in his music videos. So, whenever I analyze his songs, I take out the symbols and look for what they represent.

    wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/wolf-meaning-and-totem

    crookedcaton May 25, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    No doubt everyone's perception of "art" can vary. But, the "artist" themselves create out of one viewpoint. Their very own experiences. In this case, it may not be bold but there may be a reason. Let's take a look at the song and video "Runaway Train" for example.

    In the beginning he mentions the "love triangle" he, "future" and "calamity" are in. At this moment in the video, Brandon shows us the two horned male drawings, which are the same person and himself presenting them. Triangle - Brandon (future), Brandon (calamity) and Brandon (himself) "in the corner starting to feel uncomfortable".

    Now he is asking if he should stop or continue with this love triangle. "douse the spark or fan the flames". Here's where it gets interesting. Brandon has been trying to communicate with us something that he shouldn't be talking about. So he has to "merely think of clever things to say".

    An addiction can bring about the word "love" to express how much one likes what they experience from it, whether good or bad. Breaking away from what you love is not easy. So now we have Brandon telling us how he has tried more than once to break away from this love triangle. But each attempt has brought him back to the uncomfortable corner. "the more I try to seperate, the better it feels to get right in the way. At this moment in the video, when he says "the better it feels to get right in the way", you see a male figure in a suit opening a treasure chest.

    In the second verse, Brandon keeps finding himself back in the love triangle, it's because "THEY have a talent for making trouble seem enjoyable." Who are "they"? Could be the entertainment industry hence the man in the suit flashing treasures and gifts.

    Here's a clever thing. In the video at 2:00, when he says, "Oh how I do love the RAIN.", you will see the suited man flashing objects which symbolize gifts. Brandon loves being SHOWERED with gifts! Even though it seems to get him in trouble.

    The horns are symbolic. You see the horns in the video "Last Night A Passenger" as well, with the female demons around him. "with HER belly full she culled..". Female demons because in Paganism, the female goddess is the one in control. Just like chess, in which you win when you beat the QUEEN. His fate lies in the belly of the "beast"/ "hell". Most of Brandon's songs are about his experiences as a Pagan.

    "our intuit we're taught to deny, yes our soul we're told's for selling!" -Out from Under

    Maybe the simplistic lyrics of his solo album and the videos is the line he crossed being the reason why he never performs any of the songs besides this one and it was only once in 2010 in Chile in a benefit for the trapped miners.

    He's not the only Pagan "artist" out there.

    se7en11on May 18, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    epic track . pink floyd like. the middle part to the end of the song is f$%kin awesome :)

    StarChild69on May 05, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I was lost, but now I am found A line was crossed, vessel run aground The boy is gone, let's grieve and let him go He left at dawn, but it's a new day, don't ya know?

    In the company of wolves I sat in silence Observant and afraid It was there, with their eyes like glowing embers the man you see was made

    I was low, but now I am high :) It helps to know serenity from any why (?) Something's wrong, something's wrong, when it all remains the same So face the fire, come into your name

    In the company of wolves I sat in silence Observant and afraid It was there, with their eyes like glowing embers the man you see was made

    activates beastmode

    Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for but when Aurora's lights ceased to shine i was ally I think for the first time Infinity it falls in feathery folds but she bites like loveless eyes and with her belly full she culled this rite of passage it was the longest night of my life It was... It was... It was... It was... It was... It was...

    It was the longest night of my life It was... It was... It was... It was... It was... It was... It was...

    Even I can't recall how many days I had been out there for but when Aurora's lights ceased to shine i was ally I think for the first time Infinity it falls in feathery folds but she bites like loveless eyes and with her belly full she culled this rite of passage it was the longest night of my life It was... It was... It was... It was... It was... It was...

    It was the longest night of my life It was... It was... It was... It was... It was... It was...

    BroMontanaon May 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hear them perform it live!!! youtube.com/watch It's pure orgasm

    CopperSunon June 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It could be like the transition to become someone different or get something for you that will turn yourself into someone different.... life changes force us to move on, “something's wrong when it all remains the same” if we do not change we shall be culled as the worthless animal in a herd… the combination of both parts of this song is good but the last part It's it's f*ing awesome!!! it f**ing Rocks!! are we agreed??

    AlvaroBon July 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I do agree that the last bit is epic, it gives me goosebumps. The drum beat is just too good, i can listen to it on a loop for an hour or so if i had to.

    Raybatesmanon July 11, 2011   Link

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