The Beast

here we go "On the new album Ms. Marling sings about love, rage, desire, family, devils, angels, devotion, betrayal and the roles women play. In “Rest in the Bed” a woman speaks to an unborn child cradled in “the bed of my bones.” In “Salinas,” inspired by reading about John Steinbeck, Ms. Marling invents a mother who’s “the savior/Of six feet of bad behavior.”

Two recurring figures each get a song named after them. One is Sophia, the ancient goddess of wisdom sometimes seen as God’s female complement; Ms. Marling was drawn to the idea after being enthralled by Robertson Davies’s philosophical novel “The Rebel Angels.” (“I gave it to everyone I knew,” she groused, “and no one has read it.”) The other is the album’s centerpiece: “The Beast,” whose lustful snarl translates into layers of distorted electric guitar. So much for the nu-folk pigeonhole. “It was a bit like, people are going to think this is weird,” Ms. Marling said. “The electric guitar sound is like a character in the song, almost as important as the lyrics.”

The character of the Beast changes roles in the album, she added. “At some point it’s me, at some points it’s someone else, and at some points it’s not even a thing – it’s like a force,” she said. “I guess I didn’t really figure out what it was, and that’s why I ended up writing an album about it. The album is all about tugging and churning with goodness and darkness.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/arts/music/laura-marlings-british-folk-cd-creature-i-dont-know.html?pagewanted=2

There's something slightly sexual about this song. "Tonight he lies with me / and here comes the beast." It makes me wonder if she's in part referring to sexual promiscuity or sin.

Did you catch yourself in the mirror? It's a sight I understand You consider it all for a second And put it down to slight of hand

This part, I believe, refers to looking at yourself and not recognizing what you see. When did I become that woman, she wonders? But she dismisses it, believing she imagined it. And she fancies that he looks himself in the mirror as well, and sees guilt/a change.

Of course, we're all wondering how much this album is about Marcus, even if the influence is subtle and slight. There's the possibility, in this song and Sophia, that she's singing about her post-breakup songs. Add Night After Night to that list, and you get an overall theme of religious sin/moral ambiguity. We all know that Mumford and Songs sings about religion in oblique ways, and perhaps are Christian - maybe that got between them? And now she is embracing the dark/sinful side of herself, calling him out ("when the bell tolls for your last day / you'll be getting down on your knees to pray") all while she denies that she is truly evil, and calls for wisdom from an ancient non-Christian symbol.

sorry spelling error - " I give you the best ADVICE that I can "

'How did you get home, you will never know' and 'You know I've been running 'round for hours' both suggest to me that the man has come home drunk.

They have aged and the relationship has become stale.

I'd really love to know what other people think about this!

" I give you the best AVICE that I can " not " I give you the best the best that i can"

I am not certain but I believe a number of these songs were writen about a book Laura read and liked. Laura is certainly Not from Salinas CA - I have yet to confirm this but I believe that is what was mentioned in an interview. These are based on a book she read. And Laura is amazing, can't wait for the next album

I always got the idea that this song is about her deciding to sleep with someone but knowing that is was not a good idea, but doing it anyway. Of course it could be symbolic, or fictional.

I know I'm totally wrong because this song is symbolic and metaphorical but I like to think of it on a totally literal, story-telling level. Like, a woman who prayed and called to the goddess Sophia for power. But the ritual goes wrong. Or maybe Sophia curses her instead. I don't know. But she ends up getting something darker. A demon. The Beast. And she's enticed and seduced by this dark creature. But I only really get that by interpreting these lines on a literal level:

"You know I've been running 'round for hours Calling my Egyptian blood to bear me flowers Calling Sophia, goddess of power Instead I got the beast And tonight he lies with me."

But I know Laura's work isn't always literal and usually has deeper meaning so I'm sure that's not what she meant when she wrote it. I just like interpreting it this way; it would make one hell of a music video or short story.

I think the man is having an affair:

Where did our love go, you will never know How did you get home, you will never know (he's been out late and been drunk) Did you catch yourself in the mirror? It's a sight i understand (hence he feels guilty and lke he doesn't recognise himself.) she also feels like she's changed.

You know I've been running 'round for hours Calling my Egyptian blood to bear me flowers Calling Sophia, goddess of power. I actually think it's gyptian - as in gypsy. She definately is not egyptian and even though she also isnt a gypsy it make more sense to have a traveler's spirit (especially given rambling man). I think she's praying to be able to come up with a solution to feel better about the situation or run away and start again. She prays Sophia will give her strengh to carry on.

You're okay now, I suppose You're not pulled by the rope I'm pulled by the pull on my throat I'm pulled by the rope I swing from the trees into the slope Hold my head high, just by the tip of my toes and he lies, he lies so sweet that i choke

I think the devil talks to her instead and is convincing her to hang herself, sort of tempting her into it.

I'd suggest that you be grateful There's no blood on my hands and assume yourself weaker, the fall of man. She's saying he's lucky he didnt come to harm instead of her

And look out for the beast Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes the beast She's giving in to the temptation and letting the devil 'have her' by killing herself.

A pretty grim interpretation and maybe far too literal.

Where did our love go, you will never know How did you get home, you will never know Did you catch yourself in the mirror? It's a sight i understand You consider it all for a second And put it down to slight of hand

You know I've been running 'round for hours Calling my Egyptian blood to bear me flowers Calling Sophia, goddess of power.

Instead I got the beast and tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes to beast

You're okay now, I suppose You're not pulled by the rope I'm pulled by the pull on my throat I'm pulled by the rope I swing from the trees into the slope Hold my head high, just by the tip of my toes and he lies, he lies so sweet that i choke

Tonight i choose the beast Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes the beast

Put your eyes away if you can't bear to see your old lady laying down next to the beast Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes the beast

Look at yourself in the mirror It's a sight i understand You consider it all for a second and put it down to slight of hand I give you the best, the best that I can

I'd suggest that you be grateful There's no blood on my hands and assume yourself weaker, the fall of man.

And look out for the beast Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes the beast

Put your eyes away if you can't bear to see your old lady laying down next to the beast Tonight he lies with me Tonight he lies with me and here comes the beast