I think the song is about a fellow who has a brother who he considers to be on the wrong track in life in some kind of way. The people who know him are all worried for him. He says "I heard you missed your connecting flight to the Blue Ridge Mountains" possibly indicating that the path his brother took was sudden and divergent from what others expected. The song addresses his brother "you're welcome with me any time you like"; it would seem the other sibling simply wants his brother back so he could be set straight or helped, or perhaps the sibling simply wants him "back" metaphorically, e.g. to return to how he once was. The chorus about the shivering forest, dog, wooden home their grandfather built, etc., seems to be a collection of images that I'm guessing reference an undeniable and shared past between the two brothers, to remind the one of who he is or at least used to be.
This is the interpretation I agree with the most, but I think it's slightly backwards.
This is the interpretation I agree with the most, but I think it's slightly backwards.
The writer is thrilled when his brother has an unexpected misfortune (missing his flight, presumably near the writer's location) because it gives him a chance to spend time with his brother who he loves and shares many good memories with. But he also feels guilty for his excitement; he knows his brother should be moving on with his life and wants to be sad for his brother's setback rather than happy for himself.
The writer is thrilled when his brother has an unexpected misfortune (missing his flight, presumably near the writer's location) because it gives him a chance to spend time with his brother who he loves and shares many good memories with. But he also feels guilty for his excitement; he knows his brother should be moving on with his life and wants to be sad for his brother's setback rather than happy for himself.
@Eleo I definitely agree, especially because other songs by the Fleet Foxes share the same theme. He Doesn't Know Why and Mykonos both appear (to me at least) to express concern and love for a brother who has had a difficult past, and whom the singer is trying to help turn his life around.
@Eleo I definitely agree, especially because other songs by the Fleet Foxes share the same theme. He Doesn't Know Why and Mykonos both appear (to me at least) to express concern and love for a brother who has had a difficult past, and whom the singer is trying to help turn his life around.
I think the song is about a fellow who has a brother who he considers to be on the wrong track in life in some kind of way. The people who know him are all worried for him. He says "I heard you missed your connecting flight to the Blue Ridge Mountains" possibly indicating that the path his brother took was sudden and divergent from what others expected. The song addresses his brother "you're welcome with me any time you like"; it would seem the other sibling simply wants his brother back so he could be set straight or helped, or perhaps the sibling simply wants him "back" metaphorically, e.g. to return to how he once was. The chorus about the shivering forest, dog, wooden home their grandfather built, etc., seems to be a collection of images that I'm guessing reference an undeniable and shared past between the two brothers, to remind the one of who he is or at least used to be.
@Eleo
@Eleo
This is the interpretation I agree with the most, but I think it's slightly backwards.
This is the interpretation I agree with the most, but I think it's slightly backwards.
The writer is thrilled when his brother has an unexpected misfortune (missing his flight, presumably near the writer's location) because it gives him a chance to spend time with his brother who he loves and shares many good memories with. But he also feels guilty for his excitement; he knows his brother should be moving on with his life and wants to be sad for his brother's setback rather than happy for himself.
The writer is thrilled when his brother has an unexpected misfortune (missing his flight, presumably near the writer's location) because it gives him a chance to spend time with his brother who he loves and shares many good memories with. But he also feels guilty for his excitement; he knows his brother should be moving on with his life and wants to be sad for his brother's setback rather than happy for himself.
@Eleo I definitely agree, especially because other songs by the Fleet Foxes share the same theme. He Doesn't Know Why and Mykonos both appear (to me at least) to express concern and love for a brother who has had a difficult past, and whom the singer is trying to help turn his life around.
@Eleo I definitely agree, especially because other songs by the Fleet Foxes share the same theme. He Doesn't Know Why and Mykonos both appear (to me at least) to express concern and love for a brother who has had a difficult past, and whom the singer is trying to help turn his life around.
@Eleo this makes sense to me. Thank you.
@Eleo this makes sense to me. Thank you.