After listening countless times to this song, I've come to realize that, to me, this song sounds as though it is sung by someone whose partner is going through depression or some other kind of turmoil in his/her life right now. Whether the singer's partner has set the fire or not, it represents some sort of low point or peak of the depression/trouble. The singer is saying "give me your hand" because he is going to do all he can to keep his partner safe. He's willing to do whatever it takes- "take what you will tonight, I'll give it as fast/ And high as the flames will rise"- in order for him to be there for his partner. The whispering snake, traditionally a symbol of the Devil, is the darkness that is still present in his/her mind, despite being guarded by a loved one. The way the house burned down affected his/her parents is similar to how a child's depression would affect them. The father's picture that he refuses to let go of is most likely a picture of his son or daughter, the singer' s partner, from a time before the depression/trouble.
The entire song has a feeling of acceptance, of understanding that the depression is a fact right now but that the singer will help to the best of his abilities. The beautiful, mellow music is complemented nicely by the quiet crackling-fire noise in the background.
The subject of the song could be the singer's sibling, cousin, or friend, not necessarily his lover.
After listening countless times to this song, I've come to realize that, to me, this song sounds as though it is sung by someone whose partner is going through depression or some other kind of turmoil in his/her life right now. Whether the singer's partner has set the fire or not, it represents some sort of low point or peak of the depression/trouble. The singer is saying "give me your hand" because he is going to do all he can to keep his partner safe. He's willing to do whatever it takes- "take what you will tonight, I'll give it as fast/ And high as the flames will rise"- in order for him to be there for his partner. The whispering snake, traditionally a symbol of the Devil, is the darkness that is still present in his/her mind, despite being guarded by a loved one. The way the house burned down affected his/her parents is similar to how a child's depression would affect them. The father's picture that he refuses to let go of is most likely a picture of his son or daughter, the singer' s partner, from a time before the depression/trouble.
The entire song has a feeling of acceptance, of understanding that the depression is a fact right now but that the singer will help to the best of his abilities. The beautiful, mellow music is complemented nicely by the quiet crackling-fire noise in the background.
The subject of the song could be the singer's sibling, cousin, or friend, not necessarily his lover.