After the Storm

It is the Christian view of Hope. There will be great things, glimpses, in this world of how it will be in __(eternity, Heaven, paradise, the garden, call it what you will). There is love here on earth, but it is a human (read:imperfect) love that will be somewhat full, and somewhat self-less, and somewhat serving, and somewhat a complete picture. But "there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears, and love will not break your heart."

C.S. Lewis said that we have this insatiable longing for something that is not on this planet; not in this life. Just as we thirst, we have water. As we hunger, we have food. But we have a desire for this complete, meaningful life that humans have yet to find. Since there is a desire, there must be something to fulfill this desire and because it is not on earth, the conclusion must be drawn that it is otherworldly.

I think the meaning of this song is simple enough: better times will come. It's an extremely hope-based song. A person could either interpret it to be religious or secular, it's entirely up to the individual. I don't think Mumford & Sons wanted people to be tied down to only one interpretation, as though there's some sort of "correct" answer. It's art, and therefor its meaning is subjective to the viewer.

I hope you guys realise this is a completely spiritual song, right?

"And I look up, I look up, on my knees" surely refers to kneeling down, praying to God, looking up to supposed Heaven.

"And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears." this line is similar, it reminds me of a Bible passage talking about everyone achieving peace at some point, and love being all they need.

I think this song is about overcoming hardship and learning to love one's self, and to trust in love. "There'll come a time, you'll see, with no more tears and love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears" is the most powerful and focal point of the song, and it's about knowing that one day you'll meet someone who won't let you down even though you've been let down so many times before. This song is what got me through my best friend moving away and betraying my trust. The same sort of thing has happened to me many times before and so I don't put a lot of trust or faith in people. But that line told me that one day, if I don't close myself off, I will find love that does not hurt me and let me down but that I can count on and appreciate without fear of losing it.

I think you could be right @Tatterdemalion44 :-) I think it's about how he doesnt want to see her hurt again or him as a matter of fact. He's trying to see the better side that one day everythings going to be fine again or even better. "There will come a time you'll see with no more tears, and love will not break your heart" I think i'm in love with this line, it sounds so comforting and especially the way its sang. "Get over your hill and see what you'll find there" it's like he's saying move on and it will get better. Instead of staying in the place where they feel all this hurt. Even though its easier said than done but how he sings it is beautiful.

I think this song is beautifully written and performed. Beautiful but yet based on a very harsh time in the writers life. A harsh time that is very similar to what I'm going through at the moment which is why it probably influences me to see it as I do... I well up almost every time I hear it but I think it's about a man that has fell out of love with his long term girlfriend and he's facing the truth that he can't be her anymore. Although he cares for her a lot and loves her, he is no longer in love with her.

After the storm (the terrifying reality of telling her that he is no longer on love and the consequences that follow) I run and run as the rain comes And I look up, I look up, On my knees and out of luck, I look up (the rains coming down and on his knees he looks up, a metaphor to facing the problems head on but being on his knees symbolises how much he cares for her and doesn't want to hurt her)

Night has always pushed up day you must know life to see decay But I won't rot, I won't rot Not this mind and not this heart I won't rot (night has always pushed up days means that things have never been right and you must know life to see decay means you must know life to see things aren't working. And he won't rot, he won't let his heart, mind or life rot in a relationship he is not happy in)

And I took you by the hand And we stood tall (he took her by the hand to comfort her and they both "stood tall", meaning they put aside their petty differences and raised above any immature fighting and came to understand each other) And remembered our own land, What we lived for (remembered our own land and what we lived for is pretty self explanatory, saying that they now both know it's not working and they both remember what they want from life and what they stand for)

And there will come a time you'll see, with no more tears And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears (he's reassuring her and maybe himself that their will be time when they will both find the person they are mean't to be with and love won't break their hearts but this love will be so strong you'll dismiss any fears of it doing so) And get over your hill and see what you find there (get over what has happened and move on to see what you find there) With grace in you heart and flowers in your hair (with peace and happiness in your heart. Flowers in your hair also meaning wonderful times and happiness)

And now I cling to what I knew I saw exactly what was true But oh no more That's why I hold That's why I hold, with all I have That's why I hold

I WILL die alone (is the actual verse) and be left there Well I guess I'll just go home Oh God know's where Cause death is just so full and man so small Well I'm scared of what's behind and what's before (he is definitely now having doubts of whether he has done the right thing although deep down he knows he has. "and now I cling on to what I knew, I saw exactly what was true but oh no more", he is definitely second guessing himself and he is now worried he will dies alone and he is scared of what has just happened and what lies ahead). Everyone that has been through and bad break up understand that at first you fear change and facing life alone but soon realise that you can make it on you own. That is when the tremendous chorus comes back into action and reminds him that life goes on and it will eventual be great again.

If you've actually sat there and read all that and put up with me blabbing on then thank you :)

An absolute epic song which has so much depth and meaning! Love it!

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.

Probably my favorite lyrics. =) It's always something I struggled with; trusting someone to not break my heart. I am paranoid when it comes to that.

is it just me or is this band insanely Christian? i love how theyre able to get Christian meanings behind it without it being over bearing and in your face i just love this group :)

Love Mumford And Sons! Beautifully subtle, honest lyrics about faith...

An observation:

To me, this song is strongly Christian and describes a hope and a longing for heaven, of meeting Christ face-to-face and having him wipe away all tears. It describes a person, weary of and having been hurt by what passes for "love" in this life, who longs to finally experience the fullness of God's perfect love.

Relevant verses: Revelation 21:4 [NIV] ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”; 1 John 4:18 [NIV] "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..."

For me this song represents a time in your life where the purpose of life is questioned. You feel like curling into a ball and giving up on the world, but instead you keep going and open your mind and remain open minded and hopeful.