Literary Lyrics: "Timshel" by Mumford and Sons

Having recently reread East of Eden, I've become re-enchanted with the whole concept of timshel, which is a Hebrew word used in Genesis in the Old Testament when God is chastising Cain for giving an unacceptable offering. The word means "Thou mayest" and in the book is used to illustrate that all people have a choice to overcome the influences and natural urges of their lives -- basically to triumph over sin.

Lately I've been listening to Mumford & Sons (I know I'm a little behind the times) and when I saw that they had a song called "Timshel" I had to see if it had any tie to East of Eden (because honestly, how could it not?). The references are fairly vague but if you've read the book you can see it -- the references to brothers is clearly a Cain/Abel/Aron/Cal/Adam/Charles reference (yes, lots of brotherly relationships in this book), the reference to a mother could be Cathy (as well as the reference to a cold, cold mind), and the book directly refers to the concept of timshel as man's ladder to the stars. So there you go. Way to write an intelligent song, Mumford & Sons. :)

Timshel

Cold is the water
It freezes your already cold mind
Already cold, cold mind
And death is at your doorstep
And it will steal your innocence
But it will not steal your substance

But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand
Hold your hand

And you are the mother
The mother of your baby child
The one to whom you gave life
And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars

But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand
Hold your hand

And I will tell the night
Whisper, "Lose your sight"
But I can't move the mountains for you
- Mumford and Sons