Literary Lyrics: "Hopeless Wanderer" by Mumford & Sons

Do you guys have favorite songs? I have one consistent song that is my all-time favorite and that is irreplaceable -- but I also tend to have a "current" favorite song, the one that I feel like listening to on repeat for days at a time. Right now, that song is "Hopeless Wanderer" by Mumford & Sons. Enjoy!

You heard my voice I came out of the woods by choice
Shelter also gave their shade
But in the dark I have no name

So leave that click in my head
And I will remember the words that you said
Left a clouded mind and a heavy heart
But I was sure we could see a new start

So when your hope's on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road

But hold me fast, Hold me fast
'Cause I'm a hopeless wanderer
And hold me fast, Hold me fast
'Cause I'm a hopeless wanderer

I wrestled long with my youth
We tried so hard to live in the truth
But do not tell me all is fine
When I lose my head, I lose my spine

So leave that click in my head
And I won't remember the words that you said
You brought me out from the cold
Now, how I long, how I long to grow old

So when your hope's on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road

But hold me fast, Hold me fast
'Cause I'm a hopeless wanderer
And hold me fast, Hold me fast
'Cause I'm a hopeless wanderer
I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I'm under
I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I'm under
The skies I'm under

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