Black Flies by Ben Howard Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Metaphorical Depths
Lyrics
That we are
That we are
That we are to know
Winter stole summer’s thrill
And the river’s cracked and cold
See the sky is no man’s land
A darkened plume to stay
Hope here needs a humble hand
Not a fox found in your place
And no man is an island, this I know
But can’t you see? Oh
Maybe you were the ocean when I was just a stone
Black flies on the windowsill
That we are
That we are
That we are to hold
Comfort came against my will
And every story must grow old
Still, I’ll be a traveler
A gypsy’s reins to face
But the road is wearier
With that fool found in your place
And no man is an island, this I know
But can’t you see? Oh
Maybe you were the ocean when I was just a stone
No man is an island, this I know
But can’t you see?
Maybe you were the ocean when I was just a stone
So here we are
And I don’t wanna beg your pardon
And I don’t wanna ask you why
But if I was to go my own way
Would I have to pass you by?
Oh, I don’t wanna beg your pardon
And I don’t wanna ask you why
But if I was to go my own way
Would I have to pass you by?
Melancholy yet strikingly beautiful, Ben Howard’s ‘Black Flies’ is a song that transcends the folk genre, weaving an intricate tapestry of despair and introspection. The track, nestled in the heart of Howard’s acclaimed album ‘Every Kingdom’, stands as a testament to his profound lyrical prowess.
Each word in ‘Black Flies’ carries a weight that sinks deep into the soul, painting a vivid picture of transformation and the inherent loneliness of personal growth. This piece delves into the poetic maze Howard constructs, searching for clarity amidst the haunting melodies and somber verses.
Metaphors as Windows to the Soul
The song opens with a simple yet evocative image – black flies on the windowsill – an representation of the unwanted thoughts or memories that linger in the corners of our minds, unwelcome but ever-present. ‘Black Flies’ uses nature’s own parables to echo the human condition, as winter’s chilling theft of summer’s warmth illustrates the harsh transitions in life.
Howard’s lyrics are dense with metaphorical layers, challenging listeners to reflect on their own experiences of isolation and change. The symbiosis of lyrics and melody invite us to contemplate the presence of ‘black flies’ in our own lives and the myriad of ways the passing of seasons affects our personal narratives.
The Song’s Hidden Wisdom: Overcoming Isolation
While ‘Black Flies’ can be perceived as an elegy to sorrow, it quietly whispers the ancient adage ‘no man is an island.’ This refrain serves as a beacon of connectivity in an otherwise lonely soundscape, reminding us that solidarity is our inherent state, despite feeling adrift in a ‘sea’ of individualism and self-reliance.
In his acknowledgment that ‘maybe you were the ocean when I was just a stone,’ Howard acknowledges both the formative impact of relationships and the possibility that, in our darkest moments, we were never truly alone. It’s a haunting realization of dependency and the underappreciated bonds that shape us.
A Melancholic Earworm: ‘Maybe you were the ocean when I was just a stone’
This poignant line is the lyrical fulcrum upon which ‘Black Flies’ balances. It encapsulates the essence of both the song’s grief and its beauty – the admittance of one’s smallness in comparison to the magnitude of another. The line invokes a universal longing for connection and recognition, even as it whispers of resignation and missed opportunities.
Stirring and memorable, these words bind the listener to the narrative, engendering a shared sense of introspection and a quiet acknowledgement that perhaps our greatest influences come from the most unexpected places and people.
The ‘Traveler’ Archetype and Its Weary Path
Ben Howard paints himself as the perennial traveler, a motif not unfamiliar in the realm of poetic storytelling. This cosmic vagabond faces the ‘gypsy’s reins,’ symbolizing the struggle against the uncontrollable forces that guide our journey through life.
Yet, in the admittance of weariness, ‘Black Flies’ embraces the inevitability of fatigue and the growing weight of continuance. The ‘fool’ found in one’s place is perhaps the naivety within us all, a former self who underestimated the road’s true toll. Through Howard’s eyes, we understand that life’s wanderings are as much about the terrain within as the world without.
Questioning Fate Without Expectation of Answers
The song’s concluding sentiment, instead of seeking pardon or demanding an explanation for life’s unpredictability, embodies the resolution of acceptance. Howard contemplates a divergence of paths without the plea for absolution or understanding— a potent stance of self-reliance amidst the wreckage of conjecture.
With each repetition of not wanting to ‘beg your pardon’ or ‘ask you why,’ listeners are invited to confront their own crossroads with courage and dignity. Howard encapsulates a philosophy of quiet rebellion against the expectations to justify one’s course, a bold proclamation of autonomy echoed in the softest of struggles.
