“The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
On “The Cave”, the narrator seeks to find hope and strength to start afresh amidst a painful situation. It is possible that he may be referring to moving on from a relationship which was fraught with pain and hardships.
The first line captures the sadness experienced by the protagonist, while the next lines in the first verse imply that things are slowly getting better despite the problems caused by his former partner. He also seems to suggest that this person was deliberately trying to hurt him or make him lose his purpose in life.
In the chorus, he renews his perspective by stating that he will look to the future and hope for the best instead of allowing both parties to be defeated by his partner’s bad decisions. The singer also realizes that in order to open a new chapter of his life, he has to change his own ways, while using the pain he feels as a stimulus to make him a better person.
The third verse also presents the idea that after going through the dark, cave moments, he has been transformed and now sees the world in a different light. He is ready to live freely and is eager to fulfill his true purpose.
Facts about “The Cave”
“The Cave” is the third single on their maiden album, “Sigh No More”. It was recorded somewhere in 2009 but released on the 26th of February, 2010.
Even before its release, “The Cave” was quite popular in America. For example, Triple J even ranked it among 2009’s hottest songs months before its official release.
In the US, this track sold more than 1.6 million digital copies by September 2012.
It reached a peak of 31 in both Canada and the United Kingdom. And in the United States’ most important singles chart, Hot 100, it charted within the top 30 of the chart, actually reaching number 27.
The music video which was directed by Fred & Nick, was shot in Goa, India. Apparently, guitarist and banjoist Winston Marshall learned the Hindi lines for the song 15 minutes before the video was shot.
During the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, The Cave earned four nominations, making it one of the most nominated songs of that awards night. Below are the nominations:
- “Song of the Year” (lost to Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep“)
- “Best Rock Song” (lost to Foo Fighters’ “Walk“)
- “Best Rock Performance” (was defeated again by “Walk”)
- “Record of the Year” (lost again to the aforementioned Adele song)
Creation Credits
Writing: M. Mumford, T. Dwane, W. Marshall and B. Lovett
Production Credits: Markus Dravs
What about recovering from addiction? I’m doing that as we speak and I find meaning in those lyrics 🙂
It’s been 11mo’s so you’ll probably never see this but if you do I want you to know that Someone in the World is Rooting for You and is Very Proud of You! Even if you have fallen down since. Because It doesn’t matter how many times we fall as long as We Get Back Up and try Again. I have been C&S for 6yrs 3mos & 13days. I didn’t think it was possible but hell if I can do it so can you.
FYI This song is Definitely about Addiction.
LOVE ~N~ LIGHT
They may not have seen that response, but I did, and I needed to see those words just as much <3
Just looking at this webpage and I would like to say to please continue with your inner strength which you have despite the despair you may feel at times. Take care & be safe.
I’m not sure if my first comment ever posted?! I don’t see it…
I see it 🙂
ONE
or what about America? it could be about a person from a from a foreign country trying to seek refuge in America
first two lines about escaping said country and the rest of verse one about the country
the chorus is about how the writer is willing to keep hope and is looking forward to the future but wont forget the choices of their past.
once again willing to move on but wont forget in the second verse as he is doing better things and working on his life and doing better things than being depressed. then in the next part of the verse is memories from his country depicted as war torn, and the last line of the verse being called to the military maybe.
once again in the chorus reflecting and keeping hope
then in the third verse the writer starts paying attention to the political movements and how horribly treated refugees are being treated in America. this would be “coming out the of the cave” as the author is no longer blinded by falsities he was told. then “see the the world hanging upside down” is seeing the world through a different view, through maybe a more pessimistic view. “you can understand dependence when you know the maker’s land” is referencing to history when the founding fathers made the laws of America but as we know was not made to refugees. the next part of the song references freedom which America defiantly likes to say they are free
then again despite all that could be done to them here they stayed as it was best place for them right now and still had hope despite what was happening around them
This song is absolutely about « breaking up » with mainstream Christianity, the church, etc.
Though like all great songs, it can be interpreted in a number of ways, so remove « Christianity » and replace it with « America » or « Addiction » or « that abusive partner », and you get the same result.
The not-so-subtle nod to Plato is a nice touch.
the hanged man card is all the imagery I keep getting lol
It’s actually based on Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” from his book The Republic.
Please explain!
I recently heard the song has something to do with abuse from the writer’s childhood…which still corresponds well with the above interpretation… other than the abuser would not have been a partner, rather more a perp.