Woodland by The Paper Kites Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Mystique of a Modern Folk Odyssey
Lyrics
The beasts wont stop till we’re dead
All the scrapes on our knees
Will tell you where we’ve been, where we have bled.
Oh we play,
In autumn days
Won’t lay down our heads till the day is won
Won’t stop running till we reach the sun
Chasing all the things that are keeping us young
We won’t stop running till we reach the sun
Oh we’re building a home
With the mud and the stones and the branches we bind
We’re all just searching for something
Bigger than we’re all able to find
Oh we play,
In autumn days
Won’t lay down our heads till the day is won
Won’t stop running till we reach the sun
Chasing all the things that are keeping us young
We won’t stop running till we reach the sun
We are all creatures of the sun
We’re all children of the rain
We’re just chasin’ what we can
Ahh, ahh
Won’t lay down our heads till the day is won
Won’t stop running till we reach the sun
Chasing all the things that are keeping us young
We won’t stop running till we reach the sun
All the scrapes on our knees
Will tell you where we’ve been, where we have bled
The Australian indie folk-rock band The Paper Kites has a knack for weaving intricate tapestries of sound and story. ‘Woodland’, a track off their 2011 EP of the same name, is no different, managing to both haunt and inspire with its ethereal melody and poignant lyrics.
At first listen, the song may simply register as a beautifully crafted piece of indie folk music. However, a deep dive into the lyrics of ‘Woodland’ reveals a complex narrative and a myriad of themes ranging from resilience and determination to the human connection with nature. Let’s explore the invisible threads that make ‘Woodland’ a modern-day folk anthem.
A Race Against Time and Nature: The Relentless Pursuit
From the opening line, ‘Woodland’ immerses us in a vivid story of escape and pursuit. The song captures the essence of a relentless journey, perhaps metaphorical, possibly literal, where slowing down is synonymous with demise. The imagery of beasts on one’s trail paints a stark picture of the struggles we face in life – the relentless nature of time, societal expectations, or perhaps our inner demons.
The Paper Kites instill a sense of urgency that resonates with anyone who has felt the pressures of the modern world. This urgency propels the listener through the song, mirroring the journey the lyrics depict. It’s a universal struggle against stagnation, an ode to the nomadic spirit buried within us all.
The Metaphorical Skin We Wear: Understanding the Scrapes and Scars
Each ‘scrape’ and ‘bleed’ is emblematic of life’s traumas and trials. The Paper Kites don’t mundanely focus on the wounds themselves but rather what they represent – the experiences that shape our journey. These marks are not of defeat, but badges of survival and perseverance, carrying the wisdom of the paths traveled.
The band conveys an accepting, almost proud acknowledgment of these scars. They are reminders of resilience, serving as a testament to the distances one has traversed in search of something more, a testament to life’s arduous pilgrimage.
Chasing Eternity: The Quest for the Sun
What is this ‘sun’ that The Paper Kites speak of? It could be a metaphor for dreams, aspirations, or perhaps the simple daily victories that keep us mentally and spiritually afloat. The chorus serves as a resounding declaration of the longing for warmth and light that is fundamentally human.
The continual chase, ’till we reach the sun’, is an acknowledgment of the never-ending human desire to strive for something greater. It’s a melodic manifesto that encourages pushing boundaries and embracing the journey, no matter how Sisyphean it may seem.
Building Foundations: The Search for a Place in the World
‘Woodland’ speaks to the deep-seated human instinct to build and belong. The ‘mud and the stones and the branches we bind’ are symbolic of the resources we gather and relationships we forge to create our sanctuary in this world, whether that’s a home, a community, or a sense of identity.
Yet, there’s an inherent understanding that what we’re constructing is temporary, fragile, and perhaps not as grandiose as we’d hoped. The song recognizes our limitations and humbles us amid our grand ambitions, perhaps a reflection of the naivety of youth or the idealism inherent in the human condition.
Unveiling the Hidden Meaning: A Hymn to Youth and Time
Hidden beneath the rustic acoustics lies a profound meditation on youth – its fleeting nature and the fervent attempt to cling to its effervescence. ‘Woodland’ addresses the paradox of aging, where every endeavor to seize the day is also a stark reminder of its passing.
It’s an anthem for those consumed by the lightness of being young and the relentless chase for what sparks joy, energy, and love. This track becomes less a narrative and more a temporal space for listeners to reflect on their own ‘autumn days’, their own youth – past, present, or future.
