I'm tearing up, across your face
Move dust through the light
To fide your name
It's something fane
This is not a place
Not yet awake, I'm raised to make

Still alive, who you love
Still alive, who you love
Still alive, who you love

In a mother, out a moth
Furling forests for the soft
Gotta know been lead aloft
So I'm ridding all your stories
What I know, what it is, it's pouring, wire it up
You're breaking your ground

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Dredredred

2y↑22

Brandon Eddy

8y↑192

I'm tearing up across your face
Moved us through the light
To find your name
It's something faint
This is not a place, not yet awake
I'm raised of make

Still alive, who you love
Still alive, who you love
Still alive, who you love

In a mother, out a moth
Furling forests for the soft
Gotta know been lead aloft
So I'm ridding all your stories
What I know, what it is
Is pouring, wire it up

You're breaking your ground

Gabriel César

5y↑2

I’m tearing up, across your face
Move dust through the light
To fide your name
It's something fain
This is not a place
Not yet awake, I'll raise the blade

Still alive for you, love
Still alive for you, love
Still alive for you, love

In a mother, out a moth
Furling forests for the soft
Gotta know been lead aloft
So I'm ridding all your stories
What I know, what it is, it's pouring - wire it up!

You're breaking your ground

All comments from YouTube:

The Fish

3y↑124

I'll never forget the first time I REALLY listened to this song, I had heard it on playlists here and there but never gave it what it deserved. I'll never forget laying in bed closing my eyes and just letting the music play. this song is more than music it's one of my favourites of all time. This song makes me feel emotions I've never felt before and I can't help but tell everyone I know to listen to the art that we have had bestowed upon us.

TrippieButters

22w

I relate so much, I always overlooked this song until one drunken night in the bath I listened to is all the way through and cried my eyes out. Great night.

sinchana ;)

2y↑2

THIS. i was laying in bed the first time i heard this song. i felt as if my soul was running away i literally jerked upright to catch it LMAO idk how to explain it but it was life changing

We Dem Goyz

im a rap fan but this song i listened to back in 2013 thats why i remember it...had few of gems like these but ill never find them again

jwh2f

2y↑2

This post speaks to me. I can't even say I'm a Bon Iver fan. But his music...affects me in a way that no other artist does. I cry almost every time I listen to this song.

Nwolnsbby

5y↑262

After finding out Vernon wrote this partly in memory of Heath gives me chills. Somehow Heath's soul found a way into Vernon when he wrote this song and you can hear him as a child running in Australia and the oceans he looked across, his admiration for capturing the essence of existence in his camera, you can hear his voice...his passion...his love of life in every note.

Jenna Welborn

10w↑1

@Leah Mclean okay I wasn’t sure. I really like him

Leah Mclean

10w↑2

@Jenna Welborn Sorry, I'm referring to Heath Ledger. :)

Jenna Welborn

10w

Whose Heath?<3

Frederick Russell II

3y↑1

Spirits

BahaSharc

3y↑3

Well said with beautiful words

1 More Replies...

Miguel Alonso

10w↑3

Despite of the clear Spring sound of this album, this song gives me a lot of Winter vibes, and I think It's made on purpose. For Emma, Forever Ago was made with a very winter sound and Perth is the first song of this second album, so, I think this song sonically reflects the pass of winter to spring

Dr3amBr3ak

10y↑68

This song gives me such feeling of melancholy, yet I'm glad to be living at this precise moment. With all my faults and hard-goings... I'm strong enough to still be here. I'm special... Everyone living is special. We are life. We are living. Without you or I, this world would be so different.

Rosamunde

11w

When you wrote this I was 13. Now im 22 and understand

Spank19the90yanks

8y↑305

one of the best guitar melodies ive ever heard..... really really special this

Mattia Musicò

51w↑1

This is great, try to listen Lucio Battisti-Emozioni

Tristan Killinger

3y↑2

Amen to that.

H

3y↑4

Absolutely.

eldrogas

4y↑6

the best.

H

3y↑47

"perth" is one of the only songs that has me crawling back to it for emotional support.

It drops me to my lowest and induces nostalgia but at the same time it feels like a pat on the back of encouragement.

It's like rebirth, makes me want to keep on living life and to treasure every single moment.

I'm grateful that I am alive today.

Ben Shirley

7y↑124

It's the guitar, man that riff is phenomenal, goosebumps!

Carol M N

5y↑16

and drums

bre

3y↑60

if this song isn’t played at my funeral, then i haven’t lived out my legacy.

JFLO Grappling Academy

16w↑1

If it isn’t played at my funeral then I’m not going

TrippieButters

22w

Amen

Krystal Phan

2y↑1

omg hi there fellow narufan 😍

Daniel Weste

2y↑1

for sure my funeral song

Dredredred

2y↑22

Loki Electro

3y↑154

Everytime for no reason at all I want to hear this song, it's just bring me feelings that I cannot describe but it's similar to saddest and nostalgic for some reason.

Laneythelion

7y↑155

I can't get over how calming and beautiful his voice and songs are.

Raphaelle Anne Barraca

2y↑14

I started listening to Bon Iver recently because of their recent collaboration with Taylor Swift. Initially, I was only looking for songs that use his deep voice because I was obsessed with Exile (Taylor Swift), but I found myself listening to their entire discography, and I love it!

Masingita Chauke

Welcome!

Derek hi

Me too! Although I have to say I’m not the biggest fan after finishing their entire discography, I absolutely love this song and “Hey Ma.”

TheLastLaugh

3y↑26

The whole song is amazing, but 3:23 - 3:40 is genius. The way the tune subtly changes from what it has been.

Leanne Willoughby

11y↑33

2:31 onwards, oh my god. Every single time it kicks in I get goosebumps and my heart beats faster. It is actually so incredible. And to have the video and the visual effects at the same time, makes it even more amazing.

Mohammed Irad Khan

3y↑338

This song will live just the way Heath Ledger will live forever.

SkateAwayTheDay

@jesse pinkman I love Mitch hedberg rip

jesse pinkman

2y↑2

Always rember leath hedger. Lived more than all concerend

Frederick Russell II

3y↑1

ImmorTTal(e)

SKUFFBEATS

3y↑9

I heard he died

Cameron Creasy

3y↑19

When I first moved out of the country to the big city, this song happened to be playing as I drove through downtown on my way to my first apartment for the first time. It was sight unseen, and a move to save my life. I was close to ending it.

It happened to be raining at the time, and the sight of so many lights shining in the sky and reflecting off of the black ground astounded me. I realized that each light represented some kind of life. Whether it was someone living in a high rise, or someone toiling away late in their office.

I truly cannot explain the depth of the sensation that washed through me at that moment. I think the closest I'll ever get, is that it was simply the feeling of destiny. I really believe that it was fated. All of the secret energies of the universe converged towards me in that one moment. This insignificant child who was lucky enough to feel it. That one special moment was meant to change me- body and soul.

Coy.

@Aniket Jain kinda random but I love how understanding you are
Thanks for listening to me ramble about stuff that makes me happy lol

Aniket Jain

3y↑1

It's really beautiful. I understand what you feel. Though I didn't mived out of the country even though I want to, I still understand what you said.

mk whole

1y↑10

Hits deep in the soul everytime

tofu farmer

11y↑8

Damn. Every time I hear that opening guitar riff, I die a little inside. Six strings so full of pain. I love it.

Elise Crespin

Chills everytime... Crazy how we can feel Heath's soul through this song. You did an amazing job here Justin Vernon.

Lilliana

1y↑5

Thank you Daniel Ricciardo for introducing me to this song. And thank you to Bon Iver for writing such a nostalgic and poetic piece of music that captures every inch and detail of home, even if you're not from Perth. I moved away from my hometown, recently, to a big city and whenever I feel a sense of longing or homesickness, I simply put this song on and take myself back to the streets of where I grew up. Music is a funny thing but it sure is beautiful.

Cela Lauren

29w↑1

It’s a sadness and nostalgia then the instrumental at the end is like falling in love after loosing someone. Like it’s okay to live your life again and to appreciate that your still here. Idk how tf they for all this in a song but god damn it’s one of my all time favorites.

Saphire Gem

8y↑103

The voices at 00:40 just made my heart sink. So beautiful.

Sunny borah

ohh yess the far away voices echoeing

Javier Alvarado

Oh yeahh :]

Ryan Devore

2y↑13

I don't know how someone is capable of making such beautiful music

Amartya Chatterjee

51w↑4

I wish I could have that feeling again when I heard this song for the first time. What a surreal feeling it was. I was amazed by the creation...

torinko brown

4y↑2

I was introduced to Bon Iver around 4 to 5 years ago. This song immediately struck me. It never becomes boring and I listen to it all year round. Any time of day. I don't talk to the person who introduced me to this music anymore but I will forever be grateful for his recommendation😊

Edwin Wåhlander

42w↑2

Sitting here alone in my room and have a depressed moment, this song just makes me feel better in every stage. Thank U!

PaperWolfe

10y↑22

Melancholy, nostalgia, acceptance. So many feelings!

princess

4y↑4

This is my all time favorite song and has been since 2014, still haven’t gotten tired of listening to it. I saw them live in October of last year, and when they started playing this song I burst out crying, it was just amazing

Dobby the free elf

43w↑1

I'll never forget the first time I watched this video. I was 17, in the computer lab at my school. Just in awe.

Ana Passos

5y↑1

ouvi a música no documentário "I am Heath Ledger" e adorei. Linda 💜

Miguel Galván

8y↑2

Absoluta maestría de canción.

Larry Calderon

11y↑1

All of the videos that he made for this album are pieces of art! Literally giving me chills at the library right now. Definitely watching them all instead of writing this paper.

crowdedtempo

10y↑1

A while ago I sad in the plane from Berlin to Denmark. It was night. I had this song in my ears, while watching Copenhagen by night as we flew. Beautifull lights and darkness mixed together. In all this i thought about the person I am in love with. Made me drop a tear <3

czesczuzia

3y↑6

this melody...it's so different, makes me feel like im slowly flying away, to a better tommorow, to something good...it's so calming, i feel like it's telling me that everything is going to be alright in the end...

Roland Who Has a Beard

11y↑1

This album is insanely gorgeous. He really did a good job transferring that aural beauty into these 10 magnificent videos. Absolutely stunning.

nguitarm

10y↑1

UAU. It's amazing the atmosphere you're able to create in our heads! I'm already at Full throttle here!!! Powerful this one is and the force is strong with you guys! Keep it goin'. cheers from Portugal

xXFish_ToesXx

4y↑3

This is the most beautiful song i have ever heard. Ive heard it about a million times over and each time it nearly brings me to tears

Adrian Regan

9y↑3

This song is simply amazing! So much emotion.

Zachflintstone

11y↑2

god what a sound, I hope he wins all the grammys he's nominated for

Quérgia Yasmin

7y↑1

Música linda! Música perfeita!

Georgie Rose

11y↑1

Thank God for Bon Iver and his incredible ability to fit so much feeling into songs.

Alex Odnoralov

11y↑3

Definitely my favorite song from him!

Jatera Simmons

10y

This song is amazingly powerful live! They opened their show with it at Radio City Music Hall last September. Love them!!!

MysticNetherlands

9y↑2

I only recently discovered Bon Iver, but I love it. Beautiful. God bless yall.

PD4life

11y↑4

I know I may be new to the whole Boniver/Justin Vernon crowd, but GOD DAMN this band is pure!! I could never hate a song produced by them with the passion that they bring to my ears.

Captain Cranberry

YESSSIR

Colin Farnsworth

This one really hits the heart strings deeply. Always has, always will.

Samia Aoun

1y↑1

One of the songs that I will never forget while I am living. Many feelings ❤️ thank you

Brandon Eddy

8y↑192

Jesse H.

These are NOT the lyrics

Like, at all.

William Holmes

5y↑1

not even close

Laura Beth

5y↑6

The Brandylion close but no.

Entertainment Unit

8y↑2

Right up there with some of the best songs of all time.

Liineya

5y↑2

the best Bon Iver song imo. just breathtakingly beautiful and so much power.

Alfred Pennyworth

11y

Love this band, and bands alike. My best friend introduced me to this kind of music not too long ago, and it's really starting to grow on me.

Sara Cabanas

10y

they are truly amazing. I've seen them live and it was the best feelling on earth.Just true love and true music. One day, I will be 80 years old and i will listen to this. They're epic.

bymaxxie

2y↑1

I have heard a loooooooot of music of different genres, almost everyday I listen to different songs and I collect the ones that I like more. But Perth is just in another level. This is the only song that make me feel like this

Aaron Hilliker

My freshman year of high school, our marching band show opened with an adaptation of this song. It was a really powerful show too: the concept was that a fictional high school student had died in a school shooting, and the rest of the show was about what would've happened if she had lived (graduation as "Pomp and Circumstance" played, falling in love as we played "All of Me" by John Legend). I did seven more years of marching band after that, including my last season of college marching that I just finished, but that show is still one of my favorites I've been in, and the opening of this song with the guitar and the snare drum takes me back every time. Music is awesome y'all

Chewie C

10y

it is so friggin clean! damn awesome! can never get that tone without much attempts on a multi fx!

Esteban Delgadillo

49w

Este tema me transporta a mejores tiempos, gracias por esta canción tan hermosa, siempre va a estar en mi corazón.

MrVocalist101

This songs so beautiful, almost haunting to me!, the chords and the arrangement are literally mesmerising!!

/.OZzzzyD.\

Much respect to you Bon and the band. I love your music brudda. I would say you should be more well known, but you're better as free men.

Mr.JeanJeans

22w↑1

Awesome song, hope to see you in live one day!

funnytasteonmytongue

10y

i had the luck to see them live and it was AMAZING! with such soul and emotion, just incredible!!

Davina Martinez

10y↑1

i absolutely LOVE this song! i was in a cruddy mood til i listened to it :)

squishymywthi

11y

I cannot explain how much love I feel for this song. it feels like it fills me up and I almost drown into it.

Alleya Hanifa

11y↑22

"Cinematography by Justin Vernon" Damn, he's a true artist!

Bruno Lérias de Almeida

10y

I did too, last July! They also opened here in Lisbon (Portugal) with it! Epic stuff really, i liked to hear them but i thought it was gonna be a "slow type" of concert, turned out to be one of the best live performances i ever saw live, and i have seen a few in my 32 years, greater and smaller names.If possible, you gotta go see them live..Re:Stacks still makes my eyes watery when i hear it since then, and its been almost 1 year.

eilidh bradley

10y↑1

hearing this live was one of my most favourite moments of 2012

c4h10fo2p

11y

Amazing! Gave me chills with a topping of nostalgic bliss whipped ontop.

Rizwan Khan

3y↑6

i want to play this song inside my brain. one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Ruben Jatho

Well you do, technically

Lucas K

11y

Seeing this live was one of the best things ever!

Wil Taylor

5y↑1

3:44 Just a perfect release of built up emotion, expressed musically.

Sam Allesandrine

Wil Taylor so true.

u2soadfan

11y

Song gives me chills almost every time. Great video accompaniment.

darksun973

10y↑1

Wow such a magical song. It's like there is the whole world's feelings in it !!

Emmahl07

10y

Absolutely amazing! There are so many emotions in this song.

HE360

11y

I've never heard of Bon Iver until now and now I would like to hear and see more of his music.

Kwame Nyantakyi

10y

Just close your eyes and listen. I can't explain what this sound does to me, i feel so nostaligic yet so peacefull. EPIC

Emeh is bored

I literally don't know any context of this song nor did I know about the band but when my boyfriend showed me this song recently, it just fills me with a massive feeling of nostalgia every time I hear it but I don't even picture anything to feel nostalgic about, Is just like the pure feeling smashed onto my face and almost makes me want to cry. I dont know if that's only me but wow... It's a pure masterpice

Alfred Pennyworth

11y

I love this song...(The band is excellent too!)

Meloncholy19

for me this song is really closely tied to my ex fiancee and it really hurts to listen to but I can't just not listen to this beautiful track and the extreme range of emations it gives me with the deep feelings I have attached to it is both depressing and incredible.

Matthew Garcia

1y↑1

This song still fills me with hope.

Sunny borah

2y↑1

3:26 one of the greatest moments in the history of music.

Ismene Edecaste

3y↑32

I feel like this song sounds like what love is..

Hans Squirrel

3y↑1

painful and beautiful at once?

JTW JTW

1y↑1

Can imagine Heath smiling with pride at this masterpiece. 14 years today, may he forever live on within our hearts 🌠

Gabriel César

5y↑2

Tony

9y↑66

This is Indie-folk/metal. Love the percussion so much.

Blake Elledge

That percussion is like good crack 😂 just keeps me coming back lol

joeplaysguitar

3y↑1

Brendan McDonald Justin himself’s said that part is atmospheric black-metal inspired

joeplaysguitar

3y↑1

That in the middle is such a post-metal riff— like Deafheaven or Jesu or something

Lewis North

@Melissa Groce I know this comment is 5 years old but I'm just glad I found someone who knows who mutemath is 😂

Lime

5y↑1

It’s what Phil Elverum of Mount Eerie might call “Black Wooden”.

8 More Replies...

Kalveer Biradar

9y↑3

perfect music while flying across a cloudy day

Oliver

4y↑1

Yo I saw Bon Iver in Blackpool back in 2017 and the moment I heard the opening chord to this song I literally started tearing up, so powerful

christina smith

9y↑3

Can never go wrong with listening to this album... One of the best...

Dillon Currie

11y

My god, this is magical. This entire playlist is brilliant.

PazContigo

11y

When art meets art! This is incredibly creative. Both of it!

TJofDaWestunes

11y

Listening to Bon Iver is like watching paint dry on a beautiful house. I don't know if thats a good thing or a bad thing but I like the albums

Gwen & Clem Gumbrell

Just the most haunting piece of music I have ever heard, makes me physically ache it’s so beautiful.

Dudu Costa

10y

Bon Iver foi uma das mais importantes descobertas que fiz nos últimos tempos...

Moi Re

17w

this intro give me chills every time

Yasmine Tassembedo

Oh LORD!! This is so beautiful..
Everything was PERFECT.
THANK YOU 🙏

BonoLightier

10y

The best piece of art I ever heard in my life!

Age Cali

3y↑1

Yea, this gotta be my favorite from them. The guitar is undeniable

desotronics

Justin carries all the sadness we feel and translates that to music.
Glorious.

Mange Schmidt

9y↑1

the intro always gives me chills

gaypopper

7y↑68

2016 May and still here for that beginning part. Just addictive

eightbO

Come back on 2019 bro this song is calling you.

Youtube Hesabı

2y↑1

İlk dinlediğimde anlamamıştım değerini , gerçi ilkler klasmanında olan neyi anladım ki hayatta , çok anlam ifade ediyorsun bana bir şarkı olarak , daha öte birşey bu çok öte birşey ..