The man behind th… Read Full Bio ↴Born April 30, 1981 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
The man behind the 'Bon Iver' moniker. Vernon played in "DeYarmond Edison" which included the three current members of Megafaun. Vernon has released two solo albums, "Self-Record" and "Hazeltons". Vernon parted ways with DeYarmond Edison and is currently operating under his Bon Iver project name. His side projects include Volcano Choir, Gayngs, Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I and Anais Mitchell.
Hazelton
Justin Vernon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting dead the sinker and the string
You came, you saw, you sawed her brain
Cut out all the parts that held your stain
Sitting clad you're feeling wild to blame
She's crying as you're climbing down your claim
Sitting up you're counting up your names
Seen enough to bend him off the frame
You came you saw you sawed her brain
Cut out all the parts that held your stain
You clipped you clawed to no applause
You lost the will and bought the lying off
So try to be somebody
So try to feel somebody
So try to leave somebody
So hard to be somebody
(Where can you run)
So try to be somebody
So try to feel somebody
So try to leave somebody
So try to be somebody
The opening lines of Justin Vernon's song Hazelton describe a person who is grappling with the pain and consequences of their past actions. The phrase "settle up" implies that they are trying to come to terms with their mistakes, but the next line "you're calling up the pain" suggests that it is a difficult and painful process. The next line "sitting dead the sinker and the string" is a fishing metaphor. Sinkers are weights used to sink fishing lines, while the string is self-explanatory. This metaphor implies that the person feels heavy, weighed down by their past actions.
The next few lines suggest that this person has caused harm to someone else, probably a romantic partner. They have "sawed her brain" and "cut out all the parts that held your stain", which implies that they have manipulated or traumatized their partner in some way. The next few lines suggest that the partner has left them, and they are feeling angry and bitter towards her for doing so.
The chorus of the song has a repetitive structure, with the lines "So try to be somebody" and "So try to feel somebody" repeated multiple times. These lines suggest that the person is struggling to find their place in the world and to connect with others. They feel isolated and alone, and they are trying to find a way to be happy and fulfilled. The final line "Where can you run" suggests that there is no escape from this pain and isolation, and that the person is trapped in their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Settle up you're calling up the pain
You're intentionally revisiting past pain and hurt, almost as if you enjoy the agony it brings you.
Sitting dead the sinker and the string
Sitting still, lifeless and without purpose.
You came, you saw, you sawed her brain
You entered her mind, found what you didn't like, and changed it to your liking.
Cut out all the parts that held your stain
You removed all the parts of her that reminded you of your own faults and mistakes.
Sitting clad you're feeling wild to blame
You're feeling guilty for what you did, yet you're not doing anything about it.
She's crying as you're climbing down your claim
While you're defending what you did, she's still suffering and feeling the pain of what you did to her.
Sitting up you're counting up your names
You're feeling self-important and counting up all the people you've hurt or affected in some way.
Seen enough to bend him off the frame
You've seen enough of the damage you've caused that it's almost as if you can't handle it anymore.
You clipped you clawed to no applause
You tried to make changes and improve yourself, but nobody seems to care or give you credit for it.
You lost the will and bought the lying off
You lost the motivation to keep trying and gave into lies and deceit from yourself or others.
So try to be somebody
You're still searching for an identity and trying to define yourself.
So try to feel somebody
You're longing for a connection or relationship with someone, anyone, to feel like you're not alone or lost.
So try to leave somebody
You're trying to break free from your past and detach yourself from anyone who reminds you of your own mistakes.
So hard to be somebody
It's difficult to find yourself and feel like you're important or valued in any way.
(Where can you run)
You're feeling trapped and lost, not sure where to go or who to turn to for help or guidance.
So try to be somebody
Repeating this shows that you're still trying to figure out who you are and find your place in the world.
So try to feel somebody
You're still longing for a connection and relationship with others to feel like you're not alone or lost.
So try to leave somebody
You're still trying to break free from your past and detach yourself from anyone who reminds you of your own mistakes.
So try to be somebody
Repeating this again shows the ongoing struggle to find yourself and your place in the world.
Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.