Ho Hey
The Lumineers Lyrics

(Ho) I been tryin' to do it right
I have been making an effort to be a better person.

(Hey) I been livin' a lonely life
Despite my efforts to be a better person, I've been feeling isolated and alone.

(Ho) I been sleepin' here instead
I've been sleeping in my present situation rather than making changes to better my life.

(Hey) I been sleepin' in my bed
I have been physically sleeping in my own bed, but feeling emotionally distant from others.

(Ho) so show me family
I am searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance from a group of people who accept me as family.

(Hey) all the blood that I will bleed
I am willing to give my all to this family and be a loyal member despite the challenges I may face.

(Ho) I don't know where I belong
I am puzzled and uncertain about where I fit in and where I should be in life.

(Hey) I don't know where I went wrong
I am not sure where I made mistakes that led me to my current uncertain state of being.

(Ho) but I can write a song
Despite my confusion, I can use music as an outlet to express how I feel and make sense of my situation.

(Hey)
This line is repeated, perhaps to signify that the artist is reflecting or pondering.

(Ho) I belong with you, you belong with me
The singer believes that they and their listener should be together, as they are meant to be soulmates.

(Hey) come on, now
This line is used to convey a sense of urgency or excitement, as if the artist is trying to persuade the listener to come with them.

(Ho) I don't think you're right for him
The singer believes that their listener's current partner is not the right fit for them.

(Hey) think of what it might've been if we
The singer is asking the listener to consider an alternate reality where they are together instead of the listener's current partner.

(Ho) took a bus to Chinatown
The singer imagines a scenario where they and the listener take a spontaneous adventure to a unique place like Chinatown.

(Hey) I'd be standin' on Canal
The listener would find themselves in a new environment, such as Canal Street in Chinatown, with the artist as their guide.

(Ho) and Bowery
Bowery is a street in Manhattan, suggesting that the artist is excited about another new and unique location.

(Hey)
Again, this repeated line seems to act as a moment of reflection, perhaps allowing the listener to consider the scenario.

(Ho) she'd be standin' next to me
In this imaginary scenario, the singer and the listener are standing close to each other, with the singer feeling closer to the listener than ever before.

(Hey)
This repeat line serves as a moment of excitement or anticipation, like the listener is getting ready to say yes to the artist's proposal.

Love, we need it now
The artist expresses a need for love in their life, indicating that love is a crucial aspect of human existence.

Let's hope for some
The artist suggests holding out hope for finding love and better circumstances.

'Cause, oh, we're bleedin' out
The sense of urgency and desperation is reinforced here, with the singer implying that they and the listener are emotionally hurting and in need of healing.

(Ho)
This repeated line acts as a bookend to the song, like bringing the story to a close after the artist has made their case to the listener.

(Hey)
Another repeated line, this one seems to act as a moment for reflection after the urgency and excitement of the chorus has abated.