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Ragged Wood
Fleet Foxes Lyrics


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Come down from the mountain, you have been gone too long
The spring is upon us, follow my only song
Settle down with me by the fire of my yearning
You should come back home, back on your own now

The world is alive now, in and outside our home
You run through the forest, settle before the sun
Darling, I can barely remember you beside me
You should come back home, back on your own now

You should come back home, back on your own now

In the evening light, when the woman of the woods came by
To give to you the word of the old man
In the morning tide, when the sparrow and the seagull fly
And Johnathan and Evelyn get tired

Lie to me if you will
At the top of Beringer Hill
Tell me anything you want
Any old lie will do
Call me back to you

Back to you

Lie to me if you will
At the top of Beringer Hill
Tell me anything you want
Any old lie will do
Call me back to you
Back to you
Back to you
Back to you
Back to you
Back to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Ragged Wood" by Fleet Foxes is a beautiful, evocative piece that captures the essence of longing, nostalgia, and the urge to return home. The opening lines, "Come down from the mountain, you have been gone too long / The spring is upon us, follow my only song," suggest that the singer is urging someone to return home after a long absence. The imagery of the spring season suggests a time of renewal and rebirth, which the singer hopes will inspire the person to settle down with him "by the fire of [his] yearning."


The second verse further emphasizes the beauty and life of the world outside, with references to running through the forest and settling before the sun. However, the singer admits he can "barely remember you beside me," suggesting a deep sense of loss and the desire to reconnect. The repeated refrain of "You should come back home, back on your own now" reinforces the singer's plea for the other person to return home and find their own way once again.


The final verses introduce new characters, a woman of the woods and the birds Jonathan and Evelyn, to create a vivid sense of place and atmosphere. The repeated lines "Lie to me if you will / At the top of Beringer Hill / Tell me anything you want / Any old lie will do" suggest a willingness to believe in anything, no matter how improbable, in order to be brought back to the one he longs for. The song ends with a final plea to be called back, underscored by the haunting repetition of "Back to you."


Overall, "Ragged Wood" is a moving exploration of longing, loss, and the desire to return home. Through evocative imagery and richly layered vocals, Fleet Foxes create a sense of nostalgia and yearning that resonates deeply with listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

Come down from the mountain, you have been gone too long
You've been gone away for too long, it's time to come back.


The spring is upon us, follow my only song
It's springtime, time to come back and follow my lead.


Settle down with me by the fire of my yearning
Stay with me and let my passion warm you.


You should come back home, back on your own now
It's time to come home and be on your own again.


The world is alive now, in and outside our home
Everything is vibrant and alive, both in and outside our home.


You run through the forest, settle before the sun
You're racing through life, slowing down before sunset.


Darling, I can barely remember you beside me
It's been so long since we've been together that I can barely remember it.


In the evening light, when the woman of the woods came by
The woman of the woods appeared in the evening light.


To give to you the word of the old man
She shared the wisdom of an old man with you.


In the morning tide, when the sparrow and the seagull fly
Birds fly in the morning tide.


And Johnathan and Evelyn get tired
Jonathan and Evelyn are tired.


Lie to me if you will
Deceive me if it makes you feel better.


At the top of Beringer Hill
At the summit of Beringer Hill.


Tell me anything you want
You can say anything you feel like telling me.


Any old lie will do
Any falsehood will suffice for now.


Call me back to you
Bring me back to you.


Back to you
Back to you.


Back to you
Back to you.


Back to you
Back to you.


Back to you
Back to you.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robin Noel Pecknold

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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