In the Wake of An Iron Wind
Alda Lyrics


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The firmament tears, transmuting terror into rage
Overcome and cast aside... this body of shorn limbs
And torn veins...

Gazing into the well of memory
We saw mountains in our bones
And rivers in out blood
From the forest to our flesh, a mirror
Of granite, cedar, and fir

Rekindling ancestral fire we struggle to our feet
With wounds open in our hearts
And a furnace in our minds
And we are as we once were
Though buried by these times




Bereaved, and seeking shelter
In the wake of an iron wind.

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "In the Wake of an Iron Wind" by Alda describes a catastrophic event so devastating that it tears apart the sky itself. The ensuing chaos transforms fear into anger, motivating those who survive to move forward despite their gruesome injuries. They are driven by the desire to reclaim their lost humanity, resisting the forces that have separated them from the earth and rendered them nearly unrecognizable. The second verse is more introspective, and reflects on the roots of their collective identity. The lyrics evoke a sense of the natural world being intimately connected with their ancestral memories, embodied in the mountains that pulse through their bones and the rivers that flow through their veins.


The natural world is critical to the survival of the singers in Alda's piece. Elements from the arctic to the forest connect to the wounded and reconstructed state of their beings. By using the term "ancestral fire" in the stanza, Alda suggests that through reflection they are able to reconnect with a primeval sense of self that acts as a source of hope, resilience, and strength in the midst of total destruction. The lyrics imply a deep reverence for the natural world as a critical component of a collective identity that has been fractured by the tumultuous birth-pangs of modernity. Through a journey to the mind and heart, the song shows the urgency of reclaiming one's place in the world despite the harshness of life's experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

The firmament tears, transmuting terror into rage
The sky splits apart transforming fear into fury


Overcome and cast aside... this body of shorn limbs
Conquer and discard... this mutilated body


And torn veins...
And ruptured blood vessels...


Gazing into the well of memory
Looking deeply into the pool of remembrance


We saw mountains in our bones
We perceived peaks within our bones


And rivers in out blood
And streams within our blood


From the forest to our flesh, a mirror
Like a reflection from forest to our bodies


Of granite, cedar, and fir
Comprising granite, cedar, and fir


Rekindling ancestral fire we struggle to our feet
Reviving the flame of our forefathers, we strive to stand


With wounds open in our hearts
Bearing open wounds within our hearts


And a furnace in our minds
And a blazing furnace within our minds


And we are as we once were
And we are like how we used to be


Though buried by these times
Though buried by these moments


Bereaved, and seeking shelter
Mourning, and searching for refuge


In the wake of an iron wind.
In the aftermath of a fierce tempest.




Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Dylan Valorfall

Tremolo riff @ 4:20 is fucking god tier.

Kodie Cigar

was listining to this on a plane flight home yesterday evening, sun was going down and I had an excellent view of mt baker from just north of vancouver glazed in orange light. one of the best experiences Ive had listening to music.

Nhathrakh

one of the best album i ever heard. this band should be more known.

Anna Cosima

This song so versatile, it's perfect!

radMisc

7:00 this is probably on my top 3 bm goosebumps moments along with the I Troldskog Faren Vild intro. So simple so beautiful

Pedro Joel

masterpiece .. my favorite song of them

Selizabeth48120

This song, let alone the album is amazing, always leaves me at a loss of words.

Gilberto Huamán R.

AMAZING APASIONANTE

jacob price

I was at a show where this band played. I stole this record off of their merch table, and rode my skateboard home. I put the record on when I got home, and was blown away and felt bad for ripping them off. I know they are not super well known. What's their history? where are they from? Do they still make music? I know nothing about them, but this album is in my top 5 albums ever. I would gladly pay them back for what I did, but it would be nothing compared to how this album affected me.

Pierre Dessein

They are from Washington and yeah they're still active.

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