Audioslave was an American hard rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles,… Read Full Bio ↴Audioslave was an American hard rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, CA in 2001. It consisted of Soundgarden frontman and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello (lead guitar), Tim Commerford (bass and backing vocals) and Brad Wilk (drums).

Audioslave released three successful albums, received three Grammy nominations, sold more than eight million records worldwide, and became the first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. Cornell issued a statement in February 2007 that he was permanently leaving the band "due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences." As the other three members were busy with the Rage Against the Machine reunion, and Morello and Cornell had each released solo albums in 2007, Audioslave was officially disbanded.

Discography
2002 Audioslave
2005 Out of Exile
2006 Revelations

- Out Of Exile
Audioslave Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I first came to this island
That I called by my own name
I was happy in this fortress
In my exile I remained
But the hours grew so empty
And the ocean sent her waves
In the figure of a woman
And she pulled me out to sea

[Chorus]
When you come down to take me home
Send my soul away
When you come round you'll make me whole
Send my soul away

On the altar of a sunrise
Was a wedding in the waves
And inside her shown a young light
From her labor I was saved
Though I've traveled long in darkness
In her harvest I'm embraced

[Chorus]

Now the spires and gables
Grow in orchards to the sky
And the blessings on the table
Multiply and divide

[Chorus]

When you come down to take me home
When you come round you'll make me whole

When you come round to take me home
Send my soul away [Repeat: x3]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Audioslave's "Out of Exile" depict the journey towards redemption and finding hope within darkness. The song starts with the singer narrating their personal exile to an island where they felt content and guarded, but the tranquility eventually turned into stagnancy. The ocean, portrayed as a woman, lures the singer out to sea, where they find a new sense of purpose and direction.

The following verse speaks about the wedding in the waves and how the ocean has somehow saved the singer. The woman is a symbol of hope, from whom the singer can draw strength to keep going. The last two lines of the verse suggest the acceptance of difficulties and the unknown, stating that "in her harvest, I'm embraced."

In the final part, we see the singer spotting spires and gables growing towards the sky like orchards. This imagery reflects the hopes and dreams that the singer has been able to realize, despite the dark times. The concept of blessings on the table multiplying and dividing implies a newfound sense of abundance and balance in life. The chorus speaks of the fulfilment that the singer found when they were saved from exile and had their soul set free.

Line by Line Meaning

When I first came to this island
Upon arrival to this destination

That I called by my own name
Which I personally identified and labelled

I was happy in this fortress
I was content in my seclusion

In my exile I remained
I chose to stay in isolation

But the hours grew so empty
However, time became unfulfilling

And the ocean sent her waves
The sea brought its mighty tides

In the figure of a woman
Personified as a female form

And she pulled me out to sea
She lured me into the waters

When you come down to take me home
When it's time to depart and leave

Send my soul away
Allow my spirit to disperse

When you come round you'll make me whole
Once reunited, I'll be complete