Bear's Den have released four studio albums: Islands (2014), Red Earth & Pouring Rain (22 July 2016), So that you might hear me (26 April 2019), and Blue Hours (13 May 2022). Islands peaked at number forty-nine on the UK Albums Chart. The band has also issued six EPs: Agape (2013), Without/Within (2013), Only Son of the Falling Snow (2019), Christmas, Hopefully (2020), The Quiet Winter Light (2022), and First Loves (2023).
The band has been nominated for several music awards throughout their career, with "Above the Clouds of Pompeii" earning the band a nomination for the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 2015. The band received two nominations at the UK Americana Awards in 2016, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "Agape".
Fortress
Bear's Den Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or is it a fortress?
I'm calling the blame
Just let me own it
There are things I thought I could rise above
And all the things I thought I was better than
And a coward might call it a conscience
Nothing could ever make me more frightened
Than the thought of hurting you
Watching you float across the isle of sand
Before the fireworks began
I closed my eyes
And wrap my arms around you
Do you remember what I whispered love?
Do you remember what I whispered, love?
This is how it′s meant to be
This is where we're supposed to be
I don't think anyone
Has ever loved anyone
The way I loved you
So I wait at the gates
Of your fortress
I′m calling the blame
And she′ll let me hold it
And all the things I thought I could rise above
I could not
And all the things I thought I was better than
I am not
And a coward might call it a conscience
And a liar might call it the truth
Nothing could ever make me more frightened
Than the thought of hurting you
How could I hurt you?
Watching you float across the isle of sand
Before the fireworks began
I closed my eyes
And wrapped my arms around you
Do you remember what I whispered love?
Do you remember what I whispered, love?
This is how it's meant to be
This is where we′re supposed to be
I don't think anyone
Could ever love anyone
The way I love you
The way I love you
The way I love you
This is how it′s meant to be
This is where we're supposed to be
I don′t think anyone
Could ever love anyone
The way that I love you
The way I love you
Bear's Den's song "Fortress" is a heartfelt ballad that describes the deep love and devotion one person has for another. The singer of the song admits that he has made mistakes and has let his own ego get in the way of his relationships. He references a "fortress" that represents the defense mechanisms he has built up to protect himself from getting hurt or being vulnerable in a relationship. The gates that he waits at represent his willingness to be vulnerable and accountable for his own mistakes.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is looking for forgiveness and reconciliation, and he's willing to own up to his mistakes in order to salvage the relationship. The phrase "watching you float across the isle of sand before the fireworks began" is a reference to a romantic moment shared between the singer and his lover. The singer reflects on this moment as a reminder of the love he has for his partner and how much he wants to salvage the relationship.
The song also portrays the singer's fear of hurting his partner and his recognition that love requires vulnerability and trust. He recognizes that his actions have hurt his partner, but he's willing to accept the blame and take responsibility for his actions in order to restore the relationship. "Fortress" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the complexity of relationships and the importance of accountability, forgiveness, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll wait at the gates
I'll be here waiting patiently for you to let me in
Or is it a fortress?
Is your heart a fortress that I have to break down to reach you?
I'm calling the blame
I accept responsibility for my mistakes and their consequences
Just let me own it
Allow me to take full responsibility for what I've done
There are things I thought I could rise above
There are things I believed I was strong enough to overcome
And all the things I thought I was better than
I once thought I was above certain things, but I was wrong
And a coward might call it a conscience
Some people might consider my guilty conscience a sign of weakness
And a liar might call it the truth
A deceitful person might label their lies as the truth
Nothing could ever make me more frightened
The thought of causing you pain scares me more than anything else
Than the thought of hurting you
I would never want to do anything to cause you emotional distress
Watching you float across the isle of sand
I remember the way you looked at the beach before the fireworks
Before the fireworks began
Before the night took a turn for the worse
I closed my eyes
I shut out the world and tried to focus on you
And wrap my arms around you
I held you close, hoping to make everything right
Do you remember what I whispered love?
Do you recall the words I spoke softly to you?
This is how it's meant to be
This is how our relationship is supposed to feel - calm, peaceful, and loving
This is where we're supposed to be
We are meant to be together, right here, right now
I don't think anyone
I believe that no one else
Has ever loved anyone
Has ever felt the same intensity of love as I do for you
The way I loved you
My love for you is unique and unmatched
So I wait at the gates
I'll be here waiting for you to let me in, no matter how long it takes
And she'll let me hold it
Once I take responsibility, you'll be able to trust me and let me hold you close again
I could not
Despite my best efforts,
I am not
I realize now that I am not better than anyone else
How could I hurt you?
The mere thought of causing you pain fills me with guilt and shame
The way I love you
My love for you is deep, intense, and unwavering
The way I love you
No one else could ever love you the way I do
Writer(s): Davie Andrew Donald John, Jones Kevin Anthony
Contributed by Lincoln F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@self-sabotageYT
email suggestions: selfsabotageYT@gmail.com 💘
@ellavas4957
This song is so hauntingly beautiful , but also sad in a way . To find a love that transcends time and space a love that’s eternal . I think that’s what we strive for!
@FishnetLullaby
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Just found this song at 7:30 in the morning and it’s just taking me somewhere and I have no idea where but I’m lost in the music
@covidoff
One of the best songs ever written
@nonmaliceowl
I completely agree.
@squirtynerdy
Indeed
@itsmolly0074
This song makes me feel heartbreak that doesnt even exist in my life.. </3 its really beautiful.
@mcs6477
“Nothing could ever make me more frightened than the thought of hurting you.
How could I hurt you?”
Well, fuck my emotions. 💔
@KinorLovesRockMusic
This song is full of nostalgia, regret, love and longing...
@MermaidGal90
A "Grey's Anatomy" edit about George O'Malley and Miranda Bailey brought me here