Latter Days
Big Red Machine feat. Anaïs Mitchell Lyrics
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How long do you think it's gonna last?
You at the corner store
You were stocking up before the storm
Stacked yourself against the odds
Talking back to an act of god
You and your clever mouth
You were laughing when the lights went out
I recall it all forever
How it found us where we lay
With our arms around each other
In the latter days, in the latter days
How high? Is what you said
How high do you think it's gonna get?
You at the water's edge
On the jetty when you were a kid
Passed around a plastic cup
Passed out spinning in the house where you grew up
You in your childhood bed
And the wildest dream you ever had
You recall it all forever
How it found you where you lay
And you called out for your brother
In the latter days
I recall it all forever
How it found us where we lay
With our arms around each other
In the latter days
How high, do you?
How high, do you?
I recall it all forever
How we sheltered in our place
And we called each other lovers
In the latter days
I recall it all forever
How there was no hiding place
So we called each other brothers
In the latter days, in the latter days
The song “Latter Days” by Big Red Machine (a collaboration between Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner of The National) is a reflection on memories and the passage of time. The song is divided into two stanzas, each of which deals with a different question posed to the listener. In the first stanza, the singer is asked “How long do you think it's gonna last?” and we find them at a corner store stocking up before a storm. There is a sense of vulnerability and defiance in the lyrics as the singer talks back to an act of God and laughs in the face of adversity. The second stanza begins with the question “How high do you think it's gonna get?” and finds the singer at the water's edge on a jetty filled with childhood memories.
Throughout the song, the lyrical phrases "I recall it all forever" and "In the latter days" appear repeatedly, and convey a sense of nostalgia for past experiences and relationships. The importance of human connection is highlighted in the final lines of the song when the singer remembers how they called each other "lovers" and "brothers" when there was "no hiding place" and they sheltered together.
Overall, the song speaks to the human condition of fleeting moments and cherished memories - both joyful and painful, and the importance of companionship in facing life’s challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
How long? Is what you asked
You wondered about the timeline of events
How long do you think it's gonna last?
You inquired about the expected duration
You at the corner store
You were at a shop
You were stocking up before the storm
You were preparing for an impending disaster
Stacked yourself against the odds
You were preparing for the worst
Talking back to an act of god
You were defying nature
You and your clever mouth
You were witty
You were laughing when the lights went out
You found humor in the darkness
I recall it all forever
The memories will always be with me
How it found us where we lay
How it happened when we were defenseless
With our arms around each other
We found solace in each other's embrace
In the latter days, in the latter days
Toward the end of the era
How high? Is what you said
You asked how extreme it can get
How high do you think it's gonna get?
You wondered about the extent of escalation
You at the water's edge
You were near the waterfront
On the jetty when you were a kid
You reminisced your childhood adventures
Passed around a plastic cup
You shared drinking cups with others
Passed out spinning in the house where you grew up
You lost consciousness in your childhood home
You in your childhood bed
You stayed in your kid's bed
And the wildest dream you ever had
You recollected your most incredible dream
And you called out for your brother
You sought your sibling's help
How high, do you?
You repeated your query about the extent of escalation
How high, do you?
You reiterated your inquiry
How we sheltered in our place
How we sought refuge in our abode
And we called each other lovers
We addressed each other with affection
In the latter days
Toward the end of the era
How there was no hiding place
How we were vulnerable and exposed
So we called each other brothers
We referred to each other as family
In the latter days, in the latter days
Toward the end of the era
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Dessner, Anais Mitchell, Justin Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@akashsrivastava9674
I recall it all forever
How we sheltered in our place
And we called each other lovers
In the latter days
I recall it all forever
How there was no hiding place
So we called each other brothers
In the latter days, in the latter days
This fucking line.
@eastonabs1697
Why is no one talking abt how beautiful the women’s voice is. Seriously mesmerizing
@bubblegumbtch1340
I know right and it's so unique
@brookecathey5110
Anais Mitchell is truly one of the best. Her songwriting is unreal. 😍
@sea-saw
Go Google Hadestown.
@johannsergl9102
or listen to her rendition of Tam Lin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97jHBd8TDA
@hindsy3472
If you love her voice go listen to “Hadestown”. Bon Iver and Anais partnered up to produce a concept album telling the story of Orpheus (Bone Iver) and Eurydice (Anais). It’s one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever listened to, check it out ✌🏼
@zhaoxuanng
Thank you folklore and evermore, I found the genre of music I love, and this is a very good song to listen to in the middle of the night. peace.
@bawin384
it is 12:00am now while I'm listening to the song and reading this comment. wow
@husseinamhareb2125
Same.
@maazpatel4844
Yeahhh✌