Lump Sum
Bon-Iver Lyrics
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A heavy stone
Sold my red horse for a venture home
To vanish on the bow
Settling slow
Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums
(Or so the story goes)
Film it's historical
My mile could not
Pump the plumb
In my arbor 'till my ardor
Trumped every inner inertia
Lump sum
All at once
Rushing from the sub-pump
(Or so the story goes)
Balance we won't know
We will see when it gets warm
Bon Iver's song "Lump Sum" touches upon various themes, including change, leaving behind the past to start anew, and the passage of time. The opening lines "Sold my cold knot, A heavy stone, Sold my red horse for a venture home" suggest that the singer has sold everything they had and are embarking on a new journey to escape some kind of burden. The phrase "a heavy stone" further highlights the struggle that the singer had, and the fact that they are selling it indicates that they are ready to move on from it. The line "to vanish on the bow" suggests that the singer is taking some form of transportation and is ready to leave their old life behind.
The lyrics "fit it all, fit it in the doldrums" suggest that the singer is struggling to come to terms with their new journey and trying to fit everything they need, including emotional baggage, into their new life. The subsequent lines "Color the era, Film it's historical" indicate that the singer is aware of the significance of their journey and wants to preserve it in some form. This is reinforced by the lines "My mile could not pump the plumb, In my arbor 'till my ardor, Trumped every inner inertia, Lump sum" which conveys the intensity of the singer's experience and how they managed to overcome their fears.
The chorus, "All at once, Rushing from the sub-pump, Balance we won't know, We will see when it gets warm" brings the listener back to the present moment and highlights the uncertainty of the singer's new journey. The lines suggest that they are still transitioning and it is difficult to predict the outcome accurately. Overall, "Lump Sum" showcases the frustration, excitement, and anxiety that come with starting fresh and leaving behind the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Sold my cold knot
I let go of my emotional baggage and resolved inner conflicts
A heavy stone
That emotional baggage was a heavy burden on me
Sold my red horse for a venture home
I gave up my passionate pursuits for a safer and more stable future
To vanish on the bow
To disappear and leave my past behind
Settling slow
Gradually, but surely
Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums
Trying to fit all the experiences and emotions in a state of stagnation
(Or so the story goes)
As the legend has it
Color the era
Give meaning and context to the times we live in
Film its historical
Record and preserve the memories for future generations
My mile could not
My efforts were not enough
Pump the plumb
To measure up to my own expectations
In my arbor 'till my ardor
Stuck in my own world until my passion
Trumped every inner inertia
Overcame any reluctance and made me act
Lump sum
All together, as one
All at once
In a sudden rush
Rushing from the sub-pump
An overflow of emotions from the depths of my being
(Or so the story goes)
As the legend has it
Balance we won't know
We can't predict how things will turn out
We will see when it gets warm
We'll have to wait and see how everything pans out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kayanert414
[Verse 1]
Sold my cold knot
A heavy stone
Sold my red horse for a venture home
To vanish on the bow
Settling slow
Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums
Or so the story goes
Color the era
Film it is historical
Ahh, ahh, ahh
[Verse 2]
My mile could not
Pump the plumb
In my arbor 'til my ardor trumped
Every inner inertia, lump sum
All at once
Rushing from the sub-pump
Or so the story goes
Balance we won't know
We will see when it gets warm
Ahh, ahh, ahh
@juanito3506
Sold my cold knot
A heavy stone
Sold my red horse for a venture home
To vanish on the bow
Settling slow
Fit it all, fit it in the doldrums
(Or so the story goes)
Color the era
Film it's historical
My mile could not
Pump the plumb
In my arbor 'till my ardor
Trumped every inner inertia
Lump sum
All at once
Rushing from the sub-pump
(Or so the story goes)
Balance we won't know
We will see when it gets warm
@M3ta1
This was a nice surprise whilst trying to understand mortgage payments.
@mommyslilstinker
my dad played this on rainy days in the car on the way to his house from my mom's. i can still feel his heaters hitting my face and hear how grainy his speakers were. love you dad, wherever you are.
@gabrielbarbeau4713
ronald reagan I’m sure your dad is in heaven rn
@mommyslilstinker
@Gabriel Barbeau hes alive lmao
@oica6750
@ronald reagan LOL
@Jason-xs2nb
@ronald reagan you were quite a poetic indeed as a kid 😂
@oldleadfoot9026
The sentimentalist in me finds that touching but the cynic in me knows you made that up for likes☹️
@SN2903
This album is more than just music. It is something that stays inside of you forever.
@lydiaburton1905
this song never fails to make me stop what im doing, lay on the floor, and love the world for 3 mins and 21 seconds
@fourtwentty420
I love you Bon Iver. You got me through last winter, and you'll get me through the next.