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Woods
Bon-Iver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

I'm up in the woods
I'm up in the woods
I'm down on my mind
I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I'm building a sill to slow down the time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bon-Iver's song "Woods" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a reflection on the artist's state of mind and the desire to slow down time. The repeated line "I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind" could be interpreted as feeling isolated and lost within one's own thoughts. The phrase "building a sill to slow down the time" suggests a desire to create a barrier or a pause in life to reflect and process.

Perhaps the repetition of the same lines and phrases is a deliberate attempt to slow down time and create a meditative state. The haunting refrain of "I'm up in the woods" adds to the sense of isolation and detachment from the outside world. The use of auto-tune and layered vocals also add to the dream-like quality of the song.

Overall, "Woods" is a introspective and contemplative piece that invites the listener to take a moment to pause and reflect on their own thoughts and desires.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods
I am in a secluded area.

I'm up in the woods
I am in a secluded area.

I'm down on my mind
Something is troubling me mentally.

I'm down on my mind
Something is troubling me mentally.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

I'm up in the woods, I'm down on my mind
I am in a secluded area and my mind is burdened by something.

I'm building a sill to slow down the time
I am constructing a barrier to halt the passage of time.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

Caleb Montgomery

4y↑127

3:27 is such a defining moment in how this song makes me feel. You're trying to do anything, anything to get time to slow down, the more it doesn't work, the more your thoughts build up and up and up, the more chaotic, they start to blend into each other. You're begging for time to just slow down, you scream aloud in the woods- crying, begging for just one moment of calm, but nothing happens. Such a powerful moment to me.

Parth Yadav

1y

I am struggling so much. I hope you are okay. I relate so much to your comment.

Astrofishsticks

8y↑871

Such a beautiful song. Bon Iver has slept on talent. Unfortunately though, I cant listen to this song without expecting the added beat in Kanye's "Lost In the World" because I heard that song first. Artists recognize greatness through sampled beats.

Ameen

8y↑72

the original feels incomplete to me now haha still good tho

ck675

8y↑50

feel so bad for those who didn't hear this song for the first time in its original state

star-bangled spanner

8y↑7

recognise/ appropriate their talent to make money.

Green Gentleman

7y↑48

Trueeeee... Tho comparatively speaking, Kanye's feels like more of a battle anthem. This version feels like a serene hum. Love them both, but yeah can't help but feel the same.

8 More Replies...

Megan H

10y↑906

This is how auto tune should be used: for beautiful works of art like this. Bon Iver is simply genius.

Knifey

10y↑36

This and Daft Punk. They should be the only ones ever allowed to use auto-tune :)

Thomas Crudden

10y↑74

settlefornothink Daft punk use vocoders and synth, not auto-tune.

Knifey

10y

ok, pharrel sings every note perfect for sure. dick.

Frank C

10y↑46

808s was dope

226 - Farhan Nafis R - STEI-K

4y↑16

@Knifey and Kanye

11 More Replies...

Jeremiah Smith

3y↑62

My acting teacher back in high school showed me and the ensemble class this song. Assignment was for each of us to bring a song that represented a part of us in one way or another. Her explanation was that this song is so simple. Made up of the same verse over and over. But with even these simple pieces, something beautiful and amazing could be built. And that's what she wanted to see from her students. She said it much better than I ever could, lol. But this song has stuck with me ever since. Mrs. Sharp (Gahagen) if you ever see this you are so awesome and still inspire me all these years later!

Jaxson Miles

1y↑9

This is my first time listening to the actual song. There is so much raw emotion that radiates from it. I am completely overflowed with emotion

YeDot

1y

Same here, I knew this from Kanye tbh

ck675

8y↑826

Possibly unpopular opinion: this is one of the most underrated songs of the past 15 years

Jonah NeSmith

7y↑2

Agreed

J Aravind

5y↑16

This, Human sadness by Julian Casablancas, rigarmortis by Kendrick.... So many musical masterpieces sitting on so few views

Hazxard -

5y↑3

Anyone here after listening to the bluecoats 2015 ballad?

Nando V1

5y↑1

@Hazxard - well I found this song then I found the bluecoats ballad but shit that smacked

3lijah

5y

@Hazxard - yessir

13 More Replies...

Zach Seitz

6y↑38

God, the high vocals sound like the cries of a dying wolf. You can feel the raw emotion in this man's voice.

Michael nesmith

8y↑1.3K

my favorite line is IM UP IN THE WOODS, IM DOWN ON MY MIND, IM BUILDING A STILL, TO SLOW DOWN THE TIME.

lrcirullo

8y↑67

haha great one m8. my favorite part too. I loved also when he had the other voice come in

Rango

7y↑67

Read this right when he said it, double chills

Pete Bricks

7y↑13

I love the pauses in the middle of each line

Tupemo

7y

haha, good vibes :D

Poor Green Whale Guns Books

7y↑22

i also love the part where he uses autotune

8 More Replies...

Conilnastrorosa10

9y↑255

Skins actually made me discover this absolute poetry.

samisnotattractive

9y↑3

same i rewatched it today and had to find this song

Conilnastrorosa10

9y↑3

true :) sometimes I desperately need to watch it again

ecaille grise

4y

Which scene ?

NetSomebody

4y↑10

ecaille grise V3E8 “Effy” right after the scene with Effy and Katie in the woods

Maisy

3y↑1

Same

1 More Replies...

LateNightRewrites

5y↑88

This song will forever be me in a car on the way home from a rave with a girl I would one day come to love deeper and hold closer than anyone could get. But in that moment, with stars and cars whizzing past, both of us in the back seat with the windows down and the wind blowing through her hair, the moon illuminating her beauty, we could only exchange sheepish glances. Her hand grazed my mine and I knew she was somehow going to be the most important woman I'd ever met. I caught her gaze and could see that, in her eyes and in her soul she felt the same way.

It was me who let you down, C. Years later, I still love you, and I will always miss that moment and every subsequent moment we spent together.

Rxol

5y↑5

awkward

LateNightRewrites

5y↑15

@Rxol no u

LateNightRewrites

4y↑16

@C.Wodie way ahead of you, brother. Clean and sober for nearly 3 years now

Chae K

4y↑13

I hope you guys cross paths again.

6 More Replies...

Thomas Wells

10y↑40

Bon iver is actually incredible

Jasmine M

10y↑10

wow this is incredible. I don't know how to explain it, it's an experience rather than just listening to a song. amazing

Shima33

8y↑35

Happy 1,000,000 views, Bon Iver's Woods. One of the most beautiful tracks ever composed.

Juliet Robertson

11y↑19

Just had the most magical moment of my life. 3am, a little drunk, can't sleep. Stumble across this song. Gives me chills. Glance out the window, see snow starting to fall. Stare in complete stillness until the song finishes. Not sure I'll ever know that kind of peace and beauty again.

Eric Hill

9y↑38

I wish the Bluecoats wouldve made their ballade longer. I absolutely love the sound theyre making. Its just so short.

Simeon Ceu

2y

Same, but a 5 minute ballad would be kinda weird. I do wish that the impact was a little longer though.

Naturë

5y↑4

Bon Iver, your music saved me from such a dark time. I can’t think of anyways to describe how much you brought me from the depths of sorrow and sadness. I’ll never forget your music, neither will my children or children’s children.

Wood Chips

10y↑368

Anxiously waiting to hear the chorus: "I'M LOST IN THE WOORLLLLDDDD!!!" forgetting it's not Kanye west. AMAZING.

Cobalt Falcon

3y↑1

I love this song so much. It is quite possibly my favorite Bon Iver song. It’s just different. The mixture of experimental, a cappella, and folk, is something truly wonderful in this song. The same four lines repeated for 5 minutes, just adding new layers of voices, creates a new emphasis and tone on each repetition. By the end, it’s created so many different moods and tones, just with four lines.

Tyesha Stokes

5y↑5

I don't know about anybody else but each time he sings each verse in a different tone it makes me think of a past situations I got through and present situations I know I'm going to get through

Piers Nivans

5y↑1

That's really nice and I never thought about it like that. Gonna have to replay and see if it hits me!

Patrick Christ

5y

Such an amazingly beautiful song! The harmony component is mind blowing and impressive!

Odin Ravenbeard

7y↑2

Being from the woods, the acoustics strike a clean cord of pine with me.

Zully Requena

10y

Amo tanto esta canción.. Skins sin duda alguna fue la mejor serie que he visto!

Ronnie Mata

8y↑6

As a marching band member, this song makes me think of Bloo, the time I have left with my band mates, with my friends-my family. Like Willie veenstra says in episode 7 of true bloo, he wants to slow down time, make his last season last longer. This song makes me appreciate the thing I love and look back on what memories I already have. Don't just enjoy the song, enjoy what you do. GO BLOO

Simeon Ceu

2y

Bloo as in Bluecoats?

Dylan’s Life

5y↑29

What a beautiful song, this song was played at our dear friend Dayton’s funeral was only 17 Hopis in a better life miss you man

Gabrielle K

10y↑23

Who cares if artists use autotune. If I'm listening to a song and I enjoy it, it makes me feel something, that's all the really matters. In the end I don't care if the artist is any good live, or if they actually sound anything like they do in their track. All I want is good music, whether is comes from a person, an instrument or a machine, makes no difference to me.

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

10y

It's not fucking autotune.

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

10y

FeldbergThePlayer
And how do you know this?

Kemi Smith

10y↑3

Exactly man. Its not about sounding prefect naturally, music is about forming art. It sounds amazing, so why do we care about what was used to make it? Would we criticize a painter for using different materials in an illustration? No, because its art. Its about creating something that sounds harmonious to heart and makes you feel something. I agree with you 100%. :D

3 More Replies...

Brian French

5y↑1

My son is in band and they're doing this in this year's show as their ballad. It's really cool.

whammysammi

9y

I keep imagining how incredible this is going to sound when the bluecoats perform it this year <3

Project Stone

8y↑3

Brings a tear to my eye. Reminds me when they sang this after finals 2015. They made Willie proud one last time before he aged out. GO BLOOOO!!

FuzzyDunlop

7y

This the first time I've heard the original..very familiar with "lost in the world" and about two minutes in, I'm totally in suspense as to whether or not drums will kick in..either way, yes this is awesome.

zippity dandy

5y

sampling what no one else in your genre would consider listening to, putting your own spin on it, and making it a hit = genius.

Isabella Thomas

7y↑37

Takes me to the skins scene in the woods. Hauntingly beautiful

Tom Ebers

7y

Isabella Thomas watched that episode yesterday why I'm back here 😊

Maisy

3y

Yess

Videobakery

3y↑1

I was filming the sunset in time-lapse the other night and I hummed this song for about 20 minutes while I laid in the dirt.

Codrina Ibanescu

7y↑1

Amazing. Bon Iver is a classic, with such unique tone that just encompasses the soul.

Chris Beebee

9y↑1

Bluecoats made me a fan of this song, also the lyrics are brilliant

Rohan Selvan

4y↑1

I still get chills listening to this song

carmen0981

12y↑3

This is exactly how I feel about the woods. This song captures the feeling better than I could ever explain it.

Bobby Jay Kennerley

8y↑3

I used to really not like this song, but then I went through some shit, and now it's probably one of my favourite songs of all time.

Drum Corps Insider

9y

What a beautiful song. If not for the Bluecoats I would have never found this wonderful creation. All the parts are here. Bluecoats have found a gem and are proudly showing it off in their special way. This guy should write for Drum Corps.

Daniel Seals

9y

For Bluecoats fans, there is a good chance they had their eye on this artist and/or song for a while. They have a video from 2012 entitled "Flume" that features Peter Gabriel's version of "Flume." They probably listened to Bon Iver's version of Flume back then too. So this could be a few years coming.

Lisa Harbers

6y

I kinda love that (if you listen to this with headphones on in a completly quiet room) your heart becomes an instrument during the breaks of the song

The Broddha

9y↑157

Happy that Bon Iver and Kanye's epic collaboration introduced me to this.

emtheeviltwin

12y

Oh my god this is amazing! I'm a big Bon Iver fan, but this just takes the cake.

Drifters Diesel

9y↑3

This song is so simple, yet so profound...
Absolutely beautiful.

Michelle León Cáceres

10y

this song kills me every time I hear it .. love Bon Iver for Isaac

anniemator

9y

this might sound dumb and maybe someone already said this before me but i think the silent parts in between are supposed to give us a sense of "complete" silence. For example, we could be in the middle of a city and listening to this song but, because we are listening to the song, silent bits included, we make that background noise of the real world essentially silent. We are aware of the noises, but we choose to associate them with silence. I just find that very interesting

Nakaila Wengreen

7y↑1

This song and a good pair of headphones is an amazing thing

Definitive1

4y↑3

The brilliance and genius of Kanye West is undeniable.

Michele zimmerman

9y↑4

Bloooo hornline are gonna blow us out of our seats with this... goosebumps already.

nick arndt

10y↑92

A vocoder is used to put effects on vocal tracks. Auto tune is one of those effects. Nothing wrong with auto tune just because shitty artists have abused it in the past.

DANKKrish

6y↑11

You were ahead of the game.

PS1 Hagrid

4y↑5

nick arndt you were definitely ahead of your game

Ryan Mac

3y↑3

if the entire song is just vocals, by all means, a vocoder is foul play by no means. My favorite song has heavy autotune and its pure art, Hold my Liquor by Kanye

VVonderr

8y

This is as much art as it is music, one of my all time favourite songs.

Destiny Fiedler

1y

Heard this for the first time in Leadville Colorado in 2010 on vinyl. Just beautiful. The memory still holds so much warmth

yellowdaisies13

12y↑1

i discovered this song several months ago, but even still, every time i hear it, i can't help but put it on repeat

Rodrigo Proaño

4y

First song I heard from them and still my favorite.

James Chen

12y

i swear, this gives me chills every single time.

Oliver Lewis

10y↑33

Slow down the time. This endless race course of life goes in circles and circles. Can we ever understand? Can we learn to control the madness that is existence? I can't make you love me if you don't...
Woods are a place of peace. It seems no peace is to be had some times.

Elien4Atalaya

10y↑3

As above, so below... As within, so without... There is a sense of thrill after riding the rushing current of a peaceful stream, a sense of calm before revealing the raging fury of a chaotic tempest... It is when we take the time to pause and admire these things that time itself will pause with us...

Oliver Lewis

10y↑1

Elien4Atalaya That is spot on.

Elien4Atalaya

10y

Oliver Lewis Thanks. I try to be poetic. ;-)

Grace Stitzer

2y

Man! I love this song! It is kinda like how I imagine what hylophobia must feel like (in a good way)!

Name

8y

this song touches me on so many levels

Alexandra Oriol

9y

i don't know why but this song gives me chills.

kshaffer82

11y↑1

gives me chills no matter how many times i listen to it

Años luz

6y↑9

Send this out to space on a golden record

Corey Ellen

9y↑464

kanye brought this into my life and i am so glad. love both versions

communityEsc

8y↑5

+Corey Holt I only like this version tbh .3.

MoJo Pro

4y↑32

@communityEsc eh, it's just him singing with Auto tune corrected notes. No instrumentation or production really although some people may like that. I prefer Kanye's version with Iver the beat is amazing and production really breathes the life into the lyrics and meaning.

casmith12

2y↑1

Keu V huh?????

Seth Martin

4y↑1

One of the most beautiful and eerie things I’ve ever heard

eis4epic

12y↑5

Effy Stonem and Bon Iver are incredible by themselves. but together. just. perfect.

Cassie

6y

💜esse som é bom demais

Emily Catherine

5y

I swear to god I feel like I’m in a dark forest when I hear this. Like there’s unearthly beings calling out the lyrics. How the hell can Justin make that effect with JUST HIS VOICE?!?

brown55061

9y↑42

Wait till you hear this on the field. One word: goosebumps! That's all I'm saying for now.

Delford Chaffin

9y↑8

Absolutely! This is rocketing to the top of my favorite drum corps ballads!

Andrew Doud

9y↑1

same here. want to see a live performance once i get enough money for a show close by

Miles Eaton

8y

+Delford Chaffin What about the Hymn of Acxiom?

MajesticAJ39

5y↑3

I'm in a high school band and this is our ballad for the year ;-;

Hedgehog3342

9y↑283

when you're high, this song seems like it's been 2 hours or so.

Bryce Best

5y↑4

Hedgehog3342 right

Jazz59107

3y↑1

High on what? Shrooms or weed

Kayla Rodriguez

12y↑1

This is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard

Asteriaa

12y

this song is a work of art that people don't understand. it speaks to your heart !!

Alexandra Ma

4y

Bon Iver forever...there are no words when I listen to his music wherever I'm...

Andrew Ohman

12y

Simply beautiful, Thanks Bon Iver.

Meg Stanley

12y

2:06 the background "oooohhhhh"'s gets me every time. Beautiful:)

Ryan Hinton

4y

Completely agree

syd

4y↑11

you’re my devil, you’re my angel..

tsufi11

13y↑2

This is the only song that say the same thing over again for 4 minutes & still be absolutely beautiful.

Jorden

11y

no matter how many times i listen i keeps giving me amazing feelings..

Dario Robert Herma

3y

Masterpiece!

The808histate

13y

What a work of art. Powerful in it's ability to transport me to another place out of this world. True artistry and originality. Ab-soul-u-tly fantabulous.

Quattordicii

12y↑1

Oh god , I love this song .. It's melodic .. I can't describe it :') It makes me think about Freddie and Effy and how much I love those characters..

Juliana Tisdale

10y↑18

Idk what it is about this song... but I LOVE IT!!! And hats off to Kanye West puttin this in one of his songs, pure genius.

Marshall Witty

8y↑1

I love it when the blue coats played this as their ballad

thomasbradleyh

12y↑1

Kanye is one of the best producers of our time. Even if you don't like hip hop or rap, you can't deny the incredibly production quality of almost everything he touches.

Gannen Thompson

8y↑1

i cant find the words i need to describe how my body feels about this song.

Franklin Rosales

12y

Bon Iver definitely knows how to work my heart strings

erika carlie

11y

Most people don't like so much auto-tune but Bon Iver just makes it sound so beautiful.

random user

10y↑8

Incredible song, Kanye used it beautifully as well

Bobby Makepeace

5y↑1

The best thing to do is open this song in 10 windows, start each one 10-20 seconds apart ... and enjoy for a mash up of harmonics and longer song

Connor Ives

11y

Man this gives me chills every single time, I want to melt

Taby Michel

9y

This song brings out so many emotions.. What are you doing to me Bon Iver??

marissa lee

13y

Bon Iver soothes my soul.

Poor Green Whale Guns Books

7y

I get chills every single time at 1:42

pee pee poo poo sixty nine

4y↑17

This song is proof lyrics are secondary to sound

Freak

3y↑1

Not really. In this instance sure, but a rap with meaningless lyrics is terrible. Certain genres and styles work better for different applications

Charles Johnson

2y

@Freak fr

Boopsie B

7y

Covered in chills and cant pinpoint exactly why. Ungh so good.

OHEYOU1

13y

such a beautiful song <3

Andy Owens

3y

This reminds me of my younger days when I lived for skins and camped in the woods with the gang getting fucked up on powder and drink, pure nostalgia 💔

Gerson Del Rio Sucumbe

10y

Dios mio amo su voz sus canciones; me hacen pensar las cosas que perdí por amar sin ser correspondidooo !!! !! pero esta canción tiene algo que me dice se fuerte :P

Dadrie Melendez

12y

if you play this song in two different places at the same time one 10 sec later than the other it sounds really cool

Kali

10y↑10

Holy shit, bon iver is going to be the reason i die early, and its gonna be a hell of a way to go out, his music is SO ridiculously AMAZING it actually makes me loose breath. I can'ti can't i can't D,,,,,,,,:

Empherial

9y↑3

I can't explain how much I agree with you :''(

Kali

9y

Omg yesssss

pinsandivy84

9y

❤️

Brandó

2y↑7

Listen at 3:25 onward. It's such a defining moment in how this song makes me feel. You're trying to do anything to get time to slow down, the more it doesn't work, the more your thoughts overthink and get claustrophobic and more chaotic that they start to blend into each other. Hence the several layers of overtones from the background vocals throughout the hook. You're begging for time to just slow down, you scream aloud in the woods- crying, begging for just one moment of calm or one more hour, but nothing happens. This is such a powerful song for me.

Anice Ossoulian

12y

i remember when i first heard this song, it was as if i had never truly heard music until that point

SubparPanda

11y

2:07 gets me every fucking time...how nice of a sound

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