The dialogue format that appears here is from the album’s liner notes.
For Emma
Bon Iver Lyrics
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Saw death on a sunny snow
For every life
Forgo the parable
Seek the light
My knees are cold
Running home, running home
Running home, running home
Go find another lover
To bring a, to string along
With all your lies
You're still very lovable
I toured the light so many foreign roads
For Emma, forever ago
The lyrics of Bon Iver's "For Emma" is having a somber tone throughout the song. The lyrics start with "So abruptly / Saw death on a sunny snow" which could be seen as a metaphor for unexpected loss. It's showing that the singer had experienced something traumatic in their life, and it has been haunting them ever since. The next lyric "For every life / Forgo the parable" seems to suggest that the singer has been searching for answers to the meaning of their own life. They want to understand why they had to go through what they did or why they are the way they are. The line "Seek the light / My knees are cold" seems to be a cry for help or comfort. The singer is asking for guidance and support but is having trouble finding it, feeling lost and unsure of what to do.
The chorus "Running home, running home / Running home, running home" repeats, as if reinforcing this idea of being lost and searching for something or somewhere they can call home. Towards the end of the song, the singer states, "Go find another lover / To bring a, to string along / with all your lies / you're still very lovable." This line seems to be an acceptance of the reality that people can be deceiving and untrustworthy, but still, have redeeming qualities that make them lovable. The singer ends the song repeating "For Emma, forever ago" which refers to the album's namesake, Justin Vernon's ex-girlfriend, and serves as a callback to the main theme of the album, heartache and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
So abruptly
The singer experienced something unexpected and sudden.
Saw death on a sunny snow
The singer witnessed an unusual event - death on a snow-covered landscape that is typically viewed as peaceful and serene.
For every life
The singer wants to make a statement that applies to everyone, regardless of their circumstances or experiences.
Forgo the parable
The artist is advising listeners to avoid relying on abstract stories or fables to guide their behavior and beliefs.
Seek the light
The artist encourages others to seek out positive experiences and emotions, rather than dwelling on negativity or sadness.
My knees are cold
The singer is physically uncomfortable or exposed to the elements, possibly shivering and breaking down from the strain.
Running home, running home
The singer is desperate to return to a place of safety and comfort, possibly escaping a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
Go find another lover
The artist instructs someone to seek out a new romantic partner, as the current relationship is not healthy or fulfilling.
To bring a, to string along
The artist describes a potential role for the new lover - someone who may be used as a temporary distraction or toy.
With all your lies
The artist acknowledges that the new lover may not be completely honest or authentic, and may be deceiving themselves or others.
You're still very lovable
The singer is reassuring the new lover that they are still valued and deserving of love, despite their flaws.
I toured the light so many foreign roads
The artist has taken many trips or journeys, both literal and metaphorical, through different cultures and experiences in order to gain perspective and understanding.
For Emma, forever ago
The singer is reflecting on their past and possibly on a specific relationship or event from long ago that they can never reclaim or change.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind