"'We recorded the song for the joy of it, and then it looked like the ‘Twilight’ people were interested in using the song for the movie, so it pretty naturally happened.'"
As for the title of the song, the frontman for Bon Iver Justin Vernon is a big fan of the T.V. series Northern Exposure, which follows the story of a doctor from New York who moves to a remote Alaskan community, and Roslyn was the name of the town in Washington where the series was filmed.
The title is sometime stylized as “Rosyln”, where the ‘L’ and ‘Y’ are reversed from the name of the town.
"'He sings in his beautiful falsetto and I’m actually singing very, very low. I think there’s something vampire-y and creepy about the two of us singing together. It’s a simple, stripped-down kind of song. It’s really elegant and beautiful.'"
– St. Vincent, via MTV
Rosyln
Bon Iver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we just terrified?
Shale, screen your worry from what you won't ever find
Don't let it fool you
Don't let it fool you down
Dancing around, folds in her gown
Cocked to the undertow
Bones, blood and teeth erode
With every crashing node
Wings wouldn't help you
Wings wouldn't help you down
Down fills the ground, gravity smiled
You barely are blinking
Wagging your face around
When'd this just become a mortal home?
Won't, won't, won't, won't
Won't let you talk me
Won't let you talk me down
We'll pull it taut, nothing let out
The song Roslyn by Bon Iver and St. Vincent can be interpreted in many ways. The lyrics appear to be about two people who are terrified of something and are trying to protect themselves from it. The first line of the song, "up with your turret", suggests that one of the characters may be trying to defend themselves from an attack, while the second line, "aren't we just terrified?" is a question that is likely asked in response to the situation they find themselves in.
The next few lines, "shale, screen your worry from what you won't ever find, don't let it fool you, don't let it fool you down" suggest that the characters are trying to shield themselves from something they fear, even if it may not exist. The line "dancing around, folds in her gown" suggests that one of the characters is trying to distract themselves from their fears.
The second verse of the song, "sea and the rock below, cocked to the undertow, bones blood and teeth erode, they will be crashing low" seems to suggest that the characters may be facing a physical danger, as if they are standing on the edge of a cliff or near the ocean. The line "wings wouldn't help you down, down towards the ground, gravity's proud" suggests that they cannot escape this danger.
The chorus of the song, "you barely are blinking, wagging your face around, when'd this just become a mortal home? won't, won't, won't, won't, won't let you talk me, won't let you talk me down, we'll pull it taut, nothing let out" suggests that the characters are facing mortality and that they will not let their fears consume them. They will face their situation with bravery and strength.
Overall, the lyrics of Roslyn are open to many interpretations, with some suggesting the song is about a romantic relationship, while others suggest it is about two individuals facing an external threat. However, regardless of the interpretation, the song is a powerful ode to facing one's fears head-on and not letting them overpower you.
Line by Line Meaning
Up with your turret
Rise up and defend yourself
Aren't we just terrified?
Aren't we absolutely frightened?
Shale, screen your worry from what you won't ever find
Make sure your concerns do not overshadow your discovery of what you're searching for
Don't let it fool you
Don't be deceived by appearances
Don't let it fool you down
Do not let the deception bring you down
Dancing around, folds in her gown
She is twirling and swirling in her dress
Sea and the rock below
The ocean and the stones beneath
Cocked to the undertow
Being pulled by the waters below the surface level
Bones blood and teeth erode
The physical body is slowly and steadily deteriorating
They will be crashing low
The end is near
Wings wouldn't help you
Wings would be futile in your defeat
Wings wouldn't help you down
The wings would be of no use while you fall
Down towards the ground, gravity's proud.
Falling to the earth, gravity is in control
You barely are blinking
Your eyes aren't opening much
Wagging your face around
Moving your face in all directions
When'd this just become a mortal home?
When did this world become just a temporary home?
Won't, won't, won't, won't
I will not
Won't let you talk me
I will not let you persuade me
Won't let you talk me... down
I won't let you discourage me
We'll pull it taut, nothing let out
We'll tighten it up so that nothing can escape
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Your-Local_Gamer
The song "Rosyln" by Bon Iver & St. Vincent is open to interpretation, and different listeners may find different meanings in the lyrics. However, here is a possible interpretation:
The lyrics evoke a sense of fear and uncertainty. The imagery of being up in a turret and feeling terrified suggests a feeling of vulnerability and being on guard. The line "Shale, screen your worry from what you won't ever find" could mean hiding worries or fears from something that will never be discovered or resolved.
The song mentions dancing and folds in a gown, which could represent a moment of escape or distraction from the underlying anxieties. However, the references to the sea, rock, bones, blood, and teeth eroding suggest a sense of decay or impending destruction.
The line "Wings wouldn't help you down" could imply that even with the ability to fly or escape, there's no way to avoid facing the challenges or consequences. The mention of gravity being proud reinforces the idea of being pulled down or grounded.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The line "When'd this just become a mortal home?" suggests a realization of the transience of human existence.
The repetition of "Won't let you talk me down" could indicate a refusal to be discouraged or influenced by negative forces. The final line "We'll pull it taut, nothing let out" could symbolize holding everything tightly together, not allowing emotions or vulnerabilities to be exposed.
Overall, the song seems to explore themes of fear, uncertainty, mortality, and the struggle to maintain resilience and inner strength in the face of challenges.
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I really wonder how or what 'normal' to others feel like.