Roslyn
Bon Iver & St. Vincent Lyrics
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Aren't 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
Down's sitting round, folds in the gown
Sea and the rock below
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's proud
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
Will pull it taut, nothing let out
The first verse of the song starts with Bon Iver and St. Vincent asking someone to get up with their turret while expressing their own terror. The mention of shale is interesting as it is a sedimentary rock that normally contains clay or mud, which is the same material that can cause land to slope and slide. In this context, shale is used to frame the person's worry away from what they won't ever find. The second half of the verse expresses the idea that one should not let their fears and worries consume them and pull them down.
In the second verse, the scene shifts to the sea and the rock below. The language used is incredibly visceral and graphic, as it highlights the elements that can erode bones, blood, and teeth. The undertow and crashing node evoke images of the sea being an uncontrollable force to be reckoned with. The following line talks about how wings wouldn't help being pulled down by gravity. The use of gravity here seems ominous since it's described as proud. The final line of the verse questions when did this mortal life become a home, as if to say that death is looming in the near future.
The final verse repeats the idea of not being talked down, with the final line using the metaphor of pulling something taut with nothing seeping through. Overall, Rosyln is a hauntingly beautiful song that seems to touch on themes of mortality, fear, and the uncontrollable forces of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Up with your turret
Raising your defenses
Aren't we just terrified?
Acknowledging fear
Shale, screen your worry
Hiding your anxiety
From what you won't ever find
Trying to avoid the inevitable
Don't let it fool you
Warning against deception
Don't let it fool you...down
Advising to not be affected by negativity
Down's sitting round, folds in the gown
Describing a sense of lethargy
Sea and the rock below
Depicting the scenery
Cocked to the undertow
Referring to the forceful pull
Bones, blood and teeth erode
Emphasizing the destructive force
With every crashing node
Illustrating the impact of the waves
Wings wouldn't help you
Highlighting the futility of escape
Wings wouldn't help you...down
Further emphasizing the negative impact of 'down'
Down fills the ground, gravity's proud
Reinforcing the effects of depression
You barely are blinking
Showing a lack of engagement
Wagging your face around
Showing restlessness
When'd this just become a mortal home?
Questioning the true nature of existence
Won't, won't, won't, won't
Repeating refusal
Won't let you talk me
Refusing to be persuaded
Won't let you talk me down
Rejecting negativity
Will pull it taut, nothing let out
Resolving to hold firm and not give in
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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 liked your comment because it'll be your 1k likes ;)
Btw , how do you live before knowing about depression? I mean idk about depression cause back then mental illnesses were severely stigmatized we only know about schizophrenia, but looking back yeah i do have depression since i was a kid, only difference is that I'm diagnosed at 18, but it's been around since i was 5, 24 now and still under medications.. well most of it thanks to my broken family..
I really wonder how or what 'normal' to others feel like.