For Every Field There's a Mole
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics
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there's nothing he can't get past
no obstacle he cannot erase
for every king there's a crown
and every time I look around
I am the kin of infinite space
for every field there's a mole
and the sightlessness that lets him go free
for every drought there's a rain
and when my earth's in pain
I watch it boil o tearfully
there's a time to sing these things
and a time to have them sung
a time to bring the tune
and a time to have it brung
there's a lap for resting head
there's the only nesting bed
there's the souls to cry among
for the things that don't get sung
and a hand to hold your throat
to stifle that crying choke
The opening lines of the song suggest the idea of human resilience - for every man who will last, there is no obstacle he cannot overcome. The lyrics then go on to describe the belongingness of every individual - every king has a crown and the singer is connected to the infinite space. Moving on to the metaphorical imagery, the verses then suggest that for every field there's a mole, which can be interpreted to mean that even the best of things have their flaws or secrets. The mole here is a symbol of imperfection and hidden aspects. The idea of every drought having rain can be seen as the cycle of life - where there are bad days, there always comes a better day, which helps one get through life, even when it is seemingly unbearable.
Furthermore, the lyrics in the chorus suggest two things - firstly, how some emotions and thoughts are too heavy to carry alone and need to be expressed, and secondly, how there are people and places that offer solace during hard times. The last line about the hand choking the singer's cry can be interpreted as someone stopping them from expressing themselves. It might be someone's fear of expressing their vulnerabilities or fears out loud, but there lies the need to express the heavy emotions, even when someone is there to suppress them.
Overall, the song reflects on the human experience, with imagery of nature, alternating between perspectives of strength and weakness, life and death, good and evil. It is an introspective song, talking about the things that don't get sung, but need to be expressed.
Line by Line Meaning
For every man who will last
Every man has the ability to persevere through any obstacle.
there's nothing he can't get past
No challenge is insurmountable for a determined person.
no obstacle he cannot erase
Any hindrance can be overcome with hard work and perseverance.
for every king there's a crown
Every leader has a symbol of their power and authority.
and every time I look around
The singer is always aware of their surroundings.
I am the kin of infinite space
The singer feels a connection to the vastness of the universe.
for every field there's a mole
Every area has its own secrets and hidden aspects.
with the soil that he stole
The mole takes what it needs from the earth to survive.
and the sightlessness that lets him go free
The mole's inability to see allows it to move uninhibited through the soil.
for every drought there's a rain
Even the most difficult times will eventually come to an end.
and when my earth's in pain
The singer feels a deep connection to the natural world.
I watch it boil o tearfully
The singer is emotionally affected by the suffering of the earth.
there's a time to sing these things
There are certain moments when it is appropriate to express oneself.
and a time to have them sung
There are also times when it is better to listen to others.
a time to bring the tune
Sometimes it is our responsibility to share our own voice.
and a time to have it brung
Other times, we must simply let others speak for us.
there's a lap for resting head
There is comfort to be found in the presence of another person.
there's the only nesting bed
Home is a place of safety and rest.
there's the souls to cry among
We all need someone to turn to in times of emotional turmoil.
for the things that don't get sung
Some feelings are too difficult to express in words or song.
and a hand to hold your throat
Sometimes we need someone to stop us from speaking, either for our own good or for the sake of others.
to stifle that crying choke
To prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by our emotions.
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.