When They Come
Devendra Banhart Lyrics


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When they come from over the mountain
Yeah we'll run we'll run right around them
We've got no guns no we don't have any weapons
Just our cornmeal and our children
The dusk runs, the dark clouds, but not us, but not us
While we pay for mistakes with no meaning
All your gifts and all your peace is deceiving
And still our pain dissolves with believing
That peace comes, that peace comes, that peace comes, that peace comes
Now that our bones lay buried below us
Just like stones pressed into the earth
Well we ain't known by no one before us
And we begin with this one little birth
That grows on, that grows on, that grows on, that grows on
Crippled crow say something for grieving
Where do we go once we start leaving?
Well close that wound
Or else keep on bleeding




And change your tune
It's got no meaning.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Devendra Banhart's "When They Come" tell a story of hope in the face of adversity. The opening lines speak of a community living in the shadow of a mountain and facing the threat of an unknown enemy approaching from that direction. Despite their lack of weaponry, they choose to trust in their own resourcefulness and determination, and decide to run around their opponents rather than trying to fight them head-on. The second verse takes a more philosophical turn, speaking of the transience of life and the universal experience of pain and suffering. The chorus repeats the mantra of peace, suggesting that it can be achieved through the power of belief.


The third verse introduces the metaphor of buried bones, symbolizing the generations of people who have existed before us and upon whose legacy we build our own lives. The message here is one of humility and the acceptance of our place in the grand scheme of things. The final lines of the verse speak of growth, suggesting that even though we may not be remembered by those who come after us, our influence and impact on the world will continue to grow and evolve.


The song's bridge takes a darker turn, with the image of a "crippled crow" (which could represent death or decay) asking where we go once we start leaving. This line evokes a sense of existential dread and uncertainty, but the singer chooses to respond with the command to "close that wound or else keep on bleeding." In other words, we must learn to heal ourselves and move forward in spite of the inevitable hardships of life. The final line "change your tune, it's got no meaning" could be interpreted as a call to abandon old patterns of thinking that no longer serve us or lead to a sense of fulfillment.


Line by Line Meaning

When they come from over the mountain
When the enemy comes from the other side of the mountain


Yeah we'll run we'll run right around them
We'll escape from them by running around them


We've got no guns no we don't have any weapons
We do not possess any firearms or weaponry


Just our cornmeal and our children
All we have are our sustenance and our offspring


The dusk runs, the dark clouds, but not us, but not us
Despite the approaching night and ominous clouds, we remain unafraid


While we pay for mistakes with no meaning
We suffer the consequences of senseless faults


All your gifts and all your peace is deceiving
Material possessions and superficial tranquility are misleading


And still our pain dissolves with believing
Optimism relieves the agony we endure


That peace comes, that peace comes, that peace comes, that peace comes
Persisting in our faith that harmony will eventually arise


Now that our bones lay buried below us
Our forebears lie in graves beneath our feet


Just like stones pressed into the earth
Their remains are like rocks embedded in the soil


Well we ain't known by no one before us
Our existence is not preceded by any notable history


And we begin with this one little birth
Our story commences with a single individual's delivery


That grows on, that grows on, that grows on, that grows on
That expands into a larger narrative over time


Crippled crow say something for grieving
Sorrowful crow, utter some words of solace


Where do we go once we start leaving?
To where do we depart when we're on the verge of departing?


Well close that wound
Attend to your injuries


Or else keep on bleeding
Otherwise, remain hurt and suffer continually


And change your tune
Alter your attitude


It's got no meaning.
As it has no true significance.




Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@martinfrasier5167

That voice is pretty unique and is hard to replicate when I sit in the garden try to mimic

@sciopadore

very nice,thank u!

@dorukekelikk

En iyisi.

@Fern0111

the song is actually called "cripple crow"

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