Running Wild
Drenge Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

As you were, like a child
Innocent and running wild
And now you're old and you're grey-haired
Your dead-eyed stare
You're running scared

When you were young the fires spread
Southeasterly to Beachy Head
And London's husk of burnt out rust
That led the lungs a bag of dust

Draw a line in the sand
Coast to coast and man to man
Repopulate the Sherwood Forest
And lynch the deathly pale dishonest

Carve a scar across the earth
Visible from high above
North and South, sever ties
Kiss your enemies goodbye

Hold my heart like a stone
Over waters deep below
And running home, through the night
I was running fast




I was running scared
I was running wild

Overall Meaning

The song "Running Wild" by Drenge is a powerful portrayal of the passage of time and how it affects people over time. The opening lines of the song are symbolic in their depiction of how youthful innocence and energy give way to the fears and anxieties of aging. The song describes how prior to the aging process people were more self-assured and confident, like children running wild. However, after getting old, people become more afraid, which is highlighted by the phrase "you're running scared."


The song then goes on to paint bleak imagery of London and Beachy Head, which are metaphors for the lifeless and unhappy reality that people often settle for as they age. The line, "And London's husk of burnt-out rust, that led the lungs a bag of dust," is exemplifying how, as people age, they become surrounded by a world that leaves them feeling worn down, like rusty metal. They exhale the same love and wonder that they inhaled at youth but most times catch nothing but pollution, both from within and without.


Line by Line Meaning

As you were, like a child
You used to be innocent and carefree, just like a child


Innocent and running wild
You were innocent and free-spirited, running around wildly without fear


And now you're old and you're grey-haired
But now you've grown older, your hair has turned grey


Your dead-eyed stare
And your eyes now look lifeless, lacking any spark of enthusiasm


You're running scared
You're now running scared, afraid of what's to come


When you were young the fires spread
When you were young, the flames of rebellion spread quickly


Southeasterly to Beachy Head
They spread so far as to reach Beachy Head, located in the southeast of England


And London's husk of burnt out rust
They even caused damage to London, leaving it looking like a burnt out shell of its former self


That led the lungs a bag of dust
Putting people's lungs at risk by leaving them full of harmful dust particles


Draw a line in the sand
It's time to take a stand, and make your intentions clear


Coast to coast and man to man
Unite together, regardless of your location or gender


Repopulate the Sherwood Forest
Bring life back to nature, starting with Sherwood Forest


And lynch the deathly pale dishonest
Get rid of those who are deceitful and live a dishonest life


Carve a scar across the earth
Make changes that will leave a noticeable impact on the world


Visible from high above
Something that can be seen from a bird's eye view


North and South, sever ties
Cut ties with those who don't share your views, regardless of where they come from


Kiss your enemies goodbye
Say goodbye to those who are against you or have wronged you


Hold my heart like a stone
Be strong, and don't let your emotions get the best of you


Over waters deep below
Even when it feels like you're drowning, stay strong


And running home, through the night
Even if it's dark and scary, keep moving forward


I was running fast
You were running as fast as you could


I was running scared
And despite your speed, you were still scared


I was running wild
But you were also running wildly, enjoying the thrill of the chase




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EOIN GEORGE LOVELESS, RORY FRANCIS LOVELESS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@_StarCorpse

Lyrics :
As you were, like a child
Innocent and running wild
And now you're old and you're grey-haired
Your dead-eyed stare
You're running scared

When you were young the fires spread
Southeasterly to Beachy Head
And London's husk of burnt out rust
That led the lungs a bag of dust

Draw a line in the sand
Coast to coast and man to man
Repopulate the Sherwood Forest
And lynch the deathly pale dishonest

Carve a scar across the earth
Visible from high above
North and South, sever ties
Kiss your enemies goodbye

Hold my heart like a stone
Over waters deep below
And running home, through the night
I was running fast
I was running scared
I was running wild



All comments from YouTube:

@hockeyboy246

I don't agree with you guys who say the video doesn't match the song. 

This reminds me of when a school friend of mine, who lived on a farm, came in one morning and casually said he'd had to kill a sick rabbit by smashing a spade over its head. Life and death is different on farms, it's just part of everyday existence, and I think this song captures it perfectly. 

Drenge are good at this - their video for Backwaters focused on isolation in the country as well (that was my interpretation anyway) and there's a bleakness to the song that really matches the video. 

Also read the lyrics to this song - absolute fucking poetry. The first line in particular matches what the girl says - I think - about living and dying in one place.

@jamieskilt

This is one of the best songs of 2015 - a real slow-burn.

@DavidHamiltonDJHammy

The ghost of 80's Killing Joke bloody brilliant.

@germandarder6043

Underrated, they are immense.

@scottgriffiths7651

I love love love love this intro and the whole song that follows

@fitz303

This Video and Tune Rock, the Video production is top notch

@chrisgreenwell511

Quality tune, these guys should be as big as royal blood.

@krashkow

Chris Greenwell Yep. Can't figure out why that haven't just exploded yet.

@Screech891

+Chris Greenwell In good time my friend!

@IsaacIsMopped

+krashkow Kind of prefer the fact that Drenge are building up a decent fanbase slowly. Royal Blood got big too quick, last time I saw Royal Blood it consisted of half the crowd wearing 'edgy' leather jackets and white t-shirts. Plus, if i hear Little Monster anymore I'll fucking cry.

More Comments