All Wash Out
Edward Sharpe %26 the Magnetic Zeros Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here come chilly preacher
Stumbling 'gainst the wind
Singing love, love is something to believe in
A prayer and the sea
And twenty tons of me
Crying love, love is something to believe in

To my child of wonder rambling
All my crooked fingers pointing blame
Let it all wash out in the rain
Yes let it all wash out in the rain

Beyond the drunken focus of my aim
All my heroes twisting in the flame
Let's let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain

One more for forgiveness
All twistin' in the cold
Singing love, love is something I believe in
Too much my defenses
Are dangling from the chain
Oh but free, free is something to believe in

To my god I want my gypsy train
Too my child a howlin' tambourine
Let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain




Yes let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain

Overall Meaning

"All Wash Out" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is a song that speaks to the power of love and forgiveness. The opening lines introduce a "chilly preacher" stumbling against the wind, singing about love being something to believe in. The imagery of "a prayer and the sea and twenty tons of me" highlights the weight of the singer's struggles, but he finds solace in the belief that love can carry him through.


The chorus repeats the phrase "let it all wash out in the rain" as a metaphor for releasing the past and starting anew. The singer addresses both his "child of wonder rambling" and his "god" about his desire to let go of blame and defensiveness, referencing his heroes and his own shortcomings. The song ends on a note of hope, declaring that freedom is also something to believe in.


This powerful song encourages us to let go of our grievances, forgive ourselves and others, and embrace love and freedom as the way forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Here come chilly preacher
A preacher is approaching in the cold weather


Stumbling 'gainst the wind
He is struggling to walk against the wind


Singing love, love is something to believe in
He is singing about the power of love and how it gives hope


A prayer and the sea
A combination of prayer and the vastness of the sea


And twenty tons of me
The artist is feeling overwhelmed and heavy


Crying love, love is something to believe in
Reaffirming the importance of love and how it can give meaning to life


To my child of wonder rambling
To the singer's child who is curious and wandering aimlessly


All my crooked fingers pointing blame
The artist is admitting to pointing blame at others with their fingers


Let it all wash out in the rain
Let all the negativity and blame be washed away in the rain


Yes let it all wash out in the rain
Emphasizing the importance of letting go of blame


Beyond the drunken focus of my aim
The singer feels lost and unable to focus their goals when drunk


All my heroes twisting in the flame
The people who inspire the artist are under pressure and struggling


Let's let it all wash out in the rain
The singer suggests that letting go of negativity can be cleansing


Let it all wash out in the rain
Repeating the importance of letting go


One more for forgiveness
Asking for one more chance to be forgiven


All twistin' in the cold
Feeling tormented and uncomfortable in the cold weather


Singing love, love is something I believe in
Reaffirming the artist's belief in the power of love


Too much my defenses
The singer has been too defensive


Are dangling from the chain
The singer feels vulnerable and exposed


Oh but free, free is something to believe in
Despite feeling vulnerable, the artist believes in the importance of being free


To my god I want my gypsy train
To the artist's god, they express a desire for a nomadic and free lifestyle


Too my child a howlin' tambourine
To the artist's child, they want to give them something expressive and loud


Let it all wash out in the rain
The singer suggests again to let go of negativity


Let it all wash out in the rain
Repeating the importance of letting go of negativity


Yes let it all wash out in the rain
Emphasizing the cleansing power of letting negativity go




Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Amanda Gallegos

Sophia is the actor in the film.

Here's her story. 

Dear Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Thank you for your incredible music. I first heard your songs, when my sweet sister Sophie entered a music video contest producing a video for your song: ‘All Wash Out’. The combination of your beautiful music and her great talent has left an eternal imprint on my mind.

Sophie, my little sister was just 20 when she entered the contest. This Sunday we played the video at her memorial service. She passed away recently during an exchange semester in Prague. She suffered from a brain hemorrhage and just never woke up from her sleep one night.

I find the description (which went along with her video); ‘A girl goes on a journey to wash away what’s behind her leading to her rebirth’ incredibly moving as she would have no idea that she would soon leave this earth. Sophie was not meant to act in the video, but due to incredible karmic circumstances, the actress who was supposed to participate was prevented to come (last minute) and Sophie stepped in. Both acting and directing. 
It gives indescribable joy and comfort to be able to turn to this video, during this period of grieving and to know that it will stay with us. She spread such an unbelievable amount of joy and light during her—much too short – life. And has left the world forever richer.

I realize that it is a long shot, but it would mean very, very much to us if there were any way you would be able to help share this last memory of Sophie. In any case, I truly thank you for having been a catalyst in Soph leaving the world this beautiful video.

I apologize that my English is not sufficient to express my emotions (I am from Denmark), but I hope it has made sense.

Thank you again, Luna.



PeeNong World

"All Wash Out"

Here come chilly preacher
Stumbling 'gainst the wind
Singing love, love is something to believe in
A prayer and the sea
And twenty tons of me
Crying love, love is something to believe in

To my child of wonder rambling
All my crooked fingers pointing blame
Let it all wash out in the rain
Yes let it all wash out in the rain

Beyond the drunken focus of my aim
All my heroes twisting in the flame
Let's let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain

One more for forgiveness
Twisting in the cold
Singing love, love is something I believe in
Too much my defenses
Are dangling from the chain
Oh but free, free is something to believe in

To my god I want my gypsy train
Too my child a howlin' tambourine
Let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain
Yes let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain



All comments from YouTube:

Amanda Gallegos

Sophia is the actor in the film.

Here's her story. 

Dear Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Thank you for your incredible music. I first heard your songs, when my sweet sister Sophie entered a music video contest producing a video for your song: ‘All Wash Out’. The combination of your beautiful music and her great talent has left an eternal imprint on my mind.

Sophie, my little sister was just 20 when she entered the contest. This Sunday we played the video at her memorial service. She passed away recently during an exchange semester in Prague. She suffered from a brain hemorrhage and just never woke up from her sleep one night.

I find the description (which went along with her video); ‘A girl goes on a journey to wash away what’s behind her leading to her rebirth’ incredibly moving as she would have no idea that she would soon leave this earth. Sophie was not meant to act in the video, but due to incredible karmic circumstances, the actress who was supposed to participate was prevented to come (last minute) and Sophie stepped in. Both acting and directing. 
It gives indescribable joy and comfort to be able to turn to this video, during this period of grieving and to know that it will stay with us. She spread such an unbelievable amount of joy and light during her—much too short – life. And has left the world forever richer.

I realize that it is a long shot, but it would mean very, very much to us if there were any way you would be able to help share this last memory of Sophie. In any case, I truly thank you for having been a catalyst in Soph leaving the world this beautiful video.

I apologize that my English is not sufficient to express my emotions (I am from Denmark), but I hope it has made sense.

Thank you again, Luna.

Masson Clara

The memory of your sister is still living, and will last forever. It's one of my favorite song of that band since some years now, and I never had watched the video until now, so I just discover the history of Sophie today. Big HUG for You and tour family. Bless her Soul.

Christoph Lausegger

❤🥀🕯🌱🌈👼💚

Miranda Schwartz

This is my favorite song of all time. It offers me inspiration for how to live my life simply, naturally, and with a healthy sense of curiosity and adventure. Your beautiful sister comes to mind each time I listen to this song.

Danielle Martin

Sending love and my condolences 💐

Jerry Runstrom

Her soul is now with us forever.. what a beautiful tribute....

8 More Replies...

Piplup J

She seems like the kind of woman who appreciated everything there is to life and who made everyday count. Whilst her body may be resting in peace; I'm certain her soul is still dancing.

PeeNong World

"All Wash Out"

Here come chilly preacher
Stumbling 'gainst the wind
Singing love, love is something to believe in
A prayer and the sea
And twenty tons of me
Crying love, love is something to believe in

To my child of wonder rambling
All my crooked fingers pointing blame
Let it all wash out in the rain
Yes let it all wash out in the rain

Beyond the drunken focus of my aim
All my heroes twisting in the flame
Let's let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain

One more for forgiveness
Twisting in the cold
Singing love, love is something I believe in
Too much my defenses
Are dangling from the chain
Oh but free, free is something to believe in

To my god I want my gypsy train
Too my child a howlin' tambourine
Let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain
Yes let it all wash out in the rain
Let it all wash out in the rain

Ricky Kilmer

Beautiful, all of it. Especially Sophie and her loving sister Luna, and how this all came to be, poetic. Namaste, Orenda, Selah.

Thaines Recila

Não tenho como expressar a beleza desse clipe, a beleza dessa música... Presente de Deus!

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