Since forming in Brighton in 2008, Esben and the Witch have had just a few releases behind them including "Lucia, at the Precipice" from February 2010 - and have had positive press support from NME, Pitchfork Media and The Guardian, plus experience of concerts alongside Warpaint, The xx, Wild Beasts, Foals and The Big Pink.
In May 2010 the band contributed to the London edition of The Creators Project, warping one of 33's tracks, "Corridors", into an eighteen-minute soundscape to soundtrack artist Karl Sadler's lit forest installation.
On October 19th 2010 it was revealed that the band were nominated for a Q Award as "next big thing", pipped to the post by Clare Maguire at the Awards on October 25. The following day Matador Records announced the band's debut album Violet Cries is to be released in January/February 2011.
The band were included in the BBC Sound of 2011 poll long-list, announced December 7th.
Yellow Wood
Esben and the Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the ground has split in half,
Like the claws of a cloven hoof.
Where the shelves have shifted fast,
Raising highways for the lost
Explorers, searching for truth.
Fault lines disappear
Imposing it's varved clay beak.
A wishbone pulled apart
By a child in the dark,
Who's hoping for the larger tusk.
Take my hand, lead me south,
To the maw, that gaping mouth
From where the dumb mud drips.
These dreams may be too late
But return me to the wake
And into the stream, I'll slip.
But greed for greener grass
Lures me cruelly to the past,
Like a siren calling from the rock.
Left stranded in a vale,
It's lonely in the shade
That wicked memory makes.
So come find me, in a yellow wood.
I'll be waiting, in a yellow wood.
You and I, in a yellow wood.
All alone, in a yellow wood.
(If you ride to the right, you will lose you head)
(If you ride to the left, you will lose your horse)
The song "Yellow Wood" by Esben and the Witch is a melancholic and introspective piece that deals with the longing for a return to a past time and place where the singer once felt more alive. The opening lines suggest a desire to rediscover a path that has been lost, one where the ground has split in half and the shelves have shifted fast. These metaphors are indicative of the various unexpected twists and turns that the singer has encountered in their quest for truth and understanding. The reference to a cloven hoof adds a touch of mysticism and suggests the presence of dark forces that have influenced their journey.
The following lines express the singer's frustration at the constant change and unpredictability of life, as reflected in the imagery of fault lines disappearing and hanging walls imposing themselves. The allusion to a wishbone being pulled apart by a child in the dark conveys a sense of yearning for something beyond their control, something that may never be fully realized. However, the final lines of the verse offer a glimmer of hope as the singer asks to be led back to the present moment, to slip back into the stream of life.
The second half of the song returns to the theme of the past, with the singer acknowledging the lure of nostalgia and the danger of being trapped in memories that no longer serve them. The reference to a yellow wood brings to mind the vibrant colors of autumn, but also suggests a sense of foreboding and isolation. The final lines of the song provide a cryptic warning, suggesting that any path one chooses will inevitably lead to loss, underscoring the song's bittersweet message.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me back to the path,
Guide me back to the right track,
Where the ground has split in half,
Where the earth is divided,
Like the claws of a cloven hoof.
Like the sharp talons of a two-toed foot,
Where the shelves have shifted fast,
Where the ledges have quickly moved,
Raising highways for the lost
Creating roads for the misguided ones,
Explorers, searching for truth.
Adventurers seeking for reality.
Fault lines disappear
Cracks vanish,
Now the hanging wall is here,
Currently, the overhanging rock is present,
Imposing it's varved clay beak.
Dominating with its layered mud skull.
A wishbone pulled apart
A forked bone separated,
By a child in the dark,
By a kid in the night,
Who's hoping for the larger tusk.
Expecting to get the bigger branch.
Take my hand, lead me south,
Hold my hand, guide me the opposite direction,
To the maw, that gaping mouth
Towards the open jaws,
From where the dumb mud drips.
From the place where the silence clay leaks.
These dreams may be too late
These aspirations could be belated.
But return me to the wake
Still, wake me up again,
And into the stream, I'll slip.
And I'll smoothly slide into the brook.
But greed for greener grass
However, the desire for a lusher pasture
Lures me cruelly to the past,
Mercilessly attracts me back to yesteryears,
Like a siren calling from the rock.
Much like a temptress singing from the cliff.
Left stranded in a vale,
Abandoned in a valley,
It's lonely in the shade
It's desolate in the shadows,
That wicked memory makes.
That tormenting recollection causes.
So come find me, in a yellow wood.
Therefore search for me, within a golden forest.
I'll be waiting, in a yellow wood.
I'll be anticipating, in a gold-colored timberland.
You and I, in a yellow wood.
You and I, in a golden jungle.
All alone, in a yellow wood.
All by myself, in a yellowish forest.
(If you ride to the right, you will lose you head)
A warning that proceeding in the right direction could be dangerous.
(If you ride to the left, you will lose your horse)
A caution that taking the opposite direction could result in loss.
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Somerstown Film Ltd
Some fantastic albums since but still one of my fave tracks! This version is delightful to say the least :)
To the Sun
My god. Why isn't there more music like this out there? Anyone want to start a band with me?
To the Sun
@Maxi what do you play?
To the Sun
@Maxi yeah it's crazy what changes with time. My life has actually been ruined by CRPS since I posted this. I used to play guitar, sing, bass or whatever instrument you put in my hands, but now I can only play a little keyboard with my feet each evening. Still, if you wanted to send some drumbeat my way maybe I could build on it and we could collaborate.
L. Duke
@To the Sun Hey, truly sorry to hear that.. intractable pain is BS:( I understand unfortunately, E.D.S. for me. If you ever want someone to chat with about music or health stuff not many understand shout out to me. I don't always get messages from YouTube fast but will get back. Hope you are still getting to enjoy music now
Shon Kobzeff
I am very impressed with the song and the performance. Such feeling......
Nuovese Motion Pictures
Ain't gonna lie, best band ever.
friggio1983
Beautiful!
Dallas Ferguson
This band has taken over my life
LUNAR LIGHT
excellent- iv never heard this track before