"Heather Dale's songs express something that honors tradition, but in keeping with the best of traditions they break new ground." WDVR FM (USA)
Hunter
Heather Dale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd give you a life full of risk, and the whirlwind of joy that can be
Don't try to bind me, just love me without any greed
And I'll give you the world, and my heart, and the air that I breathe
Slip the jesses my love
This hunter you own from the hood to the glove
When the circling and striking are done, and I land,
I have no illusions to think that I know what will come
I laugh at the concept of life as a simple result of the sun
I just want to hold you, and share with you all of this life
With the stars in the darkness, and love in the light, and its dizzying height
Slip the jesses my love
This hunter you own from the hood to the glove
When the circling and striking are done, and I land,
Let me come back to your hand, let me come back to your hand
Slip the jesses my love
The hunter you own from the hood to the glove
When the circling and striking are done, and I land
Let me come back to your hand, let me come back to your hand
Let me come back to your hand.
In Heather Dale's song "Hunter," the singer is expressing their commitment to their lover, but with a recognition that their own nature may lead them to take risks and explore the world beyond their relationship. The opening lines set the tone for this dynamic as the singer promises nothing and takes only that which is freely given. They offer a life full of joy and adventure, but not at the cost of being tied down by greed or possessiveness.
The chorus of the song uses the metaphor of a falconer and their trained bird to convey this idea. "Slip the jesses," the straps that hold the bird's legs, is a signal to release the bird for its hunting flight. The singer refers to themselves as the hunter in this metaphor, owned by their lover from the hood to the glove (the falconry terms for the bird's protective gear). However, when the "circling and striking are done" and the hunter returns, they ask to "come back to your hand."
In the second verse, the singer admits that they don't know what the future holds and rejects any simplistic notions of life as a result of the sun. They want to share their whole life with their lover and experience its highs and lows together. The chorus is repeated twice, emphasizing the importance of both freedom and returning to the safety and love of their partner.
Overall, the song is about the tension between freedom and commitment in a relationship. The singer acknowledges their own desires for adventure while also recognizing the importance of their lover in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I promise you nothing, I take only that which is free
I won't make any promises, I will only accept what is given voluntarily.
I'd give you a life full of risk, and the whirlwind of joy that can be
I'm willing to offer a life full of uncertainty, but also with exciting adventures and happiness.
Don't try to bind me, just love me without any greed
Please don't try to control or possess me, just love me purely without any selfish motives.
And I'll give you the world, and my heart, and the air that I breathe
I'm willing to offer everything that I possess, including my love, my devotion, and the essence of my existence.
Slip the jesses my love
Remove the cords that bind me so that I can be free.
This hunter you own from the hood to the glove
You own my love and my loyalty completely and entirely.
When the circling and striking are done, and I land,
When the excitement and battle of life calms down and I settle down,
Let me come back to your hand, let me come back to your hand.
Please take me back into your embrace and your care.
I have no illusions to think that I know what will come
I'm not naive enough to believe that I can predict the future.
I laugh at the concept of life as a simple result of the sun
I find it amusing that some people see life as a straightforward, scientific phenomenon.
I just want to hold you, and share with you all of this life
All I wish for is to be close to you and to experience every aspect of life together.
With the stars in the darkness, and love in the light, and its dizzying height
From the darkest moments to the most beautiful ones, I want to experience everything with you, even the heights of excitement.
Contributed by Brooklyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@victoriascott9413
the discovery of amazing singers you would never hear/see otherwise that's what makes YouTube AMAZING
@avalonian68
While at first I realize that it is about a hawk, I can also see this being a love song. Either way, very beautiful.
@eliburry-schnepp6012
I think it's easy to read it as either literally about a falcon and falconer, or METAPHORICALLY about a relationship between two people that can be compared to a falcon and falconer.
@Phantomsbreath
@Eli Burry-Schnepp And who says that a falcon can't love their falconer?
@saraholive6655
This made me think of the Princess Bride, not because of the lyrics, but more from the general feeling it invoked, and it was simultaneously comforting and nostalgic. Absolutely lovely
@annapplegoldfinch6931
There is a movie called Ladyhawke, about two lovers who are cursed by the woman's jealous suitor: by night, the man is a wolf, and by day, the woman is a hawk. It's very beautiful, and whenever I hear this song now, I think of the movie. The music even sounds similar because of the guitar.
@sylveadiff2813
I quite enjoyed that movie myself, and thought of the same thing.
@geekydollgirl707
I was just thinking this is the perfect song for Ladyhawk!! I love that movie <3
@GobbyShoon
Annapple Goldfinch it's a good movie. My mum loves it and she got me to watch it several years ago. I really enjoyed it.
@TheJLAtwell
Yes, I like that movie, too!