"Heather Dale's songs express something that honors tradition, but in keeping with the best of traditions they break new ground." WDVR FM (USA)
exile
Heather Dale Lyrics
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You want someone to love, but not someone I can
The wilderness calls me again
A trusted friend in my exile
I'm free in my exile, I'm free
The stringless thorns replace the fishhooks in my flesh
You try to draw me in but still deny the net
While I forget in my exile
I'm free in my exile, I'm free to forget
I brand these rags and tatters on my feet
Here are tests I know that I can beat
You say that I am weak and kiss the tears away
You offer what I need for more than I can pay
My choice is who I should betray
Or to stay in my exile
I'm free in my exile, I'm free to stay
I'm free in my exile
I'm free in my exile, I'm free
I'm free again
The lyrics to Heather Dale's song "Exile" seem to be about a person who has chosen to live in isolation and independence from others. The opening lines suggest that someone is asking for love or affection from the singer but they do not want to be burdened with the responsibility of caring for that person. The singer says that they are being called back to the wilderness, which implies that they have lived in isolation before and find solace in it. The line "a trusted friend in my exile" suggests that the wilderness is a familiar and comforting place to the singer.
The next verse contains the lines "the stringless thorns replace the fishhooks in my flesh" which is a metaphor for the singer freeing themselves from the expectations and demands of others. They imply that others have tried to lure them back into society, but have not succeeded. The singer is able to ignore the world and focus on their own survival, which gives them a sense of freedom. The lines "I'm free in my exile, I'm free to forget" show that the singer is free from the emotional burden of relationships and human connection.
The final verse contains the line "you say that I am weak and kiss the tears away" which suggests that the singer has had a past relationship with the person they are addressing. The relationship ended because the singer felt that they couldn't handle the demands and expectations of the other person. The line "my choice is who I should betray or to stay in my exile" shows that the singer understands that they are rejecting human relationships, but are doing so in order to maintain their independence and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
You're begging on your knees without dirtying your hand
You're asking for help without being willing to put in any work to earn it
You want someone to love, but not someone I can
You're looking for love, but not with me specifically
The wilderness calls me again
I feel compelled to leave civilization and return to nature
A trusted friend in my exile
I have a reliable companion who joins me in my solitude
I'm free in my exile, I'm free
Being alone in the wilderness gives me freedom from societal constraints
The stringless thorns replace the fishhooks in my flesh
I'm no longer being hurt by others, but by natural surroundings
You try to draw me in but still deny the net
You're trying to bring me back to society, but you won't allow me full freedom
You're clinging to what I have left
You're holding onto me, hoping to get something out of me
While I forget in my exile
Meanwhile, I'm trying to forget the pain I've experienced
I brand these rags and tatters on my feet
I embrace the hardships of the wilderness and take pride in my endurance
Here are tests I know that I can beat
I'm confident in my ability to overcome the challenges presented by the wilderness
You say that I am weak and kiss the tears away
You console me and call me weak at the same time
You offer what I need for more than I can pay
You're offering me something that's too expensive for me to pay for
My choice is who I should betray
I have to decide whether to betray you or abandon the wilderness
Or to stay in my exile
Or to remain alone in the wilderness
I'm free in my exile, I'm free to stay
By staying in the wilderness, I'm still free from society's constraints
I'm free in my exile
I have true freedom in my solitude
I'm free in my exile, I'm free
Nothing can take away the freedom I have found by living alone in the wilderness
I'm free again
I've regained my freedom by isolating myself from society
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.