Hunter & The Bear are a British trio of Jimmy Hunter, Will Irvine & Josh Ab… Read Full Bio ↴Hunter & The Bear are a British trio of Jimmy Hunter, Will Irvine & Josh Abdelfatah.

Inspired by artists such as The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bruce Springsteen Will & Jimmy started to write and perform as a duo. Jimmy took responsibility for lead guitar, mandolin and vocal whilst beside him Will not only played rhythm guitar but also kick drum and joint lead vocals. Will took a performance course at University, where he met Josh who was also pursuing the same degree.

Jimmy & Will had already decided they needed a third member to play bass and over a few drinks, and despite already being an accomplished guitarist, Josh decided to learn the bass. This completed the band lineup and in November 2012 the trio all moved to London to bring their own brand of power folk to the huddled masses. A mix of folk, country & rock, tight three part harmonies and explosive energy ensures an impressive live show.

RISE
Hunter & the Bear Lyrics

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I'm lost in the night
Alone in the dark
Silence it cuts through my skin

I Fall to my knees
The trees cut me down
No one should know where I've been
No one should know where I've been

Come out of the woods
And into the sun
Come out of the woods
When you're done
Return to the place
Where we used to roam
Return to the place we were young

Young
Young

The cold in the air
Tears in my eyes
Moonlight looks on through the leaves

I rise to my feet
And look to the sky
Follow the light that I see

Come out of the woods
And into the sun
Come out of the woods
When you're done

Return to the place
Where we used to roam
Return to the place
We were young

Oh I'll rise
Oh I'll rise
Oh I'll rise
Oh I'll rise

Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise

Come out of the woods
And into the sun
Come out of the woods
When you're done

Return to the palace
Where we used to roam
Return to the place
We were young

Young
Young

Young
Young

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hunter & the Bear's song Rise are an empowering message of resilience and redemption. The opening lines introduce the singer as lost in the night and alone in the dark with silence cutting through their skin. The singer describes being cut down by trees and feeling like no one should know where they have been. The lyrical imagery presents the singer in a vulnerable state, wounded and lost in a dark forest.

However, the tone shifts in the chorus. The singer incites themselves (and listeners) to come out of the woods and into the sun, as if they are a beacon of hope. They ask themselves to return to the place where they used to roam and were young. The use of the word 'we' is interesting here because it implies a communal experience of childhood nostalgia and growth. This sense of community is continued in the repetitions of 'Rise' in the song's outro. Ultimately, the song is about survival - the 'rising' of the title refers to the singer overcoming their struggles and finding a way to move forward.

Overall, the song 'Rise' is a powerful and inspiring message about the importance of resilience and community. Through a simple but effective sequence of images, the song communicates a sense of vulnerability and then triumph, culminating in the repetition of the chorus that encourages listeners to come out of the woods and into the sun.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm lost in the night
Feeling directionless amidst the darkness of the night

Alone in the dark
Solitude in the pitch-black darkness

Silence it cuts through my skin
The oppressive silence feels like a physical harm

I Fall to my knees
The unbearable weight of the situation causing one to collapse

The trees cut me down
Feeling like the natural elements are battling against you

No one should know where I've been
A desire to keep one's struggles and difficulties hidden from others

Come out of the woods
Leave the harsh and isolating environment behind

And into the sun
Step into the warmth and light of a new day or opportunity

When you're done
Take the time necessary before moving on from a difficult situation

Return to the place
Head back to a familiar and comforting location or mindset

Where we used to roam
Remember the care-free times of the past