Song
Invictus Lyrics


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When the hurt shall bring you woe,

God made the healing herb to grow



A bloom on the tree
When the apples are ripe

Means the end

Of somebody’s life



Ash when green

Is fuel for a Queen



The Michaelmas daisy

Among dead leaves

Blooms for St. Micheal’s

Valorous deeds



In dock, out nettle,

Don’t let the blood settle



Elder tree, Elder tree,

Crocked, wrong

Never straight

And never strong

Never bush

And never tree,

Since our Lord

Was nailed to thee



Under a thron,

Our saviour was born



If the sagebrush

Thrives and grows,

The master’s not master

-and he knows!



St. Agnes, that’s to lovers kind,

Come ease the trouble of my mind



Elm dogrieve, Oak do hate





Willow do walk; If you travels late

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Invictus's song, "Song," are a collection of individual verses that each contain a different interpretation of nature's symbols and signs. The first verse speaks of the healing properties of certain herbs and how they grow as a natural remedy for physical pain and emotional distress. The second verse uses the metaphor of the bloom on a tree indicating the end of someone's life, suggesting that life and death are intertwined in natural cycles. The third verse talks about the Michaelmas daisy blooming among dead leaves as a symbol of courage and heroism. The fourth verse advises against letting blood settle, using dock as a remedy for this. The fifth verse speaks about the Elder tree, which has been associated with the crucifixion of Jesus and how it is never straight or strong, reinforcing the idea that man is frail and needs support. The sixth verse declares the birth of Jesus under a thorn, again using natural imagery to depict a significant event in human history. The seventh verse says that if sagebrush thrives, the master is not a master, suggesting that those who are truly in control do not need authority figures to govern them. The last verse is a plea to St. Agnes, the patron saint of lovers, to ease the mind of the singer.


The lyrics of "Song" are deeply rooted in nature and the symbolism and signs that can be interpreted from it. Each verse encourages the listener to see the world in a different light and to find meaning in the things that surround us. The use of nature as a metaphor for important events and emotions in human history allows us to connect with the world around us and understand our place in it. The last verse's plea to St. Agnes is a reminder that despite all our interpretations of nature, we still rely on the supernatural for guidance and comfort.


Line by Line Meaning

When the hurt shall bring you woe, God made the healing herb to grow
God has created a healing herb to cure the pain that brings grief.


A bloom on the tree When the apples are ripe Means the end Of somebody’s life
The appearance of the bloom on a tree signifies the end of someone's life when the apples ripen.


Ash when green Is fuel for a Queen
Ash trees when young and green, provide firewood for a Queen.


The Michaelmas daisy Among dead leaves Blooms for St. Micheal’s Valorous deeds
The blooming Michaelmas daisy signifies St. Michael's courageous acts, even among dead leaves.


In dock, out nettle, Don’t let the blood settle
Take preventive measures to not let the wound clot and ensure quick healing.


Elder tree, Elder tree, Crocked, wrong Never straight And never strong Never bush And never tree, Since our Lord Was nailed to thee
The elder tree has been crooked since it was used for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is hence never straight, strong, or bushy.


Under a thron, Our saviour was born
Jesus Christ was born under a throne.


If the sagebrush Thrives and grows, The master’s not master -and he knows!
If a sagebrush grows healthy and strong, it teaches the master that he is not always in control of everything.


St. Agnes, that’s to lovers kind, Come ease the trouble of my mind
Saint Agnes, known for her kindness to lovers, is called upon to alleviate the mental anguish of the artist.


Elm do grieve, Oak do hate Willow do walk; If you travels late
Elm trees mourn, Oak trees express hatred, Willow trees signify travel, and should not be travelled on late at night.




Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@helenpanshin5589

Invictus 

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me, 

      Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

      For my unconquerable soul. 


In the fell clutch of circumstance 

      I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

      My head is bloody, but unbowed. 


Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

      Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

      Finds and shall find me unafraid. 


It matters not how strait the gate, 

      How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

      I am the captain of my soul.



@CarlGustavStads

I prefer Dorothy Day's response to Henley:

The Captain

Out of the light that dazzles me,
Bright as the sun from pole to pole
I thank the God I know to be
For Christ-the Conqueror of my soul.

Since his the sway of circumstance
I would not wince, nor cry aloud.
Under that rule men call chance,
My head, with joy, is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears,
That life with Him – and His the aid
That, spite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and will keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear though strait the gate:
He cleared from punishment the scroll.
Christ is the Master of my fate!
Christ is the Captain of my soul.

Dorothy Day,
Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement



All comments from YouTube:

@abialston8476

i’ll never forget singing this in my choir...absolutely a surreal experience

@k-ray04

Same here, I wish my choir teacher could have done it every year(even if it got repetitive lol)

@garrettjohnston1580

I just did this song as a part of a 3 day District Choir in PA. Never have I sung a choral song more beautiful than this. I deeply connected with the lyrics (something i normally do not do) of this song and I absolutely enjoyed singing this.

@madisonbeer6355

I was there!!! And I felt the same way!!

@kevinhamby6081

WOOOOO District 3!!

@garrettjohnston1580

@@madisonbeer6355 WOOOOO!! I guess I am not the only one who came home and looked this up!

@garrettjohnston1580

@@kevinhamby6081 AHHH Yes! It was awesome.

@CrystalRoseGuitars

I was there! I was a soprano 1. It was a real fun festival. I enjoyed myself a lot!

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@zachallred9675

I have this poem memorized and have for quite a while now, it's a phenomenal poem and it's helped me get through so many hard times. I cry every time I listen and thank everyone who sang this for doing what they do

@reyn_ship7

We sang this song for all-state choir but it was different. I like this version waaaay more! It sounds so cool!!!!

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