All The Dogs Are Lying Down
Johnny Flynn Lyrics

I saw prayers being made with plastic rosaries
I witnessed people praying with artificial or insincere intentions using plastic rosaries, instead of genuine faith and devotion.

Carpets laid no thought for furniture
Carpets were laid without considering the harm it may cause to furniture or the environment, indicating a careless and selfish attitude.

All the dogs are lying down
The metaphorical meaning of 'dogs lying down' can be interpreted as a symbol of peace or calmness, perhaps indicating the absence of danger or the end of a conflict.

As I creep way with cracking bows
With a sense of fear or anxiety, I moved away carefully and nervously, possibly indicating a suspicious or dangerous situation.

The steeple rose
The church steeple stood high, indicating a spiritual symbol of hope and salvation.

The way unknown
The direction or path ahead is uncertain and unclear, leading to a feeling of confusion or disorientation.

The steeple (?) set me down
The church influenced or inspired me, grounding me with a sense of belonging or purpose.

I listened to the furnished ground
I paid attention to the environment around me, indicating an appreciation for nature and the living world.

She said soft things
Someone, possibly a lover or companion, spoke gently and kindly, inducing a sense of warmth or affection.

Said one who lay
The artist is referring to someone who is lying down, perhaps signaling vulnerability or weakness.

At time to see the one turn gray
The singer is referencing the aging process or the passage of time that can change an individual's physical appearance, causing them to look older or worn out.

An ash pipe brim with north heath wet(?)
The meaning of this line is unclear or ambiguous, possibly referring to a specific place or object that carries personal significance or symbolism.

But to the ground my ear had bent
The singer is listening carefully or closely to the sounds of the earth or natural surroundings, indicating a sense of connection or harmony with the environment.

Said softer things
The singer is referring to the same person as before, continuing to express gentle and intimate sentiments.

And as if I
It is unclear what this line is specifically referring to, possibly indicating a sense of doubt, confusion, or remorse.

The while my horse ran a mile
While the artist is engaged in deep thought or emotion, their horse is running a long distance, indicating a sense of abandonment or disregard for the physical world.

And lying in the black I wept
The artist is crying or expressing sadness while lying in darkness, perhaps indicating a sense of despair or loneliness.

For nare a lad so wayward crept
Nobody else has wandered or traveled so aimlessly or recklessly, indicating a sense of isolation or uniqueness.

Listening hard, I felt too young
The singer is trying to understand or interpret the world around them, but feels inexperienced or inadequate, perhaps indicating a sense of immaturity or uncertainty.

The way would talk with older tongues
The path ahead is communicating through language or symbols that are difficult to comprehend or beyond the artist's current understanding, indicating a sense of mystery or complexity.