singer-songwriter and actor. He has also performed and recorded with the English Folk-Rock act Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit.
Flynn released his debut album, A Larum, in 2008. This was followed by the Sweet William EP in 2009 and his second album Been Listening in 2010. 'Been Listening' includes the singles album Kentucky Pill, Barnacled Warship and The Water, which features a duet with Laura Marling.
Howl
Johnny Flynn Lyrics
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Wherever that was
And howl for the homage
That's been gone and lost
To the passing and temporal
The eons gone by
There's nothing to praise
All was holy has been shot
And in flying too low
The rest will soon follow
Oh, the rest will soon go
Stay in the light, Joe
Stay with yourself
Put up a fight
Don't rest on the shelf
Growl at the pedestal
Growl at the pinch
The last of the ports
Has broken the winch
Oh the legacy is gone
And the people who knew
Have lost their minds
Oh left, there's a few
Who are choking on what
And the will to hold on
With their principles pinned
To the courts up above
Stay in the light, Joe
Stay with yourself
Put up a fight
Don't rest on the shelf
Me and the teardrop
Me and the mountain
Oh me and the cheque
And to meet my accountant
Oh me and the wolf
Who has eaten my heart
And me and my friends
Who laugh in the dark
Oh and you and yours two
And you are yours three
And you and yours ever
And ever be free
Stay in the light, Joe
Stay with yourself
Put up a fight
Don't rest on the shelf
The lyrics to Johnny Flynn's "Howl" are a call to howl for one's homeland and for the homage that has been lost. It is a song that expresses a sense of loss and despair, yet also encourages the listener to stay in the light and put up a fight. The first verse reflects on the passing of time and how everything that was once holy or revered has been shot down or lost. There is a sense of hopelessness and resignation that all will soon go. The chorus responds to this with a call to action, reminding the listener to stay true to themselves and to keep fighting.
The second verse shifts the focus to the present and the issues that we face today. The pedestal and pinch refer to those in power and the harm they cause. The last of the ports has broken the winch- this can be interpreted as the last hope for change being lost. The legacy is gone, and those who remember it have lost their minds. The verse suggests that the will to hold on with principles pinned to the courts above is futile. This verse resonates with current issues of corruption and lack of accountability in leadership.
The final verse is a series of vignettes- Me and the teardrop, me and the mountain, me and the cheque- these are all moments of personal struggle. The line "the wolf who has eaten my heart" is a metaphor for feeling defeated or broken. However, it ends on a note of hope- "you and yours ever and ever be free". The message in the song is to keep fighting and stay true to oneself, even in the midst of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Howl for my homeland
Cry out for the place that I call home
Wherever that was
Even if I don't know where that is
And howl for the homage
And let out a howl to honor
That's been gone and lost
What has been gone and lost
To the passing and temporal
To the fleeting and temporary nature of things
The eons gone by
Things that have already passed by centuries ago
There's nothing to praise
There is nothing worth honoring
Not in earth, sea or sky
Not in any part of nature
All was holy has been shot
Anything that was once sacred has been destroyed
And in flying too low
And by aiming too low
The rest will soon follow
Everything else will soon decline
Stay in the light, Joe
Keep yourself in the path of enlightenment,
Stay with yourself
Stay true to who you are
Put up a fight
Don't give up without a struggle
Don't rest on the shelf
Don't let yourself become stagnant
Growl at the pedestal
Snarl at anything held in high esteem
Growl at the pinch
Growl at anything that causes suffering
The last of the ports
The final safe haven
Has broken the winch
Has lost its means for support
Oh the legacy is gone
Any lasting impact has disappeared
And the people who knew
The individuals who understood the impact
Have lost their minds
Have become insane
Oh left, there's a few
There are only a few left
Who are choking on what
Who are finding it hard to cope
And the will to hold on
And the desire to persevere
With their principles pinned
With their core values in mind
To the courts up above
Hoping for a fair trial in the afterlife
Me and the teardrop
Just me and my tears
Me and the mountain
Just me and the challenge I must overcome
Oh me and the cheque
Oh just me and the money I earn
And to meet my accountant
And meeting the person who handles my finances
Oh me and the wolf
Oh just me and the predator
Who has eaten my heart
Which has taken my love and passion
And me and my friends
And me and the individuals I surround myself with
Who laugh in the dark
Who can still find joy in difficult times
Oh and you and yours two
Oh and you and your immediate family
And you are yours three
And you and your extended family
And you and yours ever
And you and your descendants forever
And ever be free
May they always be free to follow their own path
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN PATRICK VIVIAN FLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tabbyclawproductions7943
Aha! I knew it!! All along, he was a werewoof!
@SauleNewell
And the Knightley sideburns only confirm this theory.
@cyrylm
!
@tabbyclawproductions7943
What??