Fog
Kristin Hersh Lyrics


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Walk a mile, then walk another mile
When you hit the fog rehearse your smile
Underground, it's quiet underground
Rolling in like thunder makes no sound
Peace of mind and empty all the time
Like sand under the snow, I make you mine




Overall Meaning

Kristin Hersh's song Fog is a contemplative piece that explores the theme of uncertainty, ambiguity and the search for inner peace. The song employs a metaphorical device of fog to convey a sense of confusion and disorientation that can be present in one's life journey. The opening lines of the song advocate for a patient, steady approach to life, advising the listener to keep walking, even in the face of adversity. The mention of fog as a likely occurrence on this path is accompanied by an instruction to rehearse a smile – an act of contriving cheerfulness – suggesting that navigating the unknown may require a certain amount of emotional discipline.


The second stanza draws an explicit comparison between the "underground" and the "fog." While the former is "quiet," the latter rolls in like "thunder" without producing any sound. This juxtaposition suggests that sometimes the things that are concealed beneath the surface, even if quieter, can be more ominous or impactful than what is plainly visible. Hersh's voice is soft and plaintive, expressing a deep yearning for peace of mind, but also indicating that such peace may often be elusive. The final two lines "Like sand under the snow, I make you mine" evoke the image of something delicate and fragile being buried under a heavy, cold covering. Here it is unclear whether the "you" being referred to is another person or an aspect of the self, but the singer's declaration of possession (or acquisition) suggests an attempt to exert control over the elusive and fragile.


Line by Line Meaning

Walk a mile, then walk another mile
Keep moving forward no matter how hard it gets


When you hit the fog rehearse your smile
Keep smiling through tough times, even when it's hard to see through the fog of uncertainty


Underground, it's quiet underground
When you're alone, it can be peaceful, but also lonely


Rolling in like thunder makes no sound
Problems can sneak up on you, even if they don't seem obvious at first


Peace of mind and empty all the time
Finding inner peace can be a lonely experience


Like sand under the snow, I make you mine
I will pursue you relentlessly, even if you try to hide from me




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HERSH

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