Matthew Stephen Ward (b 4th October 1973, Newbury Park, California), known … Read Full Bio ↴Matthew Stephen Ward (b 4th October 1973, Newbury Park, California), known by his stage name M. Ward, is a U.S. singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work, he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.

Ward was previously with the band Rodriguez, which included bassist Kyle Field (of Little Wings fame) and drummer Mike Funk. They recorded and released on cassette Box Plots and Cash Crops and then the album Swing Like a Metronome in 2000. Duet for Guitars #2 was released on Howe Gelb's Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia, was released by Future Farmer Records, and his subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & the Voices of Strangers, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows. His next album, Transfiguration of Vincent, was released in 2003, followed by Transistor Radio in 2005. A year later, Post War was released.

In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce, the John Fahey tribute album, I Am the Resurrection. He also contributed the song "Transfiguration #1" from Transfiguration of Vincent to the Brushfire Records soundtrack for A Brokedown Melody, a Jack Johnson surfing film.

His album, Hold Time, was released in 2009. The album A Wasteland Companion followed in 2012. The album title alludes to T.S. Eliot's 1922 modernist poem, The Waste Land. In 2016, he released More Rain. On June 8, 2018, M. Ward released What a Wonderful Industry.

Side Projects

In 2008 M. Ward combined forces with Zooey Deschanel and became She & Him. They have released two albums so far, Volume One in 2008 and Volume Two in 2010. He is also one fourth of the folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk, alongside Jim James from My Morning Jacket, and Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes. Their self-titled release, Monsters of Folk, was released in 2009.

* Official website

Deep Dark Well
M. Ward Lyrics

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Deep, dark well
It's a deep, dark well
It's the deepest and the darkest well that I have ever found
Hear me calling you from deep down

Well I had wishes, I had dreams that I could not tell
So I dropped my silver dollars down that wishing well

Deep, dark well
It's a deep, dark well
It's the deepest and the darkest well that I have ever found
Hear me calling you from deep down

Well I've had visions, I've had dreams that could not come true
'Cause I leaned too close, that's when I fell in to my..

Deep dark well,
It's a deep dark well

It's the deepest and the darkest well that I have ever found
Hear me calling you from deep down

Overall Meaning

The song "Deep Dark Well" by M. Ward speaks of a well, which is described as the deepest and the darkest well that the artist has ever found. This well is likened to the depths of the human soul, which can be full of secrets, dreams, and wishes that are hidden deep within. Through the use of imagery, the singer is calling out to someone from the depths of this well, indicating that he may be feeling trapped and in need of rescue.

The phrases "I had wishes, I had dreams that I could not tell" and "I've had visions, I've had dreams that could not come true" suggest that the singer has unfulfilled desires and aspirations that are too personal or too difficult to share with others. The act of dropping silver dollars down the well is a symbolic gesture of making a wish or asking for something to come to fruition. However, the fact that the well is deep and dark hints at the possibility that these dreams may never come true.

The chorus, which repeats the phrase " Hear me calling you from deep down" several times, is a plea for help and connection. It is possible that the singer has fallen into his own "deep dark well," feeling isolated and alone, and is calling out for someone to hear him and rescue him from his struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

Deep, dark well
The singer is describing a well that is unusually deep and dark.

It's a deep, dark well
The singer confirms that the well they're talking about is indeed very deep and dark.

It's the deepest and the darkest well that I have ever found
The singer emphasizes that they have never come across a well that is as deep and dark as this one before.

Hear me calling you from deep down
The artist seems to be calling out to someone from inside the well, indicating that they might have fallen in and are stranded.

Well I had wishes, I had dreams that I could not tell
The artist had secret wishes and dreams that they kept to themselves.

So I dropped my silver dollars down that wishing well
The singer attempted to make their wishes come true by throwing coins into a wishing well.

Well I've had visions, I've had dreams that could not come true
The singer experienced aspirations that were impossible to achieve.

'Cause I leaned too close, that's when I fell in to my..
The artist got too close to the well and fell in, suggesting that their dreams were too ambitious and caused them to stumble.

Deep dark well,
The artist repeats the opening line to emphasize the all-encompassing nature of the well.

It's a deep dark well
The depth and darkness of the well is confirmed once again.

It's the deepest and the darkest well that I have ever found
The singer repeats their previous assertion that this is the most profound and shadowy well they have come across.

Hear me calling you from deep down
The artist's earlier plea continues to be repeated, urging someone to listen to them from the depths they have found themselves in.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Stephen Ward

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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