Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. The North Carolina duo have built a steady and growing fanbase with this kind of intimacy, and on Tides of A Teardrop, due out February 1, it is more potent than ever. By all accounts, it is the duo’s fullest, richest, and most personal effort. You can hear the air between them—the taut space of shared understanding, as palpable as a magnetic field, that makes their music sound like two halves of an endlessly completing thought. Singer-songwriter Andrew Marlin and multi-instrumentalist Emily Frantz have honed this lamp glow intimacy for years.
In the last three years, the group has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Rooster Walk, and MerleFest and the Omagh Bluegrass Festival. Mandolin Orange was the featured artist on CBS This Morning's Saturday Morning Sessions on December 7, 2019.
They signed to Yep Roc Records in 2013 and have produced four albums under their umbrella, This Side Of Jordan, Such Jubilee, Blindfaller and Tides of a Teardrop.
Cavalry
Mandolin Orange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone
Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
No, I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
I said these days I'm saving my strength for running
The song "Cavalry" by Mandolin Orange talks about the journey of a soldier who has carried many burdens and experienced a lot in war. The soldier speaks about how he has carried the world on his back with no more to gain, hinting at the exhaustion and the trauma that war can bring. He also mentions how he has seen where great heroes have fallen and how they have been immortalized in stone while he still remains nameless, the hero's best friend. It speaks about the sacrifices that soldiers make in war, often invisible, and how they are not always recognized or celebrated.
The second verse highlights the time when soldiers would go to war with primitive weapons, and how pride often determined their fate. The lyrics also denote that in the past, war was fought with blind hope and blinders, which refers to being unaware of the full reality of a situation. The soldiers, mostly the young men, carried between them all the death and glory with the faith that it is one and the same. The singer acknowledges the futility of war and how it can have a long-lasting impact on soldiers even when it is over, making it difficult to let go of the past.
The chorus, "Now I'm saving my strength for running," portrays the soldier's desire to escape or to get away from it all, to heal and take care of himself. He no longer wants to be part of the cavalry's charge or the stampede of thunder. He has seen enough and doesn't want to follow anyone down the path of war anymore. It's a powerful and emotional song that takes on the devastating effects of war on soldiers.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
I've carried heavy burdens in life but there's no longer anything left for me to achieve or strive for.
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
The enthusiasm and passion I once had for life has gradually dimmed and faded away over time.
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone
I've been to places where great heroes have died or been memorialized for their feats, but those heroes have long since passed away.
Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Despite being close to the hero, I am not recognized or remembered for my deeds like the hero is, but I am still the hero's loyal and trusted friend.
Now I'm saving my strength for running
I am no longer putting my energy into fighting or struggling, I'm just trying to escape and survive.
From the age of kings when pride decided all fate
During a time where pride determined people's destinies because they believed that they were superior to others.
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
Before mechanical weapons were used in wars and I was still aware and active during that era.
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
It was a time when young men had a naïve sense of hope and determination even though they were being sent to die in battles.
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Many young men who went to war believed that the prospect of dying in a heroic or honorable way made death and glory synonymous.
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
I have faced immense challenges that have tested me but there are no more achievements for me to attain.
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
The traditional symbols of strength and power in battle, swords and shields, were once carried on horseback by knights and soldiers.
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
The once thunderous and powerful cavalry charge is no longer meaningful or impactful to me.
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
There may be one final conflict or struggle, but I will not take part in it and instead will try to escape and survive.
No, I'm saving my strength for running
Once again reiterating that I am focused on escaping and surviving, rather than fighting or struggling.
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Continuing to emphasize that my priority is self-preservation and escape, not engaging in battle or conflict.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW MARLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@djibrildiawara602
Well, I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone
Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
From the age of kings when pride decided all fate
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
No, I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
I said these days I'm saving my strength for running
@hasta_luego_maricarmen
Well, I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
From the age of kings when pride decided all fate
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
No, I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
I said these days I'm saving my strength for running
@harveyjones1245
Well, I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone
Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
From the age of kings when pride decided all fate
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
No, I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
I said these days I'm saving my strength for running
Songwriter: Andrew Marlin
@geodesy2009
Can’t believe it’s been 9 years since I heard these two kids playing at a friends house in Chapel Hill. They’ve only gotten better and now are proud parents. They warmed my soul then and still do today.
@aaronluchterhand3527
I listen to this multiple times a day
@mandybuehler9471
Their best song in my opinion!
@candlestickmaker1000
I'm with you Mandy
@breakneckburns
Mandolin Orange just ooze quality and passion.
@louisevad6091
This song and especially this version live, is a once in a life time recording. It captures the essence of the vocals and instruments intertwining around a beautiful poem of loss and hope. Thanks to Mandolin Orange and audiotree for sharing a special moment in life
@I_am_Rosy
That song gives me the goosebumps every time I hear and not in a bad way. Beautiful, utterly beautiful.
@williamwillis1506
I've been singing this song over and over again because it's brought me so much comfort lately as I lost my 106 year old grandmother on Friday night
@kerryg100
Yep its lovely these two are from another planet .....unique. .....loved your church concert it was a revelation
Greetings from IRELAND 😉 we love you
@djibrildiawara602
Well, I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The fire in the sky-- a dim light in my eye that's long faded
And I've stood where heroes have fallen their names turned to stone
Yet I remain nameless, the best friend the hero has known
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
From the age of kings when pride decided all fate
Long before war machines took charge and I was still 'wake
It was blind hope and blinders, with young men to carry between
All the death and the glory; believin' they're one and the same
Now I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
Yes I've carried the world on my back with no more to obtain
The sword and the shield perched upon saddles and reins
But the stampedes of thunder, the cavalry's charge leaves me now
Your last war will come but I can not follow you down
No, I'm saving my strength for running
These days I'm saving my strength for running
I said these days I'm saving my strength for running