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.
THE WOLVES
Mandolin Orange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At my door you're welcome in
There can be no transgression
As a means to an end
On the wind the wolves are howling
Open arms are closed in fear
Helping hands are clenched in anger
Broken hearts beyond repair
Everything's so great, can't get better
Makes me wanna cry
But I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
With her keen and watchful eye
And the heart of a mother
Holding out her guiding light
It's a hard road to travel
It's old rock from end to end
The sun, it rises on her brow
And sets upon the great expanse
Everything's so great, can't get better
Makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
Her gaze facing the East
At her back our doors are closing
As we grin and bare our teeth
On the wind the wolves are howling
She cries to draw them near
Well turn around, turn around my darling
Oh, the wolves are here
Everything's so great, can't get better
Makes me wanna cry
But I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
Yeah, I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
The song "The Wolves" by Mandolin Orange is a powerful commentary on the state of human relationships and the world at large. Beginning with welcoming words of hospitality, the lyrics then take a darker turn as they describe the sound of wolves howling on the wind, representing the fear and mistrust that can creep into even the most open-hearted communities. The juxtaposition of closed fists and broken hearts highlights the damage that can be done when suspicion starts to take over, leaving relationships unable to be repaired.
The second half of the song introduces a figure who stands tall and mighty, with a mother's heart and a guiding light. This figure represents the hope and compassion that can counter the destructive tendencies of fear and mistrust. However, the song ends on a somewhat ominous note, with the wolves still howling and the doors being closed behind the figure's back. The final lines of the song suggest a desire to howl at the moon, which can be interpreted as a release of pent-up frustration or a call for help and solidarity.
Line by Line Meaning
At my gate I'll always greet you
I will always welcome you to my life.
At my door you're welcome in
You are always welcome to my home.
There can be no transgression
We must always behave well and do what's right.
As a means to an end
We shouldn't commit bad deeds to get what we want.
On the wind the wolves are howling
There is danger out there in the world.
Open arms are closed in fear
People are becoming less welcoming due to fear.
Helping hands are clenched in anger
People are becoming more angry and less helpful.
Broken hearts beyond repair
Many people are feeling hurt and it may never heal.
Everything's so great, can't get better
Life is currently very good.
Makes me wanna cry
I am overwhelmed with emotions.
There she stands, so tall and mighty
I see strength and resilience in her.
With her keen and watchful eye
She is always alert and aware of her surroundings.
And the heart of a mother
She has a nurturing and caring heart.
Holding out her guiding light
She is a beacon of hope and guidance for others.
It's a hard road to travel
Life can be very difficult and challenging.
It's old rock from end to end
The journey may be long and tiring.
The sun, it rises on her brow
She is resilient and can handle anything.
And sets upon the great expanse
The end of the day is vast and wide open.
Her gaze facing the East
She is looking to the future with hope and optimism.
At her back our doors are closing
We are shutting ourselves off and becoming less welcoming.
As we grin and bare our teeth
We are becoming more aggressive and confrontational.
She cries to draw them near
She is calling for peace and understanding.
Well turn around, turn around my darling
We need to change our ways and become more welcoming.
Oh, the wolves are here
The danger is now here and it's time to act.
But I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
Despite the difficulties, I will still find joy and celebrate life.
Yeah, I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
I will find strength and courage to face the challenges ahead.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Andrew Marlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Casey Hardison
"At my gate I'll always greet you
At my door you're welcome in
There can be no transgression
As a means to an end
On the wind the wolves are howling
Open arms are closed in fear
Helping hands are clenched in anger
Broken hearts beyond repair
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
With her keen and watchful eye
And the heart of a mother
Holding out her guiding light
It's a hard road to travel
Solid rock from end to end
The sun, it rises on her brow
And sets upon the great expanse
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
Her gaze facing the east
At her back our doors are closing
As we grin and bare our teeth
On the wind the wolves are howling
She cries to draw near
Turn around, turn around my darling
Oh, the wolves are here
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
Yeah I'll go out howling at the moon tonight"
John C
As good as their records are, their live performances are always so much better, and there's not many bands you can say that about.
John C
Leonard Adrian ?
Hannah Israelsen
I love that she doesn't doll up with makeup and is so gorgeous! Also, this band is so under appreciated! Real amazing music
Jackson Reese
Yea I have a huge crush on Emily
Thomas Maher
Over the course of a year - my favorite artists...by a lot...great story telling....Andrew so good at weaving in an issue that he cares about while not letting it define the song...harmonies and band as tight as tight comes...LOVE THEM!
Casey Hardison
"At my gate I'll always greet you
At my door you're welcome in
There can be no transgression
As a means to an end
On the wind the wolves are howling
Open arms are closed in fear
Helping hands are clenched in anger
Broken hearts beyond repair
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
With her keen and watchful eye
And the heart of a mother
Holding out her guiding light
It's a hard road to travel
Solid rock from end to end
The sun, it rises on her brow
And sets upon the great expanse
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
There she stands, so tall and mighty
Her gaze facing the east
At her back our doors are closing
As we grin and bare our teeth
On the wind the wolves are howling
She cries to draw near
Turn around, turn around my darling
Oh, the wolves are here
Everything's so great can't get better, makes me wanna cry
That I'll go out howling at the moon tonight
Yeah I'll go out howling at the moon tonight"
Joyce Darouse
Thank you
Jeffrey Robbins
They, Gillian & David and the Avett Brouhers are all in a class by themselves. Music from the heart and nice people.
Jakob
So rich with emotion. One of their best..
Luke Potosky
I love this song. I listen to it all the time. I discovered this song about 2 years ago.