Of Wolf and Man
Metallica Lyrics


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Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
I hunt therefore I am
Harvest the land
Taking of the fallen lamb

Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
We shift pulsing with the earth
Company we keep
Roaming the land while you sleep

Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift, back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of life

Bright is the moon, high in starlight
Chill is the air, cold as steel tonight
We shift, call of the wild
Fear in your eyes, it's later than you realized

Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of life

I feel I change
Back to a better day
(Shape shift) hair stands on the back of my neck
(Shape shift) in wildness is the preservation of the world
So seek the wolf and not the man

Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean




Earth's gift
Back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of wolf and man, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Of Wolf and Man" written by the legendary heavy metal band, Metallica, describes the hunter's primal instinct that drives him in his pursuit of prey. The opening verses of the song suggest that the singer is running through the morning mist, away from it, to hunt. The lyrics "I hunt, therefore I am. Harvest the land. Taking of the fallen lamb" are a reference to the primal instinct of hunting. The hunter identifies himself through his pursuit of prey and by claiming the land as his own.


The song talks about the connection between nature and humans. The lyrics suggest that humans are not separate from nature but are a part of it. The phrase "Shape shift, nose to the wind" suggests that the hunter is not only physically present in the wild but is also in tune with it. The words "Feeling I've been. Move swift, all senses clean" suggest that the hunter is operating on instinct, moving in the shadows, and stalking his prey. The lyrics emphasize the natural connection between mankind and the animal kingdom.


Furthermore, the chorus "Back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of wolf and man" suggests that there is a kinship between the two, and it is essential for humans to understand and preserve their natural instincts. The phrase "in wildness is the preservation of the world" suggests that it is essential to embrace the natural world and not subdue it since it is when we hunt, feel the wind and smell the earth that we are most at home.


Line by Line Meaning

Off through the new day's mist I run
I am constantly on the move to find a sense of purpose


Off from the new day's mist I have come
I aim to seek excitement and adventure in my life


I hunt therefore I am
I define myself through the hunt and gather mentality of survival


Harvest the land
I seek to find everything natural on this earth that helps me grow and thrive


Taking of the fallen lamb
I devour and feast off my environment to meet my own needs


We shift pulsing with the earth
My instincts take over and I seek to be one with nature


Company we keep
I seek companionship and loyalty in those who also understand the importance of our primal instincts


Roaming the land while you sleep
I never take a break and search for my purpose day and night


Shape shift, nose to the wind
I become one with the wolf and seek to understand the physical nuances of our natural world


Shape shift, feeling I've been
I fully embrace the primal instincts of my wolf persona


Move swift, all senses clean
I am in tune with my surroundings and act quickly to avoid danger


Earth's gift, back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of life
I have found the true essence of life through connecting with the earth and its natural cycles


Bright is the moon, high in starlight
The strength of nature's beauty invigorates and inspires me


Chill is the air, cold as steel tonight
Even in moments of fear, my primal instincts remain sharp and alert


We shift, call of the wild
My wolf persona emerges to answer the needs of our natural world


Fear in your eyes, it's later than you realized
Those who don't understand nature's call are often too late to protect themselves


I feel I change
I transform with each moment, growing and evolving as I listen to my primal instincts


Back to a better day
By embracing my wolf persona, I move towards a more authentic and fulfilling existence


(Shape shift) hair stands on the back of my neck
As I fully connect with my wolf instincts, I feel the surge of power and connection to the earth


(Shape shift) in wildness is the preservation of the world
Our natural world can only be preserved if we connect with our primal instincts and maintain our connection with the earth


So seek the wolf and not the man
I encourage others to embrace their primal instincts in order to fully connect with themselves and the natural world


Back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of wolf and man, yeah
Our deep, primal instincts connect us as one being, both part wolf and part human




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Kirk L. Hammett, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Nino Amora


on No Remorse

im a dieharn fan of metalica

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