Of wolf and man
Metallica feat. San Francisco Symphony with Michael Kamen Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics of Metallica's "Of Wolf and Man" describe the primal urge of hunting and living in harmony with nature. The song begins with the singer running through the mist and claiming that he hunts, therefore he exists. He also harvests the land and takes the fallen lamb, which could be interpreted as a symbol for survival in a harsh environment. The singer also talks about shifting and pulsing with the earth, keeping company with others like him, and roaming the land while others sleep.
Throughout the song, the singer describes his connection with nature and his ability to shape-shift, feeling like he has been transformed into a wolf. He moves swiftly and all his senses are clean, which signifies a heightened level of awareness and freedom. The moon is bright, high in starlight, and the air is cold as steel which creates a sense of urgency and danger. The singer calls upon the listener to seek the wolf and not the man, and the song ends by stating that seeking the meaning of wolf and man may lead back to a better day.
Overall, "Of Wolf and Man" is a powerful tribute to the primal power of nature and the human need to connect with that power. The song deals with themes of survival, connection, transformation, and the importance of preserving nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Off through the new day's mist I run
I'm eager to start the day and run out into the mist
Off from the new day's mist I have come
I have emerged from the mist of a new day
I hunt therefore I am
My ability to hunt gives me purpose and identity
Harvest the land
Gathering resources from the earth is necessary for survival
Taking of the fallen lamb
Using the remains of a dead animal for sustenance
We shift pulsing with the earth
We move in rhythm with the movements of the earth
Company we keep
We are part of a group that sticks together
Roaming the land while you sleep
While others rest, we explore and move freely through the land
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Transforming into another form to better sense our surroundings
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Transformation allows me to fully experience and understand the world
Move swift, all senses clean
Be agile and alert in order to fully appreciate the world
Earth's gift, back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of life
Nature provides us with everything we need to survive and thrive in life
Bright is the moon, high in starlight
The moon is luminous, surrounded by a starry sky
Chill is the air, cold as steel tonight
The air is icy and biting, making us more alert
We shift, call of the wild
Our transformation is linked to our primal instincts and impulses
Fear in your eyes, it's later than you realized
Others realize too late the danger they're in when they encounter us
I feel I change
My transformation is a powerful experience
Back to a better day
Transformation brings me back to a time when things were simpler and more natural
(Shape shift) hair stands on the back of my neck
Transformation triggers a primal response, making my hair stand on end
(Shape shift) in wildness is the preservation of the world
In nature's wildness lies the key to preserving and protecting the world
So seek the wolf and not the man
Embrace the natural world and its primal instincts, rather than sacrificing them for the sake of civilization
Earth's gift
Nature provides us with everything we need for survival
Back to the meaning (back to the meaning) of wolf and man, yeah
Returning to our primal instincts and embracing our connection to nature helps us better understand our place in the world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES ALAN HETFIELD, KIRK L. HAMMETT, LARS ULRICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind