Wagner has been writing songs since the age of 16. Her self-titled debut album was released in February 2011 by the Finnish indie label Kioski. It was later released in United Kingdom and Europe by Bone Voyage Recordings and in North America by Friendly Fire Recordings. In August 2012 Time Magazine listed Wagner as one of the ″11 Great Bands You Don’t Know (But Should)″. Although her debut album was not a big success, it caused a lot of attention and in February 2014 Wagner was signed by the American record label Sub Pop.
Wagner's second album When the Cellar Children See the Light of Day was released in August 2014. The album peaked number one at the Finnish Album Chart. It was a nominee for the 2014 Nordic Music Prize which is an annual award for the Best Nordic Album Of The Year. She won the prize.
On 21 April 2015, Wagner performed on the music television show Later... with Jools Holland.
She also did the trailer song for Gore Verbinski's 2017 film A Cure for Wellness, which was a cover of The Ramones song "I Wanna Be Sedated".
The Dirt
Mirel Wagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know the well is dry
Sing me songs one more time
The wind is raging
and the birds won't fly
Nothing to eat,
and nowhere to hide
It's gonna be alright
Tell me the stories one more time
Where the grass is green
And the water runs wild,
where forever is forever
And noone has to die
'Cause you can't drink the dirt,
even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt
Even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt
Even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt,
you'll be the dirt
Mama,
I know I'm ready now
I'm not afraid
You don't need to cry
Just close my eyes,
and wake up into a new life
Mama,
there is no need to cry
'Cause you can't drink the dirt,
even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt
Even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt
Even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt,
you'll be the dirt
The lyrics of Mirel Wagner's song "The Dirt" are full of despair and hopelessness as told through the eyes of a child seeking comfort from her mother amidst the harsh realities of poverty and hunger. In the first stanza, the child expresses her knowledge that the well is dry and the birds won't fly. With nothing to eat and nowhere to hide, she seeks solace in her mother's songs and stories of a better world where the grass is green and the water runs wild, and death is not a certainty.
The second stanza portrays the child's acceptance of her fate and readiness to move on to the next life. She assures her mother that she is not afraid and that there is no need to cry. The chorus, "you can't drink the dirt, even if you wanna, you can't eat the dirt, even if you wanna, you can't breathe the dirt, even if you wanna, but you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt" is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death and how, no matter how much we want to avoid it, we will end up in the dirt eventually.
The song is a somber reflection on the struggles of life and the things we cannot change, but it also serves as a message of hope and resilience. Through the child's unshakable faith in her mother's stories and her willingness to face death without fear, the song reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, I know the well is dry
Child acknowledging that their surroundings are harsh and scarce
Sing me songs one more time
Child asking for comfort through music
The wind is raging and the birds won't fly
Describing a chaotic, frightening environment
Nothing to eat, and nowhere to hide
Summing up the dire situation the child is in
Mama, it's gonna be alright
Child seeking reassurance from parent
Tell me the stories one more time
Child asking for comforting stories of hope and happier times
Where the grass is green and the water runs wild, where forever is forever and no one has to die
Description of an ideal, peaceful place that provides hope and comfort
'Cause you can't drink the dirt, even if you wanna
Life is tough and some things are impossible, no matter how much we desire them
You can't eat the dirt even if you wanna
Another example of how impossible things can be in tough times
You can't breathe the dirt even if you wanna
Reinforcing the idea that some things are impossible no matter how much one may want them
But you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt
Harsh reality that everyone returns to the earth/death, but it doesn't have to be a negative thing
Mama, I know I'm ready now, I'm not afraid
Child has come to terms with their mortality and is ready to accept what comes next
You don't need to cry, just close my eyes and wake up into a new life, Mama there is no need to cry
Child comforting parent, who is sad about what will happen next
Writer(s): Mirel Wagner Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Mgb Scandinav, Playground Music Publishing AB
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
judithmoi
"Momma, I know the well is dry
Sing me a song one more time
The wind is raging and the birds won't fly
Nothing to eat and nowhere to hide
Momma it's gonna be alright
Tell me the story just one more time
Where the grass is green and the water runs wild
Where forever is forever and no-one has to die
Because you can't drink the dirt even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt
Momma, I know I'm ready now
I'm not afraid, and you don't need to cry
Just close my eyes and wake up into a new life
Momma, there's no need to cry
Because you can't drink the dirt even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt"
Stephanie Brendle
This is a hauntingly beautiful video. Mirel's voice is so clean and pure, it's a lovely contrast to the simple twang of the guitar. I adore the shift in lyrics that occur when the electric guitar enters.
glumbunny
Less is more, and Mirel is soooo much more. Amazing stuff.
judithmoi
"Momma, I know the well is dry
Sing me a song one more time
The wind is raging and the birds won't fly
Nothing to eat and nowhere to hide
Momma it's gonna be alright
Tell me the story just one more time
Where the grass is green and the water runs wild
Where forever is forever and no-one has to die
Because you can't drink the dirt even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt
Momma, I know I'm ready now
I'm not afraid, and you don't need to cry
Just close my eyes and wake up into a new life
Momma, there's no need to cry
Because you can't drink the dirt even if you wanna
You can't eat the dirt even if you wanna
You can't breathe the dirt even if you wanna
But you'll be in the dirt, you'll be the dirt"
BroderHugos
My my. Mirel is the best. Such raw brutal perfection.
Alec
this song makes me wanna lie down beneath dusty floorboards & listen to mice scurry through my bones
Spencer Gordon
Alec you need help
Luɑne ɑntonelle
Que voz maravilhosa!
Brurbina •
Luɑne ɑntonelle Aaaaaaaa demais
KuinKuu
I've listened to this song many times but I never realized how tragic the story in this song was until I actually read the lyrics just now.
Mandelduft
Just ~wow~ to the voice, the lyrics, the video, ... the woman!