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 Road
Mirel Wagner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where the road leads I will go
and it's a hard and a crooked life
when you're a dead man's unwedded bride
the hay moves slow
where the road leads no one knows
and it's a hard and a crooked life
when you're a dead man's unwedded bride
who's gray and old
says the hardest thing I know
is to see your loved ones go
down goes the road
where the wildflowers grow
there's a lake that's dark deep and cold
there I shall lay my bones
down I go
gonna lay my bruised bones
and the hardest thing they'll know
just let go
just let me go
Mirel Wagner's hauntingly beautiful song "The Road" is a reflection on the inevitability of death, the harsh realities of life, and the pain of losing loved ones. The opening lyrics "the hay hung low, where the road leads I will go" establish a sense of uncertainty and an acceptance of a journey into the unknown. The hay moving slowly and the fact that no one knows where the road leads further emphasize this sense of ambiguity.
The repetition of the phrase "it's a hard and a crooked life when you're a dead man's unwedded bride" describes the difficulty of living on in the wake of loss and the struggle to find one's own place in the world. This theme is further developed in the stanza that centers around the gray and old man sitting by the road. His statement that the hardest thing he knows is to see loved ones go underscores the universality of the pain of loss, regardless of age or time period.
The song ends with a sense of finality and resignation as the singer talks about laying her bones by a dark, deep, and cold lake. The repetition of "just let go, just let me go" underscores the inevitability of death and the desire to be released from the struggle of life.
Overall, "The Road" is a powerful meditation on the universal experiences of love, loss, and death.
Line by Line Meaning
the hay hung low
The sadness and mourning is present everywhere, even in the air.
where the road leads I will go
The author accepts the uncertain future ahead and is willing to brave the unknown path.
and it's a hard and a crooked life
The journey ahead is tough and filled with obstacles.
when you're a dead man's unwedded bride
The author feels like she is a burden to the society and nobody wants to marry her or commit to her, just like the dead man whose past she can't escape.
the hay moves slow
The sorrow and grief is omnipresent and hard to shake.
where the road leads no one knows
The future is a mystery and the path ahead is unpredictable.
down by the road sits a man
A wise old man is present by the roadside, guiding people on their paths.
who's gray and old
The man has been alive for a long time and has seen many things.
says the hardest thing I know
The wise old man shares his knowledge and insights with the author, trying to make her understand what lies ahead.
is to see your loved ones go
The author must face the pain and loss of her loved ones passing away, and it is one of the hardest things to bear.
down goes the road
The journey continues, and the author must move on despite the hardships.
where the wildflowers grow
In the midst of despair and sadness, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
there's a lake that's dark deep and cold
The final resting place of the author is a cold and dark lake, which is symbolic of the emotional state of the author and the end of the journey.
there I shall lay my bones
The author has accepted her fate and is ready to let go of her mortal body.
down I go
The author must depart from this world, and there is no turning back now.
gonna lay my bruised bones
The author's body is tired and beaten, and it is time to let go and rest.
and the hardest thing they'll know
The author acknowledges and understands that her death will be hard on her loved ones.
just let go
The author wants her loved ones to grieve and eventually move on, letting go of their attachment to her.
just let me go
The author accepts her fate and wishes for a peaceful death.
Contributed by Adeline L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.