Elverum explained this change in an 2003 interview with Discorder, asserting that "Mount Eerie is a new project. The Microphones was completed, or at least at a good stopping point. I did it because I am ready for new things. I am new."
As Mount Eerie, Phil typically works with synthesizers, guitars, drums, and the accenting voices of Mirah, The Blow, and fellow K-Records/Anacortes, Washington friends. Mount Eerie's album "Seven New Songs of Mount Eerie" was also the first recording released on Phil's new label, P.W.Elverum & Sun. All songs from that recording are available for free download in the Internet Archive.
See Me
Mount Eerie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last time you saw me
End over end I was thrown
I endlessly groaned
"Hold my hand. Won't someone come surf me?"
And of course no one came
You stood and watched the wash of water
And there I stayed
And quickly decayed
Then we all swapped molecules
Now with the wave of my hand
I command you to see me
I'm more like a mountain this time
Unmoving alpine decked in fog
I'm concealed in snow clouds
You're the farmer below
And if you've seen my face once
Then through twelve cloudy months
You will know I am there behind curtains
You'll know mountain light
Through thickness of night
See me
Mount Eerie's song See Me tells a story of transformation and the passage of time. The lyrics are rich with metaphor and symbolism, evoking the image of a log tossed about in the waves of the sea, eventually decaying and becoming part of the very molecules that make up the natural world. The log represents a cycle of life and death, highlighting the fleeting nature of existence and the inevitability of change.
As the song progresses, the log transforms into a mountain, a grand and majestic symbol of permanence and stability. The mountain is obscured by snow clouds and fog, further emphasizing its enigmatic and unchanging nature. The farmer below, a symbol of groundedness and connection to the earth, serves as a witness to the mountain's presence, even in the darkest and most obscured of moments.
Overall, See Me is a powerful exploration of the relationship between nature and humanity, and the fundamental truths that underlie our existence. It speaks to the power of transformation, the beauty of nature, and the ongoing cycle of life and death that shapes our world.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a log in the waves
I was once powerless and at the mercy of the uncontrollable forces around me, just like a log in the waves.
Last time you saw me
At the last time that you witnessed me, I was in a state of vulnerability and weakness.
End over end I was thrown
I was being tossed and turned, feeling disoriented and lost in my surroundings.
I endlessly groaned
I was constantly in a state of complaining, feeling tired and dissatisfied with my situation.
"Hold my hand. Won't someone come surf me?"
I was metaphorically reaching out for help, hoping someone would come to my aid and rescue me.
And of course no one came
Unfortunately, my plea for help went unanswered, and I was left to deal with my struggles on my own.
You stood and watched the wash of water
You were an observer, watching passively as I struggled and suffered.
Wedge me hopelessly into the sea wall
I was trapped, unable to break free from the confines of my problems and the environment that surrounded me.
And there I stayed
I was stuck in my predicament, unable to move or progress in any way.
And quickly decayed
As time passed, my situation worsened, and I began to deteriorate and suffer more intensely.
Then we all swapped molecules
Everything is interconnected and constantly changing, and I became a part of something else as I decayed and decomposed.
Now with the wave of my hand
Things have changed, and now I have the power to affect and influence the world around me.
I command you to see me
I demand to be acknowledged and recognized by others, to have my voice heard and my presence felt.
I'm more like a mountain this time
I have become more resilient and strong, like a mountain that is immovable and steadfast.
Unmoving alpine decked in fog
Just like a mountain that is shrouded in mist and obscurity, I am difficult to fully understand or comprehend.
I'm concealed in snow clouds
My true essence is veiled and hidden, obscured by the many layers of complexity and mystery that surround me.
You're the farmer below
You are the one who is grounded and rooted in the earth, who cultivates and tends to the things around you.
And if you've seen my face once
If you have witnessed me in the past, then you will recognize me again, even when I am hidden and obscured from view.
Then through twelve cloudy months
Even over a long period of time, through many obstacles and challenges, you will still be able to recognize me and see my influence.
You will know I am there behind curtains
Despite my many layers of mystery and concealment, you will still be able to sense my presence and feel my impact on the world around us.
You'll know mountain light
You will understand the beauty and majesty of the things around you, and appreciate the natural wonder and awe of the world.
Through thickness of night
Even when things get dark and difficult, you will still be able to appreciate the beauty and light of the world around you, and draw strength from it.
See me
Ultimately, the song is about the desire to be seen and recognized for who we truly are, even when we are hidden and obscured from view, and our struggles to find our place in the world and overcome the challenges we face.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Phillip Whitman Elvrum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind