Ben Lovett on “The Wolf”:
"“The Wolf” came about halfway through our writing process. We had been kind of working on a bunch of songs […] and “The Wolf” was one that gave us a bit more conviction that we were ready to go. A lot of the album making process was done without the intention of making an album. We started writing songs and bringing them to the table purely for the sake of doing that and I remember the day that we played out “The Wolf” for the first time we knew that it was time to lock down a producer and get it done.[…] [“The Wolf”] provided that slightly harder edge that we had been looking for. […] It definitely had little a bit more grit than anything we had released previously, and helped us identify the album we were making."
Marcus Mumford on “The Wolf”:
"It’s really fun to play that one. You just get to wig out. It’s quite hard on the old vocals."
The Wolf
Mumford & Sons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your eyes follow like tracers in the night
And the tightrope, that you wander every time
You have been weighed you have been found wanting
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting waysI want to learn to love and kind
Cause you were all I ever longed for
Shelter, you better keep the wolf back from the door
He wanders ever closer every night
And how he waits, baying for blood
I promised you everything would be fine
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to look you in the eye
Cause you were all I ever longed for
Oh my gaze, love you know I want to let it go
We will stand out at the wonder of it all
And I will hold you in
And I will hold you in
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to look you in the eye
Cause you were all I ever longed for
You've been wandering for daysHow you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to look you in the eye
Cause you were all I ever longed for
The lyrics of "The Wolf" by Mumford & Sons captures the thrill of love and the fear of losing someone. The song begins with a heart full of fright, a feeling of being vulnerable, and the tracers of the night reflecting in the eyes of the person they are addressing. The tightrope is the metaphor of their relationship, where they have been tested and found wanting. Despite this, the person who speaks in the song still longs for the other, leaving behind their ways to learn to love them in kind.
The chorus is a warning that danger lurks nearby. The "wolf" is a symbol of temptation, desire, and everything that can ruin a relationship. The singer encourages their partner to guard themselves against this threat, promising that everything will be fine. The second verse echoes the sentiments of the first, amplifying the urgency to be with the person they love. The chorus repeats, strengthening the message of protection and sacrifice.
The bridge is a moment of surrender, expressing the desire to stare down at the wonder of it all and hold onto the moment. The final verse repeats the first, emphasizing the longing of the singer for their beloved. Overall, the song captures the feeling of being lost in love and the fear of losing oneself in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Wide-eyed with a heart made full of fright
You seem scared and nervous but passionate at the same time
Your eyes follow like tracers in the night
Your eyesight is overcoming the darkness of the night
And the tightrope that you wander everytime
You frequently walk on this metaphorical rope that represents your everyday struggles
You have been weighed, you have been found wanting
You have been evaluated and judged to be lacking
Been wondering for days
You've been thinking and questioning for a long time
How you felt me slip your mind
You're wondering why your presence has not been acknowledged by the person you love
Leave behind your wanton ways
Abandon your undisciplined and promiscuous behavior
I want to learn to love in kind
I want to love you with the same intensity and sincerity that you deserve
'Cause you were all I ever longed for
You're the one I have always wanted and desired
Sheltered, you better keep the wolf back from the door
You need to be protected from any danger or temptation
He wanders ever closer every night
The wolf - symbolizing a threat - is getting nearer and nearer
And how he waits begging for blood
The wolf is waiting and craving for a destructive outcome
I promised you everything would be fine
I have reassured you that everything will go well and to not worry
Hold my gaze love, you know I want to let it go
Focus on my eyes because I want to express my feelings deeply
We will stare down at the wonder of it all
We will contemplate and marvel at the amazing experience we have together
And I-I will hold you in it and I-I will hold you in it
I will cherish and embrace you during that moment
I want to look you in the eye
I want to connect with you emotionally and express my commitment
'Cause you were all I ever longed for
I've always desired you and you're the person I truly want
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN WALTER DAVID LOVETT, EDWARD JAMES MILTON DWANE, MARCUS OLIVER JOHNSTONE MUMFORD, WINSTON AUBREY ALADAR MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@klausderbar8203
Wide eyed, with a heart made full of fright
Your eyes follow like traces in the night
And the tightrope, that you wander every time
You have been wait you have been found wanting
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to learn to love and kind
Cause you were all I ever longed for
Shelter, you better keep the wolf back from the door
He wanders ever closer every night
And how he waits, baying for blood
I promised you everything would be fine
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to learn to love and kind
Cause you were all I ever longed for
Oh my gaze, love you know I want to let it go
We will stand out at the wonder of it all
And I will hold you in
And I will hold you in
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to look you in the eye
Cause you were all I ever longed for
You've been wandering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanting ways
I want to learn to love and kind
Cause you were all I ever longed for
@workofheart4627
Wide-eyed with a heart made full of fright
Your eyes follow like tracers in the night
And the tightrope that you wander every time
You have been weighed, you have been found wanting
Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to learn to love in kind
'Cause You were all I ever longed for
Sheltered, you better keep the wolf back from the door
[Album version:] He wanders ever closer every time
[Music video version:] He wanders ever closer every night
And how he waits, baying for blood
I promised you everything would be fine
Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to learn to love in kind
'Cause You were all I ever longed for
Hold my gaze love, you know I want to let it go
We will stare down at the wonder of it all
And I-I will hold you in it and I-I will hold you in it
Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to look you in the eye
'Cause You were all I ever longed for
Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to learn to love in kind
'Cause You were all I ever longed for
love, Damaris
@moniquedee5961
Mumford and Sons got me through the darkest period of my life. My life is much better now and I love them even more. I’m so grateful for you🙏🏿😘
@nickharrell3059
They got me through my divorce.. they really are great
@joelaustin5408
I'm a 56 year old Mumford & Sons late bloomer... but man I'm a ferocious fan now! My wolf is a runnin' and soul awakened!
@TeenageCommentator
One of the best songs from the album, I don't care what anyone says, this is amazing.
@BruceWayneReal
ryan hanson personally I like snake eyes better
@TeenageCommentator
ditmas is probably one of my favourites, they have yet to post any studio performances on it though, hopefully we'll see one soon.
@emjaisful
Tompkins square park is my favorite
@jacewilder9268
Same, also because they look so happy playing this song i can't help but love it
@gertjangijsbers1084
Just smoke is also one of the better ones.
@newpianotutorials
This song deserves to be huge - I think this might not chart that high but will be around for decades