The Road
Mumford & Sons and Emmylou Harris (feat. Jerry Douglas) Lyrics
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Before you go to the Holland Road,
With your heart like a stone you spared no time in lashing out,
And I knew your pain and the effect of my shame, but you cut me down,
You cut me down
And I will not tell the thoughts of hell
That carried me home from the Holland Road
To your callus mind, and from your corner you rose to cut me down,
You cut me down
So I hit my low, but little did I know that would not be the end,
From the Holland Road well I rose and I rose, and I paid less time,
To your callus mind, and I wished you well as you cut me down,
You cut me down
But I'll still believe though there's cracks you'll see,
When I'm on my knees I'll still believe,
And when I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found,
If you believe in me I'll still believe
And I'll still believe though there's cracks you'll see,
When I'm on my knees I'll still believe,
And when I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found,
If you believe in me I'll still believe
Mumford & Sons's song Holland Road is a song about a broken relationship and the struggles that come with the aftermath. The song begins with the singer confessing to being lost and asking the listener to count the cost before proceeding down Holland Road. This road serves as a metaphor for the difficult path ahead. The singer then acknowledges his own faults in the broken relationship and recognizes the hurt he caused. However, the other person responds with anger and cuts the singer down. The lyrics suggest that this was a turning point for the singer, but he rose up from hitting rock bottom and tried to move forward. The chorus is about the singer's unwavering belief in himself and his ability to carry on, even when faced with challenges.
The lyrics in the first verse reflect a sense of regret and a desire to make up for past mistakes. The use of the phrase "heart like a stone" suggests that the singer had put up a guard, and his behavior towards the other person was cold and unwelcoming. The other person responded in kind, causing further damage to the relationship. The line "I knew your pain and the effect of my shame, but you cut me down" implies that the singer had acknowledged his mistakes but was still met with resistance. This verse is a powerful exploration of the emotions and dynamics at play in a relationship, both before and after a breakup.
The chorus is a call to perseverance and faith in oneself, even in the face of adversity. The use of the phrase "cracks you'll see" suggests that the singer knows he is not perfect, but he still has the strength to carry on. The repetition of "I'll still believe" reinforces this sense of resilience and determination. Overall, the lyrics in Holland Road are a heartfelt exploration of the painful experiences that come with a broken relationship, and the struggle to move forward despite the hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
So I was lost, go count the cost, Before you go to the Holland Road,
I was lost and confused, please think about the consequences before going down a difficult path like the Holland Road.
With your heart like a stone you spared no time in lashing out, And I knew your pain and the effect of my shame, but you cut me down, You cut me down
You were so hurt and angry that you didn't hesitate to hurt me too, even though I knew I was at fault. Your words cut me deeply.
And I will not tell the thoughts of hell That carried me home from the Holland Road With my heart like a stone and I put up no fight To your callus mind, and from your corner you rose to cut me down, You cut me down
I won't describe the dark thoughts that plagued me as I returned from the difficult journey of the Holland Road. I was emotionally numb and didn't argue with your harsh words. You attacked me from a defensive position and hurt me again.
So I hit my low, but little did I know that would not be the end, From the Holland Road well I rose and I rose, and I paid less time, To your callus mind, and I wished you well as you cut me down, You cut me down
I reached my lowest point, but I didn't realize that it was just the beginning. I persevered and worked harder, ignoring your indifference. I hoped for the best for you even as you degraded me again.
But I'll still believe though there's cracks you'll see, When I'm on my knees I'll still believe, And when I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found, If you believe in me I'll still believe
Despite the flaws and imperfections, I will continue to have faith. Even when I am at my lowest, I will still hold onto my beliefs. Even if I'm not sure where I stand, I will still stand firm if you have faith in me.
And I'll still believe though there's cracks you'll see, When I'm on my knees I'll still believe, And when I've hit the ground, neither lost nor found, If you believe in me I'll still believe
Reinforcing the previous meaning, despite any signs of weakness or imperfection, I will still hold onto my beliefs. Even when I've hit rock bottom and don't know my place, I will still stand firm if I have the support of someone who believes in me.
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
@LJLW0629
I love how they just come on the stage and perform - no backup singers and dancers - no crazy costumes - no theatrics - pure talent!
@frankgasperini930
Absolutely. When you are that good--- you don't need any tricks or gimmicks at all!
@paulreutemann5953
YES!
@IvanVangansen-gf4eg
Happy birthday .. perfect song.
.Dire Straits.. M
Mike Knopfler
@MichaelBuchanan-qg8ii
I never realized until very recently how stunningly beautiful Emmy Lou's voice was, and together with Mark's vocals and guitar, sounds like something straight out of heaven, the harmony is perfect. It absolutely captured my heart and soul. Must be the most soulful song I've ever heard.
@oldnatty61
Wake the fuck up mother fucker! Not just voice.
@WildPhotoShooter
Emmylou has one of the most recognisable voices in the world, in harmony she cuts through beautifully, always complimenting the other vocalists.
@Peace_nJoy
I was thinking exactly same..
@michaelwells6797
Go back and listen to the Records recorded by Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou,they are some of the greatest duets ever sung. The Lady is Pure Class.
@philipnorman201
Hi all, I'm 72 years old. I live on a small Atlantic island in my retirement. Mark knopfler gets me through my day, I listen to his music every night. Thankyou Mark for the wonderful music you have created over the years, I will die a happy man.