They released their debut album Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down - which contains the UK Top 10 hit 5 Years Time - in August of 2008.
A year later, following the end of a relationship between Charlie Fink and Laura Marling, the band released The First Days Of Spring, a concept album written about Laura. It came with a film to accompany the album, written and directed by Charlie.
The band's third album Last Night on Earth was released in March 2011. This album produced a hit single with L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N., which sold over 242,000 copies in the UK that year.
In 2013 their fourth album, Heart of Nowhere, was released. This release was also accompanied by a short film of the same name.
The band announced their split on 1 April 2015, stating that the band members would pursue solo musical projects.
Hold My Hand As I'm Lowered
Noah and the Whale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And please don't see me as a coward
For death, I do not forsake thee
Though your dark stare is always upon me
Well, I fell in love with a world in you
Well, I fell in love with a world in you
'Cause my poor life makes you none the richer
Oh, your cold hands are clutching at cloth
I leave nothing on Earth that won't rot
Well, I fell in love with the world in you
Well, I fell in love with the world in you
Well, I fell in love with the world in you
And now I feel cold
Well, I fell in love with the world in you
And now I feel holier
The song "Hold My Hand As I'm Lowered" by Noah and the Whale is a powerful ballad about death and acceptance. The lyrics express the singer's fear of death and his plea for comfort as he faces his mortal end. The first verse begins with a request to hold the singer's hand as he is lowered, reassuring the belief that even though he is not strong enough to face death alone, he is not a coward. The fear of death is a common human sentiment, and it is shown here by the line "For death, I do not forsake thee, though your dark stare is always upon me."
The second verse speaks of the singer's love for the world and how he hopes that his life makes a difference, even in death. The lyrics "O Death, do not feel like the victor, 'cause my poor life makes you none the richer," convey the idea that even in death, the singer hopes to remain victorious. The lines "I leave nothing on Earth that won't rot" take on added meaning as they imply that all earthly possessions are meaningless and temporary.
The chorus is the most poignant part of the song. It repeats the refrain "Well, I fell in love with the world in you" three times, emphasizing the idea of finding love and meaning in the world, even as the singer is faced with death. The final lines, "And now I feel cold, and now I feel holier," are especially moving, as they convey the idea that death is both a painful and a sacred experience.
Overall, "Hold My Hand As I'm Lowered" is a beautiful and moving song that touches on the universal human experience of mortality, fear, and ultimately, acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold my hand as I'm lowered
As I descend into my grave, offer me your support and presence
And please don't see me as a coward
Don't judge me for my fear of death or my inability to escape it
For death, I do not forsake thee
Despite my fear, I accept that death is inevitable and unavoidable
Though your dark stare is always upon me
Death is constantly looming and watching, waiting for its opportunity
Well, I fell in love with a world in you
I found meaning and beauty in your presence and existence
O Death, do not feel like the victor
Even though Death will ultimately claim me, it has not won a true victory over my life
'Cause my poor life makes you none the richer
My death doesn't benefit Death in any tangible way
Oh, your cold hands are clutching at cloth
The physical manifestation of Death is cold and ominous, reaching out to claim me
I leave nothing on Earth that won't rot
In death, all material possessions or accomplishments are meaningless and will eventually decay
And now I feel cold
As I face Death, I feel physically and emotionally cold
And now I feel holier
My acceptance of death and my spiritual beliefs have given me a sense of sanctity or purity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES FINK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@niamhbrowne4995
I want this played at my funeral. NATW, I fell in love with the world in your music.
@kaylabankes8839
This is the first song to ever spark a tear from me. I am so thankful for this song.
@Plottoberry
Laura wrote ''Blackberry Stone'' as a response.
@bluefumeskid
Love this song. It somehow reminds me of Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights
@baliux19
I fell in love with a world in you
@illiteratefilipino2073
It hurts
@edlikesthis
beautiful song
@charu2596
Laura Marling's Blackberry Stone brought me here :')
@Z03G
this, is, amazing. first time i've ever listened to this song, and it is beautiful! ahhh just so blissful and happy! :') <3
@PigmyPuffNargles
Does anyone else think this is a perfect Gus song for The Fault In Our Stars?