Nemoralia
Patrick Wolf Lyrics


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There passed a summer
where our children went to war
with conviction without cause
furnaces in the borough I was born

dreaming echelons
above my station
the corners I walked in
I waited and watched
on the corners
I dreamt on in my youth
in my youth

heartless
heartless

now I dream of orion
sword by side
sword by side
protect the night

hearthless
hearthless




sans coeur
tout sans coeur

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Patrick Wolf’s song “Nemoralia” seem to describe the angst-filled musings of someone who has strongly been affected by war. The first verse sets the tone of the song – a summer goes by where people’s children went to fight a war without really understanding why they were fighting. It is said with somber emotion, as if the singer is lamenting the loss of many young lives. The next lines reveal the singer’s attachment to their birthplace – “furnaces in the borough I was born” suggests that they are from an industrial town, and this is where the song’s themes of longing and loss come into play. The industrialization of the town is further underscored by the use of the word “echelons,” a term that’s often used in the military context.


The second verse is more introspective, as the singer reflects on their younger days spent dreaming on the corners of their town. The use of the word “heartless” is intriguing – it suggests that the singer feels somewhat betrayed by their past or by life in general. The tone of sadness and nostalgia continues with the repetition of the word “hearthless” – a reference to the fact that there’s no warmth or welcome when one returns home. The final line, “tout sans coeur,” is a somewhat cryptic French phrase that translates to “all without heart.” This is fitting, given the overarching themes of war, loss and regret that reverberate throughout the song.


Line by Line Meaning

There passed a summer
A period of time went by


where our children went to war
During which young people went to war


with conviction without cause
Fighting with unwavering belief, but without a valid reason


furnaces in the borough I was born
Industrial furnaces located in my birthplace


dreaming echelons
Aspiring to higher levels of society


above my station
Beyond my social class


the corners I walked in
The streets and areas I frequented


I waited and watched
Patiently observing and monitoring my surroundings


on the corners
On those same streets and junctions


I dreamt on in my youth
I had aspirations and hopes when I was young


in my youth
During my early years


heartless
Lacking compassion or kindness


heartless
Compassionless


now I dream of orion
Currently, I have aspirations related to the constellation Orion


sword by side
Accompanied by a sword


sword by side
Carrying a weapon


protect the night
Safeguarding the darkness of the night


hearthless
Having no hearth or home


hearthless
Lacking warmth or comfort


sans coeur
Without heart, soul or feelings


tout sans coeur
Everything lacking emotions and empathy




Contributed by Isaac F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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