He began experimenting with sound and four-track recording at the age of 11, eventually building an arsenal of instruments that included junk-shop organs and a home-built theremin. At the age of 14 he joined the pop-art collective Minty, a venture that caught the eyes and ears of Fat Cat Records, which went on to supply the youth with a computer and mixing tools for aid in his newfound audio experimentation. He left home at the age of 16 and formed Maison Crimineaux with his friend Fanny, which eventually found its way to France where the noisy duo played a show attended by electronic maestro Kristian Robinson (aka Capitol K), who went on to release Wolf's lauded 2003 debut. With Lycanthropy reaching number 39 in the NME's top LPs of the year, as well as receiving critical acclaim throughout Europe and America, Wolf decided to study composition at the Trinity College Music Conservatoire.
The results of that endeavor can be heard on his 2005 release Wind in the Wires, a dark collection of moody British folk and chamber pop with a chilly laptop sheen.
Wolf released his third album, and the first on a major label, The Magic Position, in February 2007. A concept album on the theme of love, the majority of it was written after the end of a long term intimate relationship. It featured collaborations with Marianne Faithfull and Edward Larrikin of Larrikin Love.
His fourth album, The Bachelor, was originally supposed to be part of a double album called Battle (the other disc was to be called The Conqueror). It was released on 1 June 2009. Guest musicians included Atari Teenage Riot's Alec Empire, actress Tilda Swinton, folk musician Eliza Carthy and avant-garde electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert.
Wolf's fifth album, Lupercalia, was released on 20 June 2011 by Hideout, a subsidiary of Mercury Records. Songfacts explains that the album title refers to the fertility and love festival which the ancient Romans celebrated between February 13-15 (the predecessor to Valentine's Day).
His latest release is a double album entitled Sundark and Riverlight, celebrating Wolf's 10 years as a recording artist. The album features acoustic re-recordings of songs from throughout his career, as well as previously unheard tracks.
Wolf Song
Patrick Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You monolith not scarred by fallout
Us wolves were right behind you and lucifer will never find you
Oh no!
the moon, let it guide you, when selene comes, we'll alll know how to fight
Dear fenrir, my saviour, come and eat the ones, we know who taste the best
And don't be afraid of the dark 'cause the darkness is simply a womb for the lonely
Swallow your pride and walk with us through the trees and hills
Oh yes! your english eyes they are turning red
I I I I oh I I I I
the moon, let it guide you and I shall find you a home in our heartland, a heart in our homeland
Until the moon is down, until the moon is down
The lyrics of Patrick Wolf's song Wolf Song are open to interpretation, but they seem to evoke a sense of belonging and acceptance. The singer in the song addresses someone who seems to feel out of place and lost, inviting them to walk tall and fearless beneath the trees. The reference to fallout and scarred monoliths suggests a world that has been damaged and destroyed, but the wolves are still there as a symbol of resilience and wildness.
The line "the moon, let it guide you" is a key image in the song, representing the idea of trusting one's instincts and letting go of fear. Selene is an ancient Greek goddess of the moon, and invoking her name suggests a connection with the natural world and the cycles of life and death. The line "Dear fenrir, my saviour" is a reference to Norse mythology, where Fenrir is a giant wolf who is both feared and revered as a symbol of chaos and power.
Overall, the lyrics of Wolf Song are poetic and somewhat mystical, inviting the listener to embrace the wild and unknown parts of themselves. The imagery of the moon, wolves, and dark forests creates a sense of mystery and danger, but also a feeling of awe and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk tall beneath these trees boy
Be strong and confident amidst the challenges in life.
You monolith not scarred by fallout
You are resilient and not weakened by any negativity.
Us wolves were right behind you and lucifer will never find you
We are your protectors and you are safe from any harm.
Oh no!
Expressing a sense of urgency or warning.
The moon, let it guide you, when selene comes, we'll alll know how to fight
The moon will show you the way and when the time comes, we will be ready to defend ourselves.
Dear fenrir, my saviour, come and eat the ones, we know who taste the best
Calling upon Fenrir, the wolf god, to punish those who have wronged us.
I know just where you've been boy, I've watched you by the stream
I have been keeping an eye on you and I am aware of your experiences.
And don't be afraid of the dark 'cause the darkness is simply a womb for the lonely
Do not fear loneliness or isolation because they can nurture and bring growth.
Swallow your pride and walk with us through the trees and hills
Be humble and join us in our journey through life.
Oh yes! your english eyes they are turning red
Expressing admiration for someone with a fierce and determined gaze.
I I I I oh I I I I
Repeating a vocalization without a clear meaning or context.
The moon, let it guide you and I shall find you a home in our heartland, a heart in our homeland
The moon will lead you to a place where you belong and where you are loved.
Until the moon is down, until the moon is down
Until the end of the night, until the end of our journey.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PATRICK WOLF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind