Peter Mulvey (born 6 September 1969) is an American folk singer-songwriter … Read Full Bio ↴Peter Mulvey (born 6 September 1969) is an American folk singer-songwriter based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since the early 1990s, he has developed a strong national following in the indie folk/rock scene through his relentless touring and critically acclaimed albums. Starting his musical career in Milwaukee while at Marquette University, he honed his performing skills while traveling in Dublin, Ireland. He later spent several years in Boston, where he frequently performed in the city's subway system. He is best known for his warmly wry songwriting and his intense percussive guitar style.

Mulvey self-released his first demo tape, Rabbit Talk, in 1992; this was followed that same year by his first major album Brother Rabbit Speaks (which was re-issued in 2001). Since then he has released more than a dozen albums. His music has featured on NPR's shows "All Songs Considered" and "Weekend Edition", as well as the television show "Felicity".

www.petermulvey.com

November
Peter Mulvey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Close my door
Close my eyes
Press my fingers to the glass
Why does November drag its heels when October never seems to last?

The television tells us love can make a mute man speak or
Make a closed man walk outside
But time sheds its light on all that I wanted to hide

I get off the train I stumble 'round the Square
I look for the poems at my feet
You and I come home
And there we bitch and moan
'bout all the perfect lovers that we never seem to meet
You'd better let someone love you instead of pushing us all away
Until time rolls right over all that you wanted to say

I know you are hurting
I see you tied up in knots over there
But these are the days we are given
They are precious we must live them I swear
This could be the last warm day in a cold and ugly November
When it's all over, what are you going to remember?

Hey old one up there
Where's the snow where are the lighted windows of our passing age?
You know you never told us of the bitter cold
Trying to find the heart inside each well-built cage
Still I forgive you
I would not have it any other way
I can say it only once more, I love you
Stay

Stay
Stay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Peter Mulvey's song "November" capture the feeling of the transition from the fall season to winter, and the changing moods and emotions that come with this time of year. The first stanza describes the feeling of isolation and longing that often accompanies the colder, darker days of November. The singer feels closed off from the outside world, pressing his fingers to the glass as if longing for something just out of reach. He questions why November feels so slow and dragging, when October always seemed to fly by.

The second stanza references the idea of love as a transformative force, but the singer acknowledges that time has a way of revealing truths and uncovering our hidden desires. He returns to the theme of isolation and loneliness, describing coming home to complain about the lack of perfect lovers in their lives. The singer encourages his partner to be open to love instead of pushing people away, because time is too precious to waste holding onto regret.

The final stanza is addressed to a divine figure, asking about the hardships and challenges of aging and the passing of time. The singer forgives this figure for not revealing the difficult truths about life, and declares his love and desire for them to stay. Overall, the song captures the complexity and range of emotions that come with the changing of seasons, and the importance of finding love and connection in spite of the darkness that winter can bring.

Line by Line Meaning

Close my door
I retreat from the world and seek solace in my personal space

Close my eyes
I shut out the external chaos and reflect internally

Press my fingers to the glass
I feel the emotional distance between myself and the world outside

Why does November drag its heels when October never seems to last?
November feels interminably long and dreary, while the vibrant, fleeting October passes by in a flash

The television tells us love can make a mute man speak or Make a closed man walk outside But time sheds its light on all that I wanted to hide
Although the media romanticizes love as a transformative force, in reality, time reveals all my innermost secrets and hidden desires

I know you are hurting I see you tied up in knots over there But these are the days we are given They are precious we must live them I swear This could be the last warm day in a cold and ugly November When it's all over, what are you going to remember?
I empathize with your pain and recognize the temporary nature of life, urging you to make the most of every moment and cherish the memories

Hey old one up there Where's the snow where are the lighted windows of our passing age? You know you never told us of the bitter cold Trying to find the heart inside each well-built cage Still I forgive you I would not have it any other way I can say it only once more, I love you Stay Stay Stay
As I address a higher power, I wonder about the bleakness of the world and the lack of guidance provided to us. Despite this, I choose to forgive and express my unconditional love, begging for a continued presence and stability in my life

Lyrics © AMERICAN MUSIC RIGHTS ASSOCIATION., Royalty Network
Written by: JOHN ABERCROMBIE, MARC JOHNSON, PETER ERSKINE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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