Led by songwriters Isaac Horn and Lincoln Mick and with Bailey Warren on fi… Read Full Bio ↴Led by songwriters Isaac Horn and Lincoln Mick and with Bailey Warren on fiddle, The Arcadian Wild confidently inhabits and explores an intersection of genre, blending the traditional with the contemporary in order to create a unique acoustic sound that is simultaneously unified and diverse. With roots in formal vocal music and influences from progressive bluegrass and folk, The Arcadian Wild offer up songs of invitation; calls to come and see, to find refuge and rest, or to journey and wonder. Over the course of 2020, The Arcadian Wild released Principium, a four-movement song-cycle that explores human relationship, flourishing, degradation, and redemption, culminating in the release Principium EP in February 2021, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart. Resumed touring found the band playing to increasingly large and enthusiastic audiences in 2021 and 2022, with shows often morphing into impromptu sing-alongs, a true collaboration and connection between artist and audience. The release of two new singles in Fall 2022 gave their followers just a taste of a newfound well of creativity, with more to come in 2023!

Stay tuned and come along to journey and wander.

Hey Runner!
The Arcadian Wild Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Welcome, let me take you to
Your very own private room
Whatever you need is on the way, from the absurd to the insane
Remember I’m a volunteer

I know your people have people
And I know this should make my day
There’s none with whom I’d rather spend my afternoon, than with an ego that can fill a room

But still, still all I hear:

You better run fast. Get it done, even if it takes all night
I don’t know what else you’ve been told, but I’m above that
And if I change my mind, it’ll be alright
It’s not like you’ve got somewhere to be

Run fast. Don’t forget who I am and I don’t ask twice
And while you’re at it would you mind to read mine
Cause I needed that last week, but take your time
It’s not like I’ve got somewhere to be

Go, take a ride on your high horse
And don’t you to wait to ask for more
I’ve got an eternity of time to abuse, never mind it’s all for you to use
I’m still just a volunteer

You better run fast. Get it done, even if it takes all night
I don’t know what else you’ve been told, but I’m above that
And if I change my mind, it’ll be alright
It’s not like you’ve got somewhere to be

Run fast. Don’t forget who I am and I don’t ask twice
And while you’re at it would you mind to read mine
Cause I needed that last week, but take your time
It’s not like I’ve got somewhere to be

I got somewhere to be
I’ll never get there while you’re stepping on me
I’m caught beneath your vanity
So why do I keep running?

You better run fast. Get it done, even if it takes all night
I don’t know what else you’ve been told, but I’m above that
And if I change my mind, it’ll be alright
It’s not like...

Run fast. Don’t forget who I am and I don’t ask twice
And while you’re at it would you mind to read mine

Cause I needed that last week, but take your time
It’s not like I’ve got somewhere to be

Overall Meaning

The Arcadian Wild's song Hey Runner! is a satirical take on the relationship between an entitled individual and their willing enabler. The song kicks off with the enabler welcoming the entitled person into their private room, promising to fulfill all their absurd and insane desires. The enabler acknowledges that the entitled individual's ego can fill a room, but still, they hear the same demand over and over again - "You better run fast. Get it done, even if it takes all night."

The chorus repeats this demand, and the "volunteer" enabler continues to fulfill these unrealistic expectations. However, there is a sense of dissatisfaction and irony present in the tone of the lyrics. It's clear that the enabler resents being stepped on and is caught beneath the entitlement and vanity of the entitled person. Still, they keep running despite the fact that they have somewhere else to be.

The lyrics of Hey Runner! are a commentary on the power dynamics between people and the lengths that individuals go to retain power, even if it means relying on enablers. The song's chorus emphasizes the theme of entitlement and the burden it places on those who enable it. The Arcadian Wild cleverly juxtaposes the entitled person's demands with the volunteer's acknowledgment of their position - their willingness to do whatever it takes to fulfill that person's needs, even if it means sacrificing their own time and energy. The song ultimately serves as a reminder that entitlement and the abuse of power have consequences, regardless of the lengths people go to maintain them.

Line by Line Meaning

Welcome, let me take you to
I am offering to show you around

Your very own private room
A space where you can have alone time

Whatever you need is on the way, from the absurd to the insane
I will get you anything you want, no matter how strange or difficult it may be

Remember I’m a volunteer
I am offering my assistance without expecting anything in return

You better run fast. Get it done, even if it takes all night
You need to hurry and finish your task quickly, possibly at the expense of your well-being

I don’t know what else you’ve been told, but I’m above that
I am better than others who may have given you advice

And if I change my mind, it’ll be alright
If I alter my opinion, it won’t cause any harm

It’s not like you’ve got somewhere to be
You don’t have any other obligations or places to go

Run fast. Don’t forget who I am and I don’t ask twice
I am reminding you to complete your task quickly, while also taking note of my authority

And while you’re at it would you mind to read mine
Can you also take a look at something for me?

Cause I needed that last week, but take your time
I have been waiting for some time, but there is no rush

Go, take a ride on your high horse
Act arrogantly and without regard for others

And don’t you to wait to ask for more
Don't hesitate to ask for additional favors or assistance

I’ve got an eternity of time to abuse, never mind it’s all for you to use
I can misuse my time and energy for your benefit

I’m still just a volunteer
I am still doing this out of the goodness of my heart

I got somewhere to be
I have my own commitments that I need to attend to

I’ll never get there while you’re stepping on me
Your demands and requests are making it difficult for me to complete my own tasks

I’m caught beneath your vanity
Your excessive pride and self-importance are weighing me down

So why do I keep running?
I am questioning why I continue to prioritize your needs over my own

It’s not like...
There is no need to rush or feel pressure

Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ISAAC WAYNE HORN, LINCOLN DANIEL MICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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