Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
The Ballad Of Love And Hate
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"My vacation's ending, I'm coming home late
The weather was fine and the ocean was great
And I can't wait to see you again"
Hate reads the letter and throws it away
"No one here cares if you go or you stay
I barely even noticed that you were away
Love sings a song as she sails through the sky
The water looks bluer through her pretty eyes
And everyone knows it whenever she flies
And also when she comes down
Hate keeps his head up and walks through these streets
Every stranger and drifter he greets
And shakes hands with every loner he meets
With a serious look on his face
Love arrives safely with suitcase in tow
Carrying with her the good things we know
A reason to live and a reason to grow
To trust and to hold and to care
Hate sits alone on the hood of his car
Without much regard to the moon or the stars
Lazily killing the last of a jar
Of the strongest stuff you can drink
Love takes a taxi, a young man drives
As soon he sees her hope fills his eyes
But tears follow after at the end of the ride
Because he might never see her again
Patience, patience, patience
Hate gets home lucky to still be alive
He screams over the sidewalk and into the drive
The clock in the kitchen says 2:55
And the clock in the kitchen is slow
Love has been waiting patient and kind
Just wanting a phone call or some kind of sign
That the one that she cares for who's out of his mind
Will make it back safe to her arms
Hate stumbles forward and leans in the door
Weary head hung down, eyes to the floor
He says, "Love, I'm sorry," and she says, "What for?
I'm yours and that's it, whatever
I should not have been gone for so long
I'm yours and that's it, forever
Your mine and that's it, forever"
The Avett Brothers' song "The Ballad Of Love And Hate" tells the story of two opposing forces, Love and Hate. Love writes a letter to Hate, expressing her excitement to return home after her vacation. Hate, on the other hand, simply throws away the letter and doesn't seem to care about Love's return. As Love travels back home, she sings a beautiful song, while Hate walks the streets alone, greeting strangers and loners with a serious look on his face. Love finally arrives home safely, but the young man who drives her taxi is heartbroken as she leaves him. Hate, however, arrives home drunk and lucky to still be alive, and apologizes to Love for his behavior, to which she responds that she is his forever and he is hers.
The song explores the complex emotions of love and hate and how they can coexist within a relationship. The contrast between Love's joyful and caring attitude and Hate's bitter and distant behavior creates an interesting dynamic between them. The lyrics also touch on the themes of patience, forgiveness, and loyalty, as Love patiently waits for her partner's return and forgives him despite his flaws and mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Love writes a letter and sends it to Hate
Love communicates their desire to return home to Hate while on vacation
"My vacation's ending, I'm coming home late
Love informs Hate of the end of their vacation and that they will be returning late
The weather was fine and the ocean was great
Love tells Hate about the pleasant weather and ocean during their vacation
And I can't wait to see you again"
Love expresses excitement at the prospect of being reunited with Hate
Hate reads the letter and throws it away
Hate disregards Love's message, showing disinterest in their return
"No one here cares if you go or you stay
Hate dismisses Love's presence and suggests they are unimportant
I barely even noticed that you were away
Hate claims to have hardly noticed Love's absence
I'll see you or I won't, whatever"
Hate shows indifference towards whether or not they see Love again
Love sings a song as she sails through the sky
Love expresses their joy by singing while flying through the sky
The water looks bluer through her pretty eyes
Love's perspective makes the water appear even more beautiful
And everyone knows it whenever she flies
Others can't help but notice Love's happiness when she's flying
And also when she comes down
Even when Love returns to reality, their happiness remains evident
Hate keeps his head up and walks through these streets
Hate walks through the streets with confidence
Every stranger and drifter he greets
Hate is friendly towards strangers and those who are lost
And shakes hands with every loner he meets
Hate tries to connect with those who may feel alone or isolated
With a serious look on his face
Despite his friendly demeanor, Hate appears serious in his actions
Love arrives safely with suitcase in tow
Love arrives to their destination without incident and with luggage in hand
Carrying with her the good things we know
Love brings with them positivity and joy
A reason to live and a reason to grow
Love brings purpose to life and encourages personal growth
To trust and to hold and to care
Love brings trust, affection, and compassion into relationships
Hate sits alone on the hood of his car
Hate takes a moment to reflect alone on the top of their car
Without much regard to the moon or the stars
Hate is uninterested in their surroundings
Lazily killing the last of a jar
Hate drinks from a jar, showing carelessness and lack of concern for their actions
Of the strongest stuff you can drink
Hate drinks excessively strong alcohol
Love takes a taxi, a young man drives
Love takes a taxi driven by a young man
As soon he sees her hope fills his eyes
The taxi driver becomes hopeful when they see Love
But tears follow after at the end of the ride
The taxi driver is saddened when they have to part ways with Love
Because he might never see her again
The taxi driver is concerned they may never have the opportunity to see Love again
Patience, patience, patience
A call for patience while waiting for a chance to see someone again
Hate gets home lucky to still be alive
Hate returns home, grateful to have made it back safely
He screams over the sidewalk and into the drive
Hate expresses their emotions loudly as they return home
The clock in the kitchen says 2:55
The clock shows the time of Hate's return
And the clock in the kitchen is slow
The clock is inaccurate, perhaps making time seem longer or shorter than it really is
Love has been waiting patient and kind
Love has been waiting with patience and kindness for Hate's return
Just wanting a phone call or some kind of sign
Love wants confirmation of Hate's safety and return
That the one that she cares for who's out of his mind
Love cares for someone who may be unwell or struggling with their mental health
Will make it back safe to her arms
Love hopes for the safe return of their loved one into their embrace
Hate stumbles forward and leans in the door
Hate enters, but doesn't seem to be in a stable state
Weary head hung down, eyes to the floor
Hate appears tired and sad upon their return
He says, "Love, I'm sorry," and she says, "What for?
Hate apologizes to Love, and they don't seem to understand why
I'm yours and that's it, whatever
Love reassures Hate that they belong to them and always will
I should not have been gone for so long
Hate expresses regret over their long absence
I'm yours and that's it, forever
Love reaffirms their commitment to a lifelong relationship with Hate
Your mine and that's it, forever"
Hate reciprocates Love's commitment and reassures them they belong together forever
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAWFORD, SCOTT YANCEY AVETT, TIMOTHY SETH AVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind