The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid
The Decemberists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mother I can hear your foot-fall now
Soft disturbance in the dead-fall how
It proceeds you like a black smoke pall
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you delivered me from danger then
Pulled my cradle from the reedy glen
Swore to save me from the world of men
Still the wanting comes in waves
In waves
And waves
And the wanting comes in waves
And the wanting comes in waves

And I want this night
And I want this night
Oh

How I made you
I wrought you, I pulled you
From war I labored you
From cancer I cradled you
And now

This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid

Remember when I found you
The miseries that hounded you
And I gave you motion
Anointed with lotions
And now

This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid

Mother hear this proposition right
Grant me freedom to enjoy this night
And I'll return to you at break of light
For the wanting comes in waves
And waves
And waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you owe me life
And you owe me life

And if I grant you this favor to hand you
Your life for the evening
I will retake by morning
And so
Consider it your debt repaid
Consider it your debt repaid




Repaid
Repaid

Overall Meaning

The Decemberists's "The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid" is a story of a debt owed and repaid, between a mother and child. The lyrics are a conversation between the two, with the child addressing the mother's past protections and the mother asking for recompense. The first verse starts with the child hearing the mother's footsteps, and describes how the sense of the mother's presence still hangs over them like a cloud. They acknowledge the way that the mother has saved them from harm, from the "world of men," but despite this, they cannot help the wanting that comes in waves. The next verse is the mother's response, with her calling attention to how she has tirelessly cared for the child, from cancer and war, and how she deserves something in return. She reminisces how she found the child in a time of misery and brought them to their current existence.


In the final part of the song, the mother asks for a favor, for the freedom to enjoy one night. The child agrees but warns the mother that they will take back their life when morning comes. The song ends with the mother acknowledging that the debt has been repaid.


Line by Line Meaning

Mother I can hear your foot-fall now
I am aware of your presence, mother.


Soft disturbance in the dead-fall how
I can sense your quiet approach through the forest.


It proceeds you like a black smoke pall
Your looming presence is heavy and suffocating, like a dark cloud.


Still the wanting comes in waves
I am still plagued by a strong desire for something.


And you delivered me from danger then
You protected me and kept me safe in troubled times in the past.


Pulled my cradle from the reedy glen
You saved me from harm as a helpless infant hidden in the tall grass.


Swore to save me from the world of men
You made a promise to protect me from the harsh realities of the human world.


And I want this night
I have a specific desire for tonight.


How I made you
I am responsible for your creation and existence.


I wrought you, I pulled you
I carefully crafted and shaped you to be who you are.


From war I labored you
I worked hard and sacrificed greatly to keep you safe from violence and conflict.


From cancer I cradled you
I lovingly cared for you through your battle with illness and supported you every step of the way.


This is how I am repaid
This is the thanks I receive for my efforts.


Remember when I found you
Recall the time when I came to rescue you.


The miseries that hounded you
The troubles and hardships that pursued you relentlessly.


And I gave you motion
I provided you with the freedom and ability to move and live your life.


Anointed with lotions
I delicately cared for you, nursing your wounds or ailments with healing oils or medicine.


Mother hear this proposition right
Mother, listen carefully to what I propose.


Grant me freedom to enjoy this night
Allow me the liberty to indulge in my desire for tonight.


And I'll return to you at break of light
I will come back to you before daybreak.


And you owe me life
You have a debt to me for bringing you into existence.


And if I grant you this favor to hand you
If I agree to do you this kindness.


Your life for the evening
I will allow you to enjoy this night as I take on the duties and responsibilities normally required of you.


I will retake by morning
I will assume my rightful role once again at the start of the day.


Consider it your debt repaid
You should regard this as full payment for your debt to me.


Repaid
Compensated in full.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: COLIN MELOY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions