The Lonely Forest is a rock band from Anacortes, Washington comprised of si… Read Full Bio ↴The Lonely Forest is a rock band from Anacortes, Washington comprised of singer/guitarist/keyboardist John Van Deusen, guitarist Tony Ruland, drummer Braydn Krueger, and bassist Eric Sturgeon. The band formed in 2005, then released the EP Regicide and won the Experience Music Project competition in 2006. Ruland left the band shortly after the release of the EP in late 2006. The band's first album, Nuclear Winter, was released in August, 2007. Ruland rejoined the band in 2008. The Lonely Forest released its second album, "We Sing The Body Electric!" in April 2009. The band signed with Chris Walla's label imprint, Trans Records, and released a self-titled five song EP in September 2010. The band's newest full-length album is entitled Adding Up the Wasted Hours and was released October, 2013.

Cygnus
The Lonely Forest Lyrics

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I listen now to the wind howl
Whispering rhymes here and there
And my mind's open wide
Tell me all I long to hear

My God, why must they argue?
Why must we all disagree?
Now the skies open wide

Spitting punishment out on the streets

And I fear we can't turn back
From all the lives we've lost
Do we know how much it costs?
We must forgive ourselves

Waging a war based on hatred
See what we have become
A world defined by lies
Oh Lord, Thy will be done

And I fear we can't turn back
From all the lives we've lost
Do we know how much it costs?
We must forgive ourselves

He spoke the truth, he knew all along
I must return home and leave at once

We will follow the stars to the northern cross
There we will find our one true home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Lonely Forest's song Cygnus is a thought-provoking reflection on the sad reality of the world, filled with war and hatred. The first verse of the song mentions the winds howling and whispering rhymes, and the singer's mind is open and receptive, hoping to hear something meaningful. However, the lines take a darker turn with the lyrics "And my mind's open wide, Tell me all I long to hear, My God, why must they argue? Why must we all disagree?" The singer expresses frustration with the world's conflicts and the resulting chaos that often ensues. The skies open wide, spitting punishment out on the streets, and the singer fears that it may be too late to turn back from all the lives lost.

The second verse of the song expands on the theme of war and hatred, explaining the consequences of the world's actions. The lyrics "Waging a war based on hatred, See what we have become, A world defined by lies, Oh Lord, Thy will be done" highlights the singer's fear that humanity has lost its way. The world may have become defined by lies, and people may have lost sight of the truth. The singer implores that they need to forgive themselves for the actions that led to the chaos and destruction.

Line by Line Meaning

I listen now to the wind howl
I'm paying attention to the sound of the wind

Whispering rhymes here and there
Sometimes the wind seems to be speaking in rhymes

And my mind's open wide
I'm receptive to what the wind has to say

Tell me all I long to hear
I hope the wind has the answers I'm seeking

My God, why must they argue?
I'm frustrated by people's tendency to argue

Why must we all disagree?
I don't understand why we can't all get along

Now the skies open wide
It seems like a storm is brewing

Spitting punishment out on the streets
The storm is dangerous and destructive

And I fear we can't turn back
I'm worried that we've gone too far

From all the lives we've lost
We've already suffered too much

Do we know how much it costs?
We need to take responsibility for the consequences of our actions