Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Grendel's Mother
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
by pure force of will
i look down on the world
from the top of this lonesome hill
and you can run, and run some more
from here all the way to singapore
but i will carry you home in my teeth
you chew meat off the bone
i beat down the new path to the castle
i come naked and alone
i laid my son on the bier, i burned the wreath
fire overhead, water underneath
you can stand up or you can run
you and i both know what you've done
and i will carry you home
i will carry you home
i will carry you home in my teeth
The lyrics of The Mountain Goats song, "Grendel's Mother" seem to be about a powerful and fierce woman who is determined to seek revenge for a wrong that has been done to her. The first lines, "the cave mouth shines by pure force of will," imply that she is a solitary and determined figure who has overcome many obstacles on her journey. She looks down on the world from the top of a hill, implying that she has the upper hand in a situation. Even if someone tries to run away from her, she promises to carry them home in her teeth, indicating that she is unstoppable.
In the second verse, there is a contrast between her and the people in the great hall, who enjoy their luxuries and drink red wine while eating meat off the bone. She, on the other hand, is naked and alone and has taken a new and dangerous path to the castle. She has lost her son and burned his wreath, suggesting that she is in a state of mourning and her anger is fueled by grief. The lines, "you and I both know what you've done," suggest that whoever has wronged her is aware of their actions, and she is determined to carry out her revenge.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a woman who is, in many ways, isolated and alone but has incredible strength and determination. The themes of grief, revenge, and a sense of justice run strongly throughout the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
the cave mouth shines
The entrance to the cave is illuminated, possibly symbolizing that there is something important or significant within it.
by pure force of will
The singer is determined to exert their power and influence to achieve their goals.
i look down on the world
The singer has a sense of superiority and dominance over others.
from the top of this lonesome hill
The artist is isolated and alone in their position of power.
and you can run, and run some more
The artist is warning someone that they can try to escape, but they will ultimately be unsuccessful.
from here all the way to singapore
The distance or location of the escape attempt is irrelevant because the singer will catch them regardless.
but i will carry you home in my teeth
The singer will forcibly bring this person back to their domain and have complete control over them.
in the great hall you drink red wine
The person being addressed is enjoying luxury and comfort, possibly at the artist's expense.
you chew meat off the bone
The person being addressed is indulging in animalistic behavior, which may be perceived negatively by the artist.
i beat down the new path to the castle
The artist, possibly in a position of power or authority, is paving their way and creating their own destiny.
i come naked and alone
The singer is vulnerable, but this may also signify their strength in facing their enemies without any aid.
i laid my son on the bier, i burned the wreath
The artist has experienced personal loss and is possibly seeking revenge or retribution for it.
fire overhead, water underneath
This line is ambiguous but may symbolize the dual forces of destruction and creation that the singer possesses or has access to.
you can stand up or you can run
The person being addressed has a choice to either face the singer and submit or try to flee.
you and i both know what you've done
The person being addressed has committed a wrongdoing, possibly against the singer or someone close to them.
and i will carry you home
The artist reiterates their intent to take control and exert their dominance over this person.
i will carry you home
The repetition of this line emphasizes the artist's power and conviction.
i will carry you home in my teeth
The singer will either physically transport this person or will have complete control over them and their actions.
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.